CRUISE - SAGA HOLIDAYS reveals pictures of the new SAGA OLYMPIC

SAGA OLYMPIC is the first newbuilt of SAGA HOLIDAYS, for its British adult only cruise venture. SAGA recently released first pictures of the new vessels exterior and interior.

by Earl of Cruise 

The new SAGA OLYMPIC will offer ex UK and Fly cruises.

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

The Meyer Werft built new vessel will carry less than 1,000 passengers in 540 cabins and suites. This is for the volume market a new first, and shows it will still be possible to build a ship in this megalodon filled market, it is possible.

SAGA OLYMPIC, for all of us who like a detailed rendering - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES
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The vessel will approximately have 55,900 GT and a lenght of 234 m with width of 30 m. The 30 m width enables SAGA to have fire compartments of 48 m in length resulting the possibility to build with SOLAS compliance rooms of 30x48 m or 1,440 m² ... big grand salons.

The lines of the new vessel are shippy - even if more like a floating block than a real ship, the design is quite well done, and depicts what the newbuild is - a ship for the seven oceans. Besides it shows human dimensions with the measurings and the pax number on board.

At Meyer Werft SAGA has on option, not ordered jet, for a second vessel to be delivered in 2021. Meyer Werft is a recognized leader in ship construction and especially in cruise ship construction. Meyer will increase its newbuilding slots for SAGA by reopening the old dock No1.

Up to this order SAGA used to buy second vessels and rebuild them massivley. The installation of balconies was a way to make them attrctive for their clientele - the baby boomers and older. A well off British clientele.

And for these clients the new vessel is especially configurated. The SAGA OLYMPIC is offering a selction of single cabins in different categories. 15% of the passengers accomodation is for single travellers.

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering of the Lobby - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering of the Britannia Loung - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

The general offer will consist of two speciality restaurants, beside the main dining venue, an al-fresco dining venue, bars, the signature Britannia Lounge, a SPA, treatment rooms, sauna, a beauty salon and outdoor and indoor pools.

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering of a standard balcony stateroom - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

The interior design of the staterooms and suites looks contemporary and quite modern, despite an expected British Country House Style, or Laura Ashley design. But in comparison to the other cruise offers - nothing really new.

David Pickett, overseeing manager for the newbuild, says: "The all-balcony cabins will be spacious and modern, designd with a fresh and contemporary twist. In fact, the whole ship has the "wow" factor. It is being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, and at the moment we´re heavily focused on technical design, the engine, generator and propulsion plant; everything to make sure we deliver a practical, working ship of the highest specification."

David Pickett was previously in a similar position in the CARNIVAL UK Group and responsible for the BRITANNIA, AZURA and VENTURA.

Pickett: "We are acheduled to lay the first block in late summer 2018. Just over a year away." The delivery is planed for summer 2019. Pickett added: "The Britannia Lounge is going to be a magnificent signature space set across two decks. I know how important this area will be to our loyal guests, so we´ve worked hard to ensure it doesn´t disappoint. It´s been our aim to listen to current passengers during consultations and get as many of their wants and desires into the SAGA OLYMPIA while futurs-proofing the build, so it can operate for many, many years ahead."

It is allways the same with a second hand ship, as it has been for another customer with other needs and desires than the new owner. And therefore the new owner has to spend hard earned money/revenues not only in the purchase, but rebuilding the ship into his needs and desires. The SAGA SAPPHIRE was not a cheap catch, back then, and proved to be much more expensive to rebuild her in SAGA style. Not only because of the new balconies - the spend money was the biggest investment SAGA has made till then, £ 90mio ... others are building new vessels with.

And the former EUROPA, 1981, of HAPAG-LLOYD was the stone which caused SAGA´s turn to newbuilding.

EUROPA, 1981, HAPAG-LLOYD, in her days the most luxurious cruise vessel in the world, and THE benchmark for the industry -Source: Wikipedia

SAGA SAPPHIRE, the once EUROPA - Source: Wikipedia (original seize)

A purpose built vessel has a lot of advantages for a cruise line, even a new venture, as that ship will be built for their needs and their wishes for their clientele.

Lance Batchelor, CEO of SAGA PLC, who announced the newbuild decision said: "The cruise operation remains at the heart of the SAGA brand and demonstrates our commitment to deliver excellence in customer service and outstanding value. This investment will be transformational for the cruise business and for our customers. The precise details of the new purpose built ship will be finalised over the coming months but will retain the traditional features our customers cherish."

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering of the Main Dining Room - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering of THE VERANDAH - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering of the alfresco dining venue - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

... okay this is not really "shippy" ...

Robin Shaw, Chief Executive of SAGA CRUISES stated: "The new ship is a milestone for SAGA. Our plan for the first of our new modern and elegant cruise ships is sure to delight our existing passengers, and we hope it will entice new passengers to cruise with us. We will retain am intimate small-ship feel, for fewer than 1,000 passengers, a high crew to customer ratio, gereat public spaces and entertainment feacilities and dining can be accomodated in a single sitting."

This single sitting is a must to get minimum a premium rating.

Shaw stated further: "There is no expectation that customers will pay more. One ship for everybody as a result of the new ships."

Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, said: "We are happy and honored to work with SAGA CRUISES in bringing their first purpose built new ship to life."

The predictions for the cruise market are stable and show a significant increase in passenger numbers and needs. For the UK the over 50s will spend 43% more to £ 2.2 billion by 2020. In 2014 it was £ 1.65 billion. While the over 50s in total did spend £ 41 billion on travel and tourism. And 31% of the still working 50s are planing to spend their money on future cruises after retirement.

SAGA PEARL II, the once ASTOR, the first from HADAG - Source: Wikipedia (original seize)

SAGA CRUISES is operating currently two cruise ships - SAGA PEARL II, 446 pax, and SAGA SAPPHIRE, 706 pax. Demands for sailings are extremely high, the sell out far in advance is too, and SAGA did carry over 25,000 passengers over the oceans last year (2016) and has a repeater rate of ~75%. This is suggesting a higher demand than SAGA actually can offer.

"Do looks matter?" I was asking in an earlier article posted in my blog. I definitely say, yes. And would go further: a good designed ship for cruise company is good for the reputation of that company!

SAGA OLYMPIC rendering - courtesy by Meyer Werft and SAGA CRUISES

And let us be true, we all want to be photographed, when on cruise or not, in front of really beautiful designed ship that is awaking feelings of exitement, adventure and luxury in us ... or am I wrong?

Ist das Aussehen wichtig? Von Schiffen?