DESTINATIONS


Kindred spirits


Exploring the Med with a host of long-time cruise travellers combines a friendly atmosphere with a truly adventurous spirit, writes Jane Archer


t


he routine is always the same. We start conversing with fellow pre-dinner drinkers in the North Cape Bar, and after a couple of minutes of chat about what we’d done that day, the familiar question pops up: “Have you cruised with Saga before?”


Any delight I initially felt about saying I am a


card-carrying Saganaut (as one captain used to call passengers, much to their delight) quickly dissipated when I discovered I am just an amateur when it comes to sailing with Saga. Everyone we spoke to had not only cruised with the company several times, but also had other trips lined up for the following year. More to the point, they wouldn’t even consider another line. For them, Saga’s ships are the right size (just under 1,000 passengers), depart from the UK – so no flights are needed – and


best of all, Saga includes chauffeur transfers from home to the departure port and back. The fact that you have to be over 50 to travel with Saga is the icing on the cake. “There are no children on board,” one passenger noted with obvious relief.


STYLISH SAILINGS We’re on Spirit of Adventure, one of two sister ships (the other is Spirit of Discovery) designed specially for Saga’s more mature passengers – and it fits this demographic to a tee. There is no glitzy decor, loud music or gimmicks. Instead, the ship has a straightforward layout – even the most navigation-challenged passengers admitted it was easy to find their way around – along with art deco touches, a balcony cabin or suite for all, and 109 rooms for those travelling solo.


² travelweekly.co.uk 9 JULY 2026 MATURE TRAVELLERS | CRUISE


Cobbled street in Lucca, Italy


PICTURE: Shutterstock/ Catarina Belova


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