Port of Dover to host Spirit of Discovery christening in July 2019

Saga Cruises’ first newbuild boutique cruise ship is to be christened during a ceremony at the Port of Dover, UK on 5 July 2019.

Spirit of Discovery will be the first vessel to be named at Dover in more than a decade, which will also make her the first to be christened at Dover Western Docks following a £250 million (US$330 million) redevelopment.

“As the place that Saga’s first cruise ship set sail from more than 20 years ago, Dover was ‘the natural choice,” said Nigel Blanks, Saga’s COO. “With Saga’s group headquarters based in Kent, we felt it only right that we name our first brand new, purpose-built cruise ship in Kent and what better way to do that than with the iconic White Cliffs of Dover as a backdrop? We are already planning a few surprises, and will no doubt add a few more before next year, so save the date as we christen the first of our newbuild fleet.”

Saga’s newbuild will depart Dover for her maiden voyage on 10 July, taking 999 guests on a circumnavigation of the British Isles. The sold-out inaugural cruise will be followed by a series of summer itineraries from Dover, which include calls in Spain, Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as a four-night sailing to Holland, Germany and Belgium.

“We are really excited about her first cruise as it’s a great way to show off our first new boutique cruise ship to the British market, as we call in iconic ports such as Newcastle, Edinburgh, Belfast and Liverpool,” said Blanks.

Spirit of Discovery is the first of two new 58,250gt cruise ships that are currently being constructed for Saga by German shipyard Meyer Werft. While Spirit of Discovery will replace Saga Pearl II in July 2019, her sister ship, Spirit of Adventure, is planned to enter service in August 2020.