Captain David Warden-Owen
Allow us to introduce you to our Captains - if you don't know them already.
This week we'll start with Captain David Warden-Owen.
Let's go back in time to the 1940s and 50s when David, just a young boy, was growing up on the west coast of Anglesey, North Wales. Like most young boys, he had an ambition: to be Captain of a merchant vessel.
Raised in a family with a long seafaring history, it's no surprise that his ambition was so vivid.
Most weekends were spent glaring through binoculars, passed down to him by his grandfather, at ships sailing the Irish sea. Committed to his love of all things nautical, he would often visit Liverpool Docks to watch ships loading and unloading their cargoes - dedication considering it was with his own pocket money!
David joined HMS Conway Navel College from 1961 to 1962 and achieved the rank of Sailing Cadet Captain before beginning his career at sea in December 1962. He then served an apprenticeship with Shaw Saville Line on refrigerated cargo vessels trading from the UK to Australia and New Zealand.
In 1975, David's career really took off when he joined Cunard Line as First Officer aboard the QE2. As determined as ever, David worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted to Staff Captain of the world's famous liner in 1990, where he also met HM Queen Elizabeth II. He achieved his first command as Master of Cunard's Atlantic Conveyer in 1992. But David didn't stop there: he went on to command the Cunard Countess, Crown Dynasty and Sea Goddess 1.
In 1997, David joined Saga to command Saga Rose as our first ever Captain. It goes without saying that we welcomed him, his infectious personality and his wealth of experience with open arms, and we are honoured to have him as Master of Saga Pearl II.
This November, Captain David Warden-Owen will be celebrating 50 years at sea, and he’s set to mark the occasion with customers aboard our brand new ship Saga Sapphire on her Caribbean Celebration cruise.
Captain David Warden-Owen, a practicing Christian, is married to Beverly and has two grown-up children. A true Welshman, he has lived his whole life on the Isle of Anglesey.
It might not surprise you that David's hobbies include yacht racing, messing around in boats and scuba diving. He’s also fond of golf and a spot of DIY.
Some Warden-Owen trivia…
Favourite place: Despite being been lucky enough to have travelled around the world for his job, he concedes that back home in Wales, with his wife and family, really is where his heart lies.
Favourite read: The Bible and yachting magazines.
Favourite shop: Tongass Hardware Store in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Most memorable travel moment: Making a three-point turn at Brevis Narrow up the River Amazon.