British operator marks milestone with firework display and entertainment at UK port
By
Rebecca Gibson |
British operator Saga Cruises celebrated its 20th anniversary with a firework display, live music and other entertainment at the Port of Dover, UK on 20 May 2017.
Twenty years to the day that Saga’s first cruise ship, Saga Rose, embarked on her inaugural cruise to the Mediterranean from Dover, the line berthed two of its current vessels – Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl II – at the port’s cruise terminals for the day. Passengers and local residents joined in the celebrations, which included a performance by a jazz band.
“We’re very proud that Saga Cruises chose to mark 20 extremely successful years in the industry at the very place where it all started for the company – the Port of Dover,” said Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s chief executive. “Ever since the Saga Rose sailed from our berths on her inaugural voyage two decades ago, the company’s ships have been regular and popular visitors to our harbour. We wish Saga Cruises every success for the future and look forward to welcoming the fleet to Dover for many more years to come.”
Local residents watched as both Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl departed Dover at around 8:45pm, accompanied by a firework display.
Saga Sapphire embarked on a 17-night voyage that will revisit the ports that featured during Saga Rose’s 1997 inaugural cruise and offer themed onboard entertainment. Special guests also joined the cruise, including past and present Saga VIPs who have shaped the business over the past two decades. Meanwhile, Saga Pearl II set sail on an eight-night voyage to the Norwegian fjords.
“It seemed fitting that we held our 20th anniversary celebrations at the Port of Dover, it’s been an instrumental port in Saga’s cruise business success,” said Robin Shaw, chief executive of Saga Cruises. “Since we started cruising in 1997 with Saga Rose, the business really has gone from strength to strength. We’re experts in cruising for the over 50s, we currently take more than 20,000 passengers a year on luxury cruises around the world. And with the exciting news that we’re adding to our fleet with the arrival of our newbuild ship, Spirit of Discovery, in 2019, it’s exciting times for the business and the cruise industry as a whole.”