Diplomacy

Saga Launches 2025 Ocean Cruises

Saga has officially launched its 2025 boutique ocean cruises programme, with 47 all-inclusive itineraries sailing aboard sister ships, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery.

There are plenty of new experiences, itineraries and ports-of-call available – as well as a new nationwide chauffeur service – across Saga’s new 2025 season of all inclusive no-fly cruises.  Highlights include more unforgettable experiences, such as tuk-tuk tours, which have been expanded to feature on 20 cruise itineraries and offer guests the option to explore the cities of Lisbon, Oporto, Split and Valencia by this unique mode of transport. 

New ports-of-call for Saga ships in 2025 include the Croatian island of Korcula on the Dalmatian

Coast and also Helsingør in Denmark’s North Zealand, which offers the ideal opportunity to visit Kronborg Castle, immortalised by Shakespeare as the home of Hamlet.

Also new for 2025, Saga’s chauffeur service is now nationwide, so guests will be picked up from home across the UK mainland at no extra cost.

2024 was Saga’s fastest selling season ever, and some cruises sold out very quickly, so Saga is committed to offering early bookers for 2025 the very best deals, therefore, these cruises are available now with up to 35 per cent off the full price. Saga also offers a price promise, whereby if the price of the cruise is reduced, guests who have paid the higher price will get the value of the difference.

Some highlights from the 2025 Saga Ocean programme include:

 – A 21-night all-inclusive Croatia and Gems of the Mediterranean cruise departing 22nd May 2025 from Dover.  This cruise to the Adriatic offers guests a stop on Spain’s Costa Tropical to visit Motril, en route to Malta and its capital, Valletta, before exploring the historic coastal cities of Croatia, including the island of Korcula – a brand new port of call for Saga this year – then Split and the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, as well as UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik with its ancient fortifications. It will also cruise along the scenic Bay of Kotor and the opportunity to stroll the medieval streets of the fortified town of Kotor, where Romanesque churches sit alongside Venetian mansions. And finally, the cruise visits the Greek ruins of Sicily and iconic Rock of Gibraltar on the return journey.  Prices start from £7,069 per person for a standard balcony cabin (based on two sharing).

 – A 49-night all inclusive Caribbean and Central America Discovery cruise departing Portsmouth on  6th January 2025.  This cruise contrasts the Caribbean and Central America, cruising from one tropical island to the next, before visiting the ancient Mayan ruins and dense rainforests of Central America and then onto the USA.  After the transatlantic crossing via Madeira, Spirit of Discovery visits the Caribbean islands of St Lucia, Barbados, Bequia and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Willemstad and Oranjestad.  The voyage continues to Central America to visit UNESCO-listed Cartagena and Colón, before the chance to experience the rainforests and banana plantations of Puerto Limón, beaches of Honduras and archaeological treasures of Belize City. Progreso, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, offers a gateway to the iconic Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.  The cruise will also visit the Gulf of Mexico to the Texan city of Galveston, from where guests can visit the world-renowned Houston Space Station with its NASA spacecraft, before following the Mississippi River for an overnight stay in New Orleans, birthplace of jazz and renowned for its Creole cuisine and French Quarter, as well as Miami and the opportunity to visit the famous Everglades National Park.  There is an overnight stop in Bermuda, where UNESCO-listed St George’s became an English settlement in 1612, and call at the scenic Azores archipelago on the return journey.  Prices start from £16,128 per person for a standard balcony cabin (based on two sharing).

There are also new itineraries that sail around the British Isles, from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to the Highlands of Scotland and Belfast in Northern Ireland. These itineraries are the ideal staycation with a difference and include:

 – A 10-night all-inclusive Island Hopping in the British Isles cruise departing Portsmouth on 5th May 2025.  This cruise showcases the heritage and dramatic scenery of the British Isles, calling first into Guernsey with its 18th-century towers and unique World War Two fortifications.  The cruise then crosses the Irish Sea to visit Northern Ireland’s cultural capital of Belfast, where the RMS Titanic was built, before voyaging along the Welsh coast to visit Holyhead, gateway to exploring the Isle of Anglesey and Snowdonia National Park. From the Isle of Man, the cruise then heads to Ullapool, located on the shores of Loch Broom, and the remote Orkneys, home to the famous Neolithic site of Skara Brae. Prices start from £2,968 per person for a standard balcony cabin (based on two sharing).

Saga guests can also choose from a range of other popular cruises throughout the year to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Norway (and the Northern Lights), Africa, the Caribbean and the Canary Islands.  

Saga’s boutique ocean cruises are all-inclusive with no hidden costs on-board and guests also have the benefit of the new complimentary nationwide chauffeur service between home and Dover or Portsmouth.

Saga Cruises come with all dining and house drinks including a selection of cocktails, draft beers and lagers, wines, spirits, mixers and soft drinks, including premium label spirits available at no additional cost. Wi-Fi, gratuities, fitness facilities, 24-hour room service, sightseeing tours in selected ports, entertainment (from lectures to recitals to shows), porterage of luggage, shuttle buses to nearest town centres and travel insurance are also included.

A cruise ship has returned to service after receiving a multi-million dollar renovation after being acquired by another cruise line.

Celestyal Cruises purchased the 42,000 gross ship last November from AIDA Cruises. The vessel was renamed Celestyal Discovery during a massive renovation and the ship is now sailing three and four night cruises to the Greek Isles.

The ship’s first passengers are sailing on the “Iconic Aegean” itinerary, with port calls in Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos Island, and Santorini, Greece; visiting a total of five ports over the three-night sailing.

From March through to November 2024, Celestyal Discovery will be rotating this three-night itinerary with a four-night “Iconic Aegean” option, featuring an additional day in Rhodes. Cruises start at $279 per person.

All cabins on the ship were refreshed, the livery was painted, and new onboard social spaces were added. The ship now has a new coffee shop, pizza restaurant, and Discovery Lounge.

Celestyal Discovery features two main restaurants – Thalassa and The Taverna, plus Grill Seekers- an additional specialty surf and turf restaurant, and the poolside Greek Deli and Fig & Honey for juice and gelato.

Chris Theophilides, CEO at Celestyal, said, “We were delighted to welcome 1,100 guests onboard our newest ship, Celestyal Discovery, this weekend. We have successfully refreshed our fleet in under a year, staying true to our commitment to invest in our customer experience.

“Celestyal can now offer premium, destination immersive holidays, unmissable both at sea and ashore. It’s an extremely exciting time for us as we continue to expand as a global brand, and we look forward to more developments over the coming year”.

Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said, “Having already announced 12 new destinations, a completely refreshed fleet and significantly upgraded customer experience, we are delighted to be setting sail on both our 2024 season and our new global year-round operation. We have spent the past year listening to our valued customers and partners to understand what makes Celestyal so special. We’ve evolved our identity to reflect this and our new fleet, with the new livery, is the now the most visible extension of our brand.”

Have you found yourself wondering, “where did my extra cash go halfway through your cruise?” Suddenly, your onboard account is lower than you anticipated.

You may have forgotten your toothbrush or toothpaste and can’t go without it for the week. A visit to the gift shop is inevitable. On the other hand, you might be faced with a “deal” that seems too good to be true. Do you really need that purse that’s “exclusive” and on “clearance”?

Let’s just face it. Cruise ships are full of shiny, sparkly things that tempt our wallets and our sanity. My husband will tell you just how much I love to spend money and how tempted I get each time we cruise. I have had to learn what I would prefer to spend my hard-earned money on while cruising.

Over the years, I have learned things (through trial and error) that are worth purchasing and things that are not. Keep reading to learn the things I won’t buy (and how to avoid temptation) on my next cruise.

1. Lanyards

After dropping your carry-on luggage off at your cabin, you might make your way to the Lido deck for lunch. On your way there, you will probably notice several displays of lanyards, particularly in the photo area.

Lanyards are usually “pushed” pretty heavy on embarkation day. It’s an item that many of us utilize throughout our trip and cruise lines know that. When you glance at the price tag, you’ll see that they are not always cheap – especially if you have a large family.

Pro Tip: Before you start your vacation, shop around for lanyards. Amazon has multiple options and oftentimes, you can buy an entire package of 4 (or more!) for the price of 1 on a cruise ship.

Have fun with it. Purchase brightly colored lanyards for the kids. Favorite television shows and movies are popular options for adults. My entire family wore Game of Thrones-inspired lanyards on a cruise and we had several people wanting to snag them! 

Related: 35 genius cruise items on Amazon for under $15

2. Photo Package

Photos can be a real hit-or-miss on cruise ships. I would never suggest purchasing a photo package before boarding your ship. What if you have your photo taken and dislike them all? You might be having so much fun with your family, you never even stop to have your photo taken by the cruise line. Waste of money, right?

If you decide to have your photos taken (and that is perfectly okay!), choose to purchase your photos after seeing the finished print. At that point, if the cruise ship offers it, utilize a photo package to obtain the best deal possible.

3. Art

I absolutely love art and I have enjoyed a complimentary glass of champagne at an art auction more than once. Gazing at the art galleries onboard is a wonderful pastime and it’s a great way to learn about a variety of masters in their field.

Each time I cruise, I inevitably see at least two paintings of Michael Godard (olives jumping into martini glass pools, anyone?)  that I momentarily believe I cannot live without. While he is one of my favorite artists, I’ll opt to purchase stateside.

Honestly, it’s just risky purchasing from an art auction at sea. Are you getting a good deal? Is it an authentic work of art? Oftentimes, the internet connection is not strong enough for you to complete the needed research before making a large purchase like this. History is plagued with upset customers who claim cruise ships increase the value in order to get a sale.

Pro Tip: Take snapshots of art that you love while on your trip. Come home and visit photo galleries or online retailers to find a piece you know you’ll love. Take your time and do not feel pressured to make a decision.

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Related: 12 things you can still get for free on a cruise ship

4. Spa Treatments

Where do I even start?

Do I love getting a massage? Absolutely. Do I love having my hair and nails done? Yep!

Do I love paying an astronomical price to have these services done on a cruise ship? Nope!

To each their own, but I tend to avoid the overpriced spa treatments on cruise ships. I can support my local salons before and after I go on a trip and receive high quality service without being hassled to buy their “exclusive” products.

5. Jewelry

If my husband gets a wild hair to purchase a new diamond from the onboard shops, great! (I might be dreaming a bit) Lucky for him, I won’t be pushing him to purchase an expensive piece of jewelry from a cruise ship.

Just like any store or website, cruise lines are experts at making you believe that something is a “great deal” when it really isn’t. It can be easy for the casual shopper to be fooled by their appealing tactics. The words, “duty-free” do not necessarily mean you are getting a good deal.

While you are on a cruise ship, there are no other stores in their direct competition. The jewelry store on the ship has a monopoly on selling jewelry to cruisers while onboard. Cruisers can momentarily forget about this, have nothing else to compare the prices to, then get roped into something overpriced.

6. Toiletries and OTC Medications

How many times have you forgotten your contact solution or something to calm a headache? It seems impossible to go through your entire vacation without these essentials.

In times like these, it will be necessary to purchase your items from the onboard shops or off the ship at a port. Either way, these items tend to be very overpriced.

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Pro Tip: Make a list and check it twice. Be sure you have packed everything you could possibly need while on your trip. Make sure it is packed in your luggage and double check it again before you leave! 

What have you purchased on a cruise ship that you won’t dare buy again? We would love to hear your experiences, good and bad.

Until next time, bon voyage!

Margaritaville at Sea has announced new dining and beverage concepts that will be featured on their second and newest ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

Islander will sail her maiden cruise with Margaritaville at Sea on June 14, a four night voyage to the Western Caribbean from Tampa.  The 2,650 passenger ship will have six dining concepts and 11 bars and lounges that are new to the cruise line.

Islander will have Margaritaville staples like Fins Dining Room, Port of Indecision Buffet, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and JWB Prime Steakhouse.

New dining concepts that will debut are Far Side of the World Sushi Bar, Mexican Cutie Cantina (complimentary), Island Eats, Tiki Grill, and Islander Dining Room.

New bars and lounges that will be on the cruise ship are:

• The Flip Flop Atrium
• Coral Reef Lounge
• Far Side of the World Arcade and Lounge
• Hot, Hot, Hot Night Club
• Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits
• Love and Luck Casino Bar
• Havana Daydreamin’ Sports Bar and Lounge
• Bubbles Up Lounge and Champagne Bar
• The Tiki Bar (adults only)

“The culinary experience aboard Margaritaville at Sea is central to crafting unforgettable memories for our guests, which is why we’re thrilled to unveil this array of exciting new restaurants, lounges and bars aboard the Islander,” said Eric Neuwirth, VP of Food & Beverage at Margaritaville at Sea. “Our new options are lively hubs of relaxation and indulgence, each offering its own elevated blend of flavors, cuisine, ambiance, and island-inspired charm. Every moment and meal aboard the Islander will be a celebration of the Margaritaville lifestyle.”

The cruise ship is currently being transformed into Margaritaville at Sea Islander.  All 1,105 cabins are being fully redesigned with custom styling reminiscent of the sand, sea and sky and all new furnishings including Margaritaville’s signature bedding, pillows, and linens.

Islander will feature a soaring 14-story atrium with a unique nautical Margaritaville flip flop and the lively Flip Flop Atrium bar.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander will homeport in Tampa, Florida, offering wide range of four to seven night cruises to the Caribbean.

It will be the cruise line’s second and most modern cruise ship. Their first, Paradise, offers two night cruises to The Bahamas from the Port of Palm Beach.