Fabulous farewell voyage for Saga Rose

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Fabulous farewell voyage for Saga Rose

The gourmet lunch on board Saga Rose during her last-ever visit to Dover was an emotionally-charged affair, says travel writer Penny Visman

In the words of Captain David Warden-Owen, Master of the ship since 1997, "she is a legend in her time". Passengers return time and time again. In fact that day one lady was celebrating her 50th Saga cruise (yes, she has been invited back).

Although passengers rate Saga's personal attention as their first consideration, food comes a close second. Well, no surprises there after sampling this menu. Think foie gras, lobster, tournedos with blue Stilton or Gressingham duck with cherries and port. And from the onboard Indian chef, Tuhin Kumar: lamb chop marinated in honey and curry sauce, served with basmati rice, naan bread, popadums and raita. Grand Marnier soufflé or pavlova with berries to follow, anyone?

I sat next to Ross Furlong, Hotel Operations Director for Saga ships, who has extensive experience in top hotels, including Turnberry resort in Scotland. He explained how he has brought the cruise catering in-house and so is able to provide hotel standards at sea. He also said that he uses locally-produced food, and Kentish companies, where possible.

A spectacular send-off is assured for Saga Rose's farewell voyage. There will be a display by an aerobatic team when she leaves Southampton on October 30 this year, with the round trip (no flying) covering 19 ports, extending to the Eastern Mediterranean.

First port is Vigo in Spain, where Saga Rose meets sister ship Saga Ruby for the last time. Each ship is to host a party and passengers will be able to move freely between them. It is bound to be a moving occasion too as Lord Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, will conduct a farewell service for Saga Rose.

Highlights range from soprano Katherine Jenkins singing on board during the overnight stay in Venice, Olympic gold-medallist Sally Gunnell taking passengers to ancient Olympia from the little-visited port of Katakolon, to a private lunch in an historic Knights Templar building in Malta.

Onboard entertainment includes a Venetian masked ball and a Last Night of the Proms concert. Speakers range from Terry Waite, Peter Sissons, Edwina Currie, Sue MacGregor and Nicholas Parsons to Lady 'Betty' Boothroyd. Ronnie Corbett and Tom O'Connor should supply the laughs. But there will be tears, no doubt, during the champagne breakfast before a fond farewell to Saga Rose on disembarkation in Southampton.

Written by Penny Visman. This article was published on June 15, 2009.