CLASSIC CRUISING
latterly as Astoria. In October 2009 this 446-passenger vessel was bought by Saga Cruises and underwent a £20million trans- formation, entering service in March 2010. The results are contemporary interiors that combine rosewood panelling and wood accenting. I particularly liked the nautical ambiance that engenders a re- laxed and intimate atmosphere. There are 24 categories of accommodation, ranging from Grand Suites at 725sq ft to 139sq ft Interior Cabins; noteworthy are 10 accom- modation grades for single occupancy. Open seating is a feature of both the sophisticated Dining Room as well as the Verandah Restaurant, which offers buffet breakfast and lunch as well as waiter- service dinner, offering the same menu as the Dining Room. There is a good mix of casual, informal and formal evenings.
parameters of creative cuisine. Imagine my surprise when I read, in addition to favou- rite dishes such as Parma Ham with Melon, Potato and Leek Soup, and Grilled Veal Liver with Bacon and Onion Gravy, there was also Foie Gras and Sauternes Terrine with Pork Rillettes and Caramelised Apple, Cream of Asparagus with Chantilly Cream and Pan-fried Sea Bass with St Véran sauce. A most welcome addition following the 2009 refit is the superb 3,000 volume Library with Internet facilities. In the late afternoon, I enjoyed watching our naviga- tion through tranquil scenery from the Sundowner Bar located high up on Bridge Deck with views aft across the Sun Deck and its stylish deck furniture. At other times Shackletons, strategically located between the Dining Room and the Discovery Lounge, was my cocktail venue of choice. Evening entertainment consisted of cabaret with the violin duo Elektra, classical pianist Paul Searle-Barnes and operatic singer Annette Wardell. There were also occasional show-times with the Gail Davies Production Company, not to mention a hilarious evening of Call My Bluff. On sea days, former Metro- politan Police Detective Inspector Clifford Wrate gave some gripping lectures, includ- ing ‘Who was Jack The Ripper?’ One evening I peeked into the Dis-
B
covery Lounge thinking I was missing a pre-dinner get-together as the room was so packed. It turned out this was the Britannia Club Cocktail Party, proof if ever it was needed that Saga Cruisers are a loyal bunch and the level of repeaters is amongst the highest in the cruise industry. It is true that Saga Pearl II offers a dif-
eing a Saga Cruises virgin, I expected the menus to adhere to British staples that rarely pushed the
ferent experience to that which regular passengers have come to expect of the more classically-styled Saga Ruby and the much-loved Saga Rose, but these stalwarts seem more than happy with this more contemporary approach to cruising. Above all, it is the inclusion of return pri- vate chauffeur car service, travel insurance
and gratuities that sets this experience apart. As Alan Robson from County Durham put it: “My friends had preconceived notions of Saga cruising. The costs were higher, they said, until I costed out what they had paid for their cruise, plus the extra expenses incurred. Every time, Saga came out better, with so much more included.”
SAGA PEARL II FACTFILE
Built: 1981 Tonnage: 18,591 Length: 539ft Beam: 74ft Draft: 20ft
Speed: 21.4 knots Passengers: 446 Crew: 252
Passenger decks: 7 Registry: Bahamas
ITINERARIES: summer, Northern Europe, inc British Isles, Mediterranean; autumn, Mediterranean, Canaries; winter, Caribbean, Canaries and N Europe (Northern Lights cruises); spring, Med.
MORE INFO: call Saga Cruises on 0800 096 0079 or visit
http://travel.saga.
co.uk/holidays.
Summer 2011 I WORLD OF CRUISING
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