Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[seabourndt]

thanks foir the info on the tivoli restaurant on CORONIA i found it on my cruise on that ship,

hi saga ruby not sure about my comments, they do so they really look after you on saga which is why i wanted to try it. but whilst they were helpful, liked the singles party(only had one of them) no follow up i guess it's difficult on a short cruise. the waiters in the lido took away all my food and drink while i went for another course(know i should have put my napkin on the chair) then i got on the ship trhere was no one to tell me where my cabin was(never mind showing me to my cabin) what exatly did you experience that they did that iother cruiselines do not?

dave

[franu]

the waiters in the lido took away all my food and drink while i went for another course(know i should have put my napkin on the chair)

Dave, I know how you feel. It is a problem that all solo diners have. Each of us must find our own solution. One suggestion is to have a book with you and leave it on the table. Most service people will see it as a sign to wait before removing it. Some will ask someone in their immediate area to tell the service person that you will be returning.

 

I think we need to develop an international sign that lets people know that the table is in use.

Fran

[Saga Ruby]

What exactly did you experience that they did that other cruiselines do not? dave

 

Waiters using proper service techniques of fork and spoon, serviette placed in my lap, I never felt that the ship was "banquet dining" and therefore never felt rushed to order, eat, and leave. And I do so enjoy a single sitting for dinner. Room service was spot-on with freshly cooked food, prompt service, freshly uniformed waiters. None of this was my experience on Celebrity Cruises.

 

Every staff member looked me in the eye and said Good Morning. No cabin steward on either ship ever tried to roust me out of the cabin for their servicing schedule (I have heard many tales about this on other cruise lines, including one cabin attendant who was nicknamed The Warden).

 

When I indicated that I wanted to learn a few words of Tagalog, the entire hotel staff helped me learn. When I gave notes to the tour office about a private driver for Reykjavik, the assigned guide was abfab and had a copy of my list in his hand.

 

Never a misstep, never anything but prompt action with problems real or perceived which is difficult on an older ship. Due to many problems with my inside cabin on Saga Ruby, I was moved to a large outside cabin after 3 days. I went to dinner, came back to my inside cabin, and every single article of clothing, magazines, and cosmetics were moved to the larger cabin with every single item stored properly in its place. An incredible act of kindness and service by my cabin steward.

 

The only snooty staff member was the bartender on Saga Rose on Lido Deck who sniffed and hesitated when I asked for one glass of water and one glass of ice. For a moment, I thought he was going to refuse. As far as the singles parties, I have no knowledge about them.

 

Evidently you were disappointed in the service on your 5 days onboard Saga. I hope you find a favourite in your future sailings. I have found mine.

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Ruby, I sent my post-cruise report to my travel agent yesterday, and will tweak it for publication here and in the Celebrity board sometime over the next few days.

 

I got my issue of "Sea Lines" magazine yesterday. According to it, The Topaz (ex-Empress of Britain) is believed to be heading for Alang. The Peaceboat Organization has replaced her with Clipper Pacific (ex-Song of Norway). As I was on Song of Norway in 1982, I certainly will take a look at her when she is here on August 8.

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Ruby - I was seeking information on Orlova for my daughter who is booked in January.

 

I know she was keen on the longer journey, which includes Falkland and South Georgia Islands.

[Druke I]

You beat me to it again!

 

I was going to tell you about the neat photo of Saga Ruby on RevNeal's Eurodam thread, but I see you have already posted there!

 

Oh well.

[Saga Ruby]

You beat me to it again! I was going to tell you about the neat photo of Saga Ruby on RevNeal's Eurodam thread, but I see you have already posted there! Oh well.

 

It's that two-hour time difference between Texas and California. I see posts before you do. And I know the results of sporting events before you Caleeforneeyans do.

 

Wa-hahahaha!

 

Ruby

[Saga Ruby]

I got my issue of "Sea Lines" magazine yesterday. According to it, The Topaz (ex-Empress of Britain) is believed to be heading for Alang. The Peaceboat Organization has replaced her with Clipper Pacific (ex-Song of Norway). As I was on Song of Norway in 1982, I certainly will take a look at her when she is here on August 8. Donald.

 

Thanks for pointing out the EoB's fate. I was stunned when y'all told me that she was still sailing as Topaz. At least I know she's leaving the water after a fine career.

 

 

I know this is a different ship, but did y'all see this note about Clipper Princess on the HAL board?

"1200 passengers from the cruise line Peace Boat, the Clipper Princess, are stranded in NYC after the US Coast Guard declares the ship unsafe due to numerous safety violations. Amont them are damaged life boats, damaged life jackets and a leaking hull."

Uggghhh!

 

Ruby

[Druke I]

I believe the HAL poster was in error on the name.

 

Several other reports/sources say it is the Pacific Clipper, ex Song of Norway, that has been detained in NYC by the US Coast Guard, for several seaworthiness violations, including but not limited to a leaking hull and lifeboat inadequacies.

[Saga Ruby]

I believe the HAL poster was in error on the name. Several other reports/sources say it is the Pacific Clipper, ex Song of Norway, that has been detained in NYC by the US Coast Guard, for several seaworthiness violations, including but not limited to a leaking hull and lifeboat inadequacies.

 

The Greek ships taught me to pay attention to safety details, but "a leaking hull" brings that subject into a whole 'nuther stratosphere. My heart goes out to the passengers who thought they were going on a cruise and were lucky to stay out of the inadequate lifeboats. That was a close one. Let's hear it for US Coast Guard inspectors who keep us Americans safe upon the high seas.

 

Ruby

[Druke I]

Yes, the Coast Guard does perform wonderfully.

 

Way back when, I almost enlisted in the Coast Guard, but did not want to be assigned to a weather ship in the middle of the ocean (yes, before satellites, there were weather ships out there!).

 

Instead, I enlisted in the Army. I have often wondered how my life might have differed had I become a "Coastie" instead of a "midnight ****" (MP).

 

Interesting - system censors Peter Ida Mary Peter.

[Kapricorn]

Hi to all! I've copied and pasted from the Celebrity Board my review on last week's cruise on Mercury.

 

 

The baggage handlers at Vancouver’s Ballantyne Pier were slow and insolent in accepting our luggage and placing them on the pallets. One of them ignored me and my one suitcase, and went to a couple with three suitcases, who had arrived after me. Perhaps he scented better tips from them. I called to him, “Hello!” and he turned around, shrugged, and took away my suitcase. Certainly no tip from me!

The boarding check-in proceeded quickly. I arrived at the Pier at 11:20am and was aboard the ship at 11:40am.

 

At least eight of the staff recognized me from previous cruises, and they welcomed me cordially. Two of the bar servers remembered my beer preference, and even my name, despite the fact that I last sailed on Mercury a year ago.

 

The lifeboat drill has a new system. Staff members with lists of cabin numbers were stationed at the entrances to the muster stations. They marked off those whose occupants showed up for the drill, as well as the number of people in each cabin.

 

The menu in the Palm Springs Café has some changes plus the addition of a section offering Asian breakfast. Cereal dispensers replaced the small boxes, perhaps as a nod to environmental concerns by generating less garbage. People now have a choice of full size or regular size coffee mugs. Even though there were new coffee machines, coffee continued to be bad. I nearly spat out my first sip. Remembering from previous cruises that a better quality of coffee was in the machine across from the Palm Springs Grill, I tried it, and it was still better, so I had coffee from there on afterwards. By the way, the waffles at the Grill were delicious as usual!

 

Ice cubes in the buffets and cold stations were replaced with black river rocks, which is supposed to require less energy than continually making ice. These rocks looked interesting. A puzzling thing is that at breakfast half-grapefruits are now always out of reach - every morning I had to ask the server to hand one to me. The other fruit slices are within reach.

 

Throughout the week, dress codes were not enforced. Several men wore jeans in the dining room, even on informal nights, and I even saw one pass my table in shorts on his way in. At my table and the three others surrounding us, on informal nights I counted only three out of 15 men wearing sports jackets. I understand that Celebrity will eliminate the informal dress code on August 1, which is just as well. The terms “informal” and “casual” can be rather confusing.

 

On Mercury’s sister-ship Galaxy, the large forward observation area on Deck 11 is always open to passengers, with also a sculpture on dais for their inspection. However, on Mercury that area has been blocked off for the past several years. The only other forward observation area on that ship is on Deck 14, accessible only by two decks of stairs, impossible for those who have mobility issues. I asked an Officer for the reason of the “no admittance” signs, and he was taken aback by my query. He mumbled something about “antennas” and “security” and “unfortunately, that’s the way it is, but I hope that you enjoy the rest of the ship.” Clearly there are specific reasons for the closure of that observation area which he is not allowed to divulge to passengers.

 

Mercury did not approach Hubbard Glacier, but halted in Yakutat Bay, due to the quantity of loose ice in the water from prodigious calving of the glacier. It must be due to global warming. Passengers had to peer through binoculars to see the glacier a few miles away. When I was on Mercury in July last year, she was able to go near the glacier.

 

The Martini Bar bartender is Suana, from Bali. He entertained us nightly with juggling and swirling of bottles, glasses and shakers. Non-drinkers often came in just to observe the action.

 

Donald.

__________________

[Saga Ruby]

Donald - thanks for posting the comments on your recent cruise. I have questions.

 

Where is the "entrance" to the muster stations? So you don't go out onto the deck and stand by your lifeboat?

 

What is an Asian breakfast?

 

How interesting that the observation area is restricted.

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Where is the "entrance" to the muster stations? So you don't go out onto the deck and stand by your lifeboat?

 

There are four or five muster stations on the ship - in the casino, theatre, lounge, etc. We are not assigned to specific lifeboats, but to these muster stations. In an actual emergency, for example a conflagration in the area of a couple of lifeboats, there is no sense for assigned occupants to go to these lifeboats.

 

What is an Asian breakfast?

 

Naturally, stuff that are normally eaten in Asia. Maybe stuff like octopus and shark's fin soup, who knows? I didn't take a close look at the offerings, but both Asians and Caucasians lined up there. I prefer my grapefruit, cereal or oatmeal and toasted bagel for breakfast. Okay, in September when I am back on Mercury, I will scrutinize the items and let you know.

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

There are four or five muster stations on the ship - in the casino, theatre, lounge, etc. We are not assigned to specific lifeboats, but to these muster stations. In an actual emergency, for example a conflagration in the area of a couple of lifeboats, there is no sense for assigned occupants to go to these lifeboats. Donald.

 

On Oceania, we were to muster in the lounge, have our names ticked off, then we were to put our hand on the life jacket loop at the back of the neck on the person in front of us and walk out to our lifeboat station. Quite awkward, would never work in a real emergency. I agree that, in some real emergencies, the concept of standing at your lifeboat is only a working hypothesis.

 

On Saga Rose, we did the normal "muster station" drill at our lifeboats with names and demonstrations, then had to stand for the better part of 30 mins. whilst the Captain made announcements about social doings onboard ship. I was quite irritated about that one. If it were to happen again, I would take off my lifejacket and return to my cabin. By nature, I have natural waterwings and, with a bulky lifejacket on, I cannot see my tummy, no less my feet - walking down stairs in a life jacket is truly dangerous for me. Then there was the Connie where muster instructions were done in four languages - quite tedious.

 

Sometimes, as I stand on deck by my muster station, I often muse about a true emergency on the apartment barges. I cannot imagine that 4,000+ pax plus crew will calmly seek out their muster station and wait for instructions. I would not want to have to seek safety amongst 6,000 souls trying to abandon ship in a real emergency.

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

On Oceania, we were to muster in the lounge, have our names ticked off,

 

Names, really? On Celebrity and HAL, just the cabin numbers and the number of occupants in each were taken at the muster stations.

 

... then we were to put our hand on the life jacket loop at the back of the neck on the person in front of us and walk out to our lifeboat station.

 

How kindergarten! I suppose that that procedure would be sensible in case of thick smoke or sinister fog.

Then there was the Connie where muster instructions were done in four languages - quite tedious.

 

An interesting thing on Mercury last week was that these instructions were done in just two languages - English and Spanish. On other cruises German was included. I suppose that the passenger lists are scrutinized to decide on which languages to use.

 

I would not want to have to seek safety amongst 6,000 souls trying to abandon ship in a real emergency.

 

Nope, me neither!

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Enjoyed your review of your cruise on the Mercury. At one stage, we considered doing a cruise on her through the Panama Canal in December.

 

I like ships about her size.

[Kapricorn]

Enjoyed your review of your cruise on the Mercury. At one stage, we considered doing a cruise on her through the Panama Canal in December.

 

I like ships about her size.

 

Glad that you enjoyed my review. I also like ships the size of Mercury. I will be sorry when Celebrity eventually lets her go - I suspect in a couple of years. If I stick with Celebrity I'll have no choice but to go on the Millennium-class ships, which isn't actually all that bad.

 

Donald.

[thames_side]

I also noticed in Sea Lines that Saga are looking at buying Astoria as a second ship for their Spirit of Adventure operation. No mention of a replacement for Saga Rose. I wonder if they are finding the cutomers for Saga Cruises are literally dying out and plan to concentrate on adventure cruises. That would be a pity. I don't look for adventure and inclusive tours - just a relaxing cruise and a stroll round a pleasant port with a few drinks in a bar somewhere, perhaps lunch and back to the ship for a snooze. What could be better?

[Druke I]

Reference Mercury and ships her size.

 

In Mar 04, we took Mercury down the Mexican Riviera, 7 nights RT from San Francisco.

 

For comparative purposes, we then took Princess' Sun Princess May 04 on a 3 night coastal, San Francisco to Vancouver (and AMTRAKd home!).

 

Frankly, we did not think Mercury lived up to all the hype we had heard about Celebrity Cruise Lines, and much preferred Sun Princess.

 

Very subjective of course, but we prefer Princess to Celebrity (Princess has a much wider variety of ships and itineraries.)

 

Isn't it wonderful we have so many choices?

[engineer38]

At present, Google Earth has pictures of Saga Ruby & Spirit of Adventure at St Petersburg. Ruby is at 59°53'42.35"N 30°12'50.83"E and SoA at 59°55'28.25"N 30°14'13.61"E. The photograph is dated 8 August 2007. (I was there on SoA on the date in question. There were loud celebrations and greetings between the crews of the two ships as we passed Ruby on our way back out to sea.)

 

The brochure for the first season of Quest for Adventure is now out, but the web site has been very unreliable recently.

 

When I spoke to someone senior from Saga Shipping earlier this year, they told me that they were still considering a new build replacement for Saga Rose, in addition to the new adventure ship but I suppose it all comes down to finance in the end.

[Kapricorn]

I don't look for adventure and inclusive tours - just a relaxing cruise and a stroll round a pleasant port with a few drinks in a bar somewhere, perhaps lunch and back to the ship for a snooze. What could be better?

 

You and I share exactly the same viewpoint! I'm not at all a "touristy" person. I cruise just to relax and unwind, enjoy a book, watch the sea and meet interesting passengers.

 

In Mar 04, we took Mercury down the Mexican Riviera, 7 nights RT from San Francisco.

 

Frankly, we did not think Mercury lived up to all the hype we had heard about Celebrity Cruise Lines, and much preferred Sun Princess.

 

Very subjective of course, but we prefer Princess to Celebrity (Princess has a much wider variety of ships and itineraries.)

 

Isn't it wonderful we have so many choices?

 

I was on Mercury in January 2004 on the same route, two months before you. I've been on two Princess ships (Sea Princess & Dawn Princess) and I liked both, as they possessed several better qualities than Mercury. So did RCCL's Vision of the Seas. In the end, it is the treatment from the Mercury crew which made her"my" ship. Yes, it's wonderful to have so many choices.

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Princess Daphne season axed

Michael Bruce

 

Spiralling fuel costs have forced Classic International Cruises to cancel Princess Daphne’s maiden season in Sydney.

 

The cruise line has also announced that it will transfer the 16 cruises planned for the Funchal over to the flagship Athena vessel.

 

The Funchal was scheduled to operate out of Fremantle and Adelaide this Summer, while the Princess Daphne was slated to operate seven cruises out of Sydney.

 

Classic International Cruises managing director Grant Hunter said rising fuel prices had made it “financially impossible” for the company to bring two ships from Europe to Australia. “If the four long line voyages had proceeded, we would have been forced to impose hefty levies on passengers on these voyages to cover the massive cost of fuel, which we felt would have been unfair and untenable,” Hunter said.

 

Passengers who were booked on the Funchal will be transferred to a similar cabin category on Athena, at no additional cost. Those who were booked on Princess Daphne’s maiden season have been offered free flights to Perth and a comparable cruise duration on the Athena.

 

“If the fuel issue subsides, we are hopeful we can introduce the 500-passenger Princess Daphne to the Australia east coast in a subsequent season,” Hunter said. “Passengers have not needed to make final payments yet so we anticipate the process of rebooking passengers to be a smooth one,” Hunter said.

[Kapricorn]

Princess Daphne season axed

Michael Bruce

 

Spiralling fuel costs have forced Classic International Cruises to cancel Princess Daphne’s maiden season in Sydney.

 

That's really too bad about the cancellation. It will be interesting to see what the future of the cruise industry will be, with rising fuel costs.

 

Donald.

[Kapricorn]

I didn't mention in my review a few personal details. On the first formal night I sat at the Captain's Table with the Chief Engineer and eight other passengers. As I was directly across the table from the Chief Engineer, we spent most of the time chatting with each other. It was fun! I was glad to finally sit at the Captain's Table, as in the past year I had to decline twice due to a variety of reasons.

 

On the third night I attended the Captain's Club Cocktail Party where the Captain presented me with a bottle of wine and a certificate for being the solo passenger with the most Celebrity cruises among those aboard (see photograph). It was nice to have my loyalty recognized.

 

On the fifth night, at the Senior Officers' Cocktail Party (for Select and Elite members), the Captain asked me if I was enjoying the cruise and if everything had gone well for me. I replied, "Yes, I am enjoying the cruise, and I will be back in September. All is fine despite a couple of problems, but no matter." The Captain quickly asked, "Problems? What problems? Please tell me. I want to know." I explained about my special requests - egg crate mattress among them - not having been carried out. He then said, "When you board next September, tell the staff that you would like to meet me, and tell them that I told you to say so. I will come and see that all is fine with you." I was astonished. Wow! Good to know that the Captain is attentive to those who are not big-name VIPs.

 

Donald.