Skip to main content

Thank You 500,000 readers

Von
18 comments

CRUISE - SAGA HOLIDAYS reveals pictures of the new SAGA OLYMPIC

Von
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
For a 10,000+ pixel picture, please leave a message below
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?

Labels:

Comments

  1. BrentOctober 22, 2017 at 9:16 PM

    I would like a larger version of the detailed side profile.

    ReplyDelete
  2. cruiseholidayAugust 20, 2020 at 3:14 PM

    Thanks for sharing the blog, seems to be interesting and informative too.Family Cruise Vacation

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Books - Liner scale drawings the story of a long journey to LINERS

Von
Dr. Tamás Balogh told me his long journey with his new book `LINERS ´ of scaled liner drawings. Dr. Tamás Balogh, president of the Hungarian Association of Maritime History ( sorry only in Hungarian ) , Modeling and Tradition, member of the R.M.S. TITANIC Hungarian Research Group start to prepare a graphical presentation of the history of transoceanic passenger liners by scale drawings in 2002. The author leads us through the story from 1838 to the present day using more than 500 profile drawings of 280 liners from 40 shipping companies, with descriptions of the individual liners and the operating companies ( FaceBook LINERS ), which made the collection exceptionally abundant. The collection represents such rarely discussed topics as the history of the late Austro-Hungarian ocean liners or the planned, but ultimately cancelled giant passenger steamers. Earl of Cruise talked with the author, Dr. Tamás Balogh From info to digital art work, here shown for the KOAN MARU - digital ...
1 comment
Read more

Ocean Liners in Movies or Films at Sea (updated Nov 2017)

Von
For liners and the shipping companies movies and films had been a top marketing tool Movies or Films and liners at sea, had been intriguing me since I have read about in my youth in LUXUSLINER - BILDER EINER GROSSEN ZEIT by Lee Server ( THE GOLDEN AGE OF OCEAN LINERS ). But earlier, mot only since my first crossing, I was keen watching movies with liners in it, and disapointed, which was an understatement, when I realized the films have been made in a set ashore in some movie "factory". That was after my first crossing.   by Earl of Cruise an essay in progress `Sabrina´, Humphrey Bogart in the office, while LIBERTÉ is sailing out of New York harbor - screenshot Ocean liners, especially those of the luxury category, had been the location of dramas, love stories, thrillers, suspense and catastrophies sinde film was born, or nearly. In this list, the most descriptions are taken from Wikipedia, as I guess no one can expect having seen all these films ... otherwise I w...
7 comments
Read more

HISTORY - ts / ss BREMEN and ts / ss EUROPA

Von
Germany’s two luxury liners, BREMEN and EUROPA , have not only played an important part in their country’s mercantile revival, but have added also an immortal chapter to the history of transatlantic travel. Copy from Shipping Wonders of the World   From part 6 , published 17 March 1936 editing by Earl of Cruise ss / ts BREMEN in her early years - Source: Shipping Wonders of the World/Bundespresse Archiv The PRIDE OF A NATION - the NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD quadruple-screw turbine express liner BREMEN . The keel of this ship was laid in June 1927. Her launch took place in August, 1928. In less than a year later, the Bremen made her first voyage to America, when she crossed the Atlantic from Cherbourg to New York in four days seventeen hours forty-two minutes, thus setting up a new record and gaining the coveted “Blue Riband”. During the passage the Bremen attained an average speed of 27.83 knots. ss / ts BREMEN in her early years - Source: W ikipedia For the pop...
2 comments
Read more

Cruise Destination - London, swinging London

Von
London is the swinging and vibrant capital city of England and the United Kingdom , and the centre of the Commonwealth . by Alexander Naughton, editing by Earl of Cruise London, Palace of Westminster from the dome on Methodist Central Hall - Source: Wikipedia ( original seize ) Swinging London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence. It is one of the world's leading financial centres . London is a world cultural capital. It is the world's most-visited city as measured by international arrivals and has the world's largest city airport system measured by passenger traffic. London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe. In 2012, London became the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times. London 360 ...
1 comment
Read more

HISTORY - The CUNARD - WHITE STAR Liner rms QUEEN ELIZABETH (1938-1972)

Von
Over years, in my early youth, the QUEEN ELIZABETH was shaping my mind for the perfect ocean liner, despite having made my first experiences with a liner onboard the HANSEATIC (1), ex EMPRESS OF SCOTLAND, ex EMPRESS OF JAPAN. When leaning at the rail of HANSEATIC entering the port, my eyes where every where and I wished to by a camera, I took all in. And when seeing the QUEEN ELIZABETH with my own eyes, the nice behaving young boy turned into a tomboy, that my grandmére was no longer able to tame ... I did draw quite a lot of looks, back then. I found, while on research, this article and thought it interesting publishing in my blog: written and published by John Sheperd at liverpoolships.org editing and comments by Earl of Cruise I ( John Shepard ) joined the CUNARD LINE in March 1962 as an Assistant Purser and sailed the QUEEN ELIZABETH throughout that year, before transferring to the Liverpool-based CARINTHIA in November, where I remained as Crew Purser for the next five...
3 comments
Read more

HISTORY - Traveling with airliner LZ 129 HINDENBURG was the most luxurious airtravel

Von
The real airliner LZ 129 HINDENBURG enabled the most luxurious airtravel for decades. Imagine, gliding through the air while the landscape or the sea below can be seen ... LZ 129 HINDENBURG marks the climax of airship construction. On May 6, 1937, the story of civilian airship ended in a tragedy. In Lakehurst, New Jersey, the largest flying object and has been with the similar sized LZ 130 GRAF ZEPPELIN II the most luxurious of all time. How this came about can be reconstructed logically, a series of fatal physics concatenations . The airship LZ 129 HINDENBURG marks the climax of airship construction. It was in its time the fastest and most exclusive traveling object between Europe and America. The challenges of the construction of the giant of the heaven were immense. by Earl of Cruise LZ 129 HINDENBURG, 1936, in Lakehurst - digital copy of a coloured cover photo, originally by Bill Schneider, published in Dan Grossman´s book ` ZEPPELIN HINDENBURG: AN ILLUSTRATED HI...
1 comment
Read more

Thank You 500,000 readers

Von
18 comments
Read more

ss NORMANDIE 1935 - 1942 IX

Von
s s / te NORMANDIE starting from cold Owners: COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE BUILDERS: PENH Ö ET, St. Nazaire, France   by Stephen Carey © , editing by Earl of Cruise   This document is almost exclusively about the engineering aspects of NORMANDIE , mainly on how to start her up from cold. If you are looking for photos of the passenger spaces, there is a plethora of them on the web, in Facebook groups - Admirers of the ss Normandie , ss Normandie photographic file , The French Ocean Liners / Les Paquebots Fran ç ais , ss Normandie , GREAT LINERS OF THE PAST & PRESENT , and others, Pinterest and in articles about NORMANDIE here in the blog, please see at the end of the article. Using "ss" for NORMANDIE is quite incorrect, as NORMANDIE was a Turbo Electric vessel and not a steamship, therefore NORMANDIE should be adressed as "te".   by Earl of Cruise te / ss NORMANDIE berthed in Le Havre, Gare Maritime May 29th, 1935 - colouring courtesy ...
3 comments
Read more

ss NORMANDIE 1935-1942 XIII - Le NORMANDIE the great triumph and tragic end of the greatest ship of France

Von
NORMANDIE at sea - courtsey coloured by Daryl LeBlanc Le NORMANDIE , the greates ship of France, was a great triumph for the French industry, economy the most gracious ambassador of France - a symbol of cultur and Savoir de Vivre. NORMANDIE never surppassed by any liner. But whom the gods love, they beat him to a tragic ending. In case of NORMANDIE the gods let do their dirty job by careless, ignorant and arrogant US Navy officials and their sub contractors.   by Earl of Cruise   NORMANDIE had 4 years of living and the chance to bring Glitz, Glamour and Luster into a world that was just in front of an abyss since October 1929. Sailing with NORMANDIE , created to cater primarily the First Clas clientele, and enjoying life on board seems to me today, as a Dance on the Volcano, that errupted in 1939. Longitudinal cutaway of PARIS - own collection copy from a CGT broshure ÎLE DE FRANCE , Cie Gle TRANSATLANTIQUE provoking ART DÉCO liner - own collection  ...
1 comment
Read more

HISTORY - HANSEATIC, die schöne Hamburgerin

Von
Die schöne Hamburgerin - ts HANSEATIC Die HANSEATIC I, ex SCOTLAND, ex EMPRESS OF SCOTTLAND, ex EMPRESS OF JAPAN by Earl of Cruise ts HANSEATIC - Postkarte (eig. Sammlung) Nasskalt hob sich der Morgennebel aus der Elbe. Mit dem Bug Richtung Cuxhaven schob sich der ganze Stolz der Hansestadt seewaärts: " D ie schöne Hamburgerin" ...   Sie war in der Tat eine Schönheit. Aus der alten als "Schrottland", in Hamburg verspotteten Hülle, machten die Werftarbeiter ein Schmuckstück. Auf ihr machte ich meine ersten "Seebeine". Und sie ist es, welche mich mit dem "Bazillus der Seefahrt infizierte". Diesen Erfolg muss ich ihr zu Gute halten. Die HANSEATIC I war in der Tat ein erfolgreiches Schiff, was auch an dem genialen Axel Bitsch Christensen lag. Er perfektionierte den vor dem 1. und 2.Weltkrieg gerühmten "deutschen Service", und ließ seine Crew immer lächeln. Aus eigener Erfahrung weiß ich, dass es nicht gespielt war, wie wir ...
Post a Comment
Read more