Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.
Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the beautiful island), La Palma is typified by lush forests of pine, laurel and fern which contrast with the rugged splendour of the gigantic Taburiente crater. The island is dotted with attractive villages, which are a delight to discover, and the capital Santa Cruz also makes for an interesting day of exploration. Perched on the edge of the volcanic crater of La Caldereta, Santa Cruz comfortably blends modern architecture with old colonial buildings. Perhaps visit the fascinating Natural History Museum, stroll around the historic quarters and the Plaza de Espana or travel a few miles outside the city to the exquisite Church of Our Lady. If you enjoy shopping, you can find reasonably priced silver jewellery, leather goods and beautifully embroidered clothes, tablecloths and napkins, a speciality of the Canary Islands.
The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms.
A volcanic island designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote’s dramatic landscapes were shaped by an explosive past. Today, its pretty beaches and virtual absence of rain together with duty-free shopping make the island an extremely desirable destination. The main port and capital, Arrecife, is a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens. Outside the capital there is plenty to explore, from the dazzling white salt flats of Janubio and the rugged terrain of Fire Mountain to the eerie caves of Los Verdes and an array of unspoilt fishing villages scattered around the coast. The island is home to a great selection of restaurants and local specialities including garbanzos compuestos – a chickpea stew; papas arrugadas – potatoes with carrots, peas, ham and green pepper; and of course, plenty of fresh seafood. Please note that those planning to participate in one of the shore excursions from this port may need to take an early lunch on board ship to suit the excursion schedules.
Experience our brand-new boutique cruise ship, Spirit of Adventure, now sailing on her inaugural season.
She’s the beautiful sister to Spirit of Discovery, but has a whole host of surprises of her own, including a variety of exciting new restaurants and contemporary artworks and décor.
Spirit of Adventure has a fantastic choice of restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day. The Dining Room and The Grill, which also offers alfresco dining on the adjoining Verandah, offer single seat dining so you can arrive at any time and the table will be yours for the evening.
In addition to our main restaurants guests can choose to dine in one of our three free-to-dine speciality restaurants. Be sure to reserve your table once on board for a truly unforgettable culinary experience!
Don’t forget – all our cruises are all inclusive, so complimentary drinks will be served throughout your cruise.
Spirit of Adventure has multiple entertainment venues for you to choose from including The Playhouse theatre, which offers shows and live music. Alternatively, venture to the Britannia Lounge where you can show off your dance moves or take a seat for entertainment from singers and bands.
The theatre and lounge are just two of the ship's entertainment spaces. Day and night you'll be spoilt for choice with a full line-up of talks, crafts, activities and to sociable quizzes.
Please note: there are no children's facilities on board.
We know how important healthy living can be. That's why Spirit of Adventure has a range of wellbeing services, including spa and beauty treatments, bespoke fitness programmes, yoga classes and much more.
We will provide you with any assistance that you need if you have a disability, please let our sales team know at the time of booking. We recommend that you book emergency assistance if you have a disability.
Adapted cabins and assistance available onboard
Adapted cabins are available on each of our ships.
If you require the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter for permanent or regular use on board you will need to be booked into a wheelchair-accessible cabin.
Please contact one of our Cruise Advisors on 0800 505 030 to enquire about the availability of an adapted cabin and wheelchair space.
If you will require a wheelchair on board, please be aware of the following lift dimensions:
If you require a wheelchair for use on shore excursions only and not on board the ship, the ship will store it for you. As storage is limited please make us aware if you will be bringing a wheelchair on board for use off the ship.
If you have reduced mobility but do not require an adapted cabin, there are a number of different cabin grades are available with different features, please speak with our cruise advisors about the cabin amenities when you call to book.
Hearing and visual impairment
Although not a requirement, it is recommended that a blind or visually impaired passenger travels with a fare paying companion. This recommendation is made purely on the basis of personal safety. In the unlikely event of an emergency on board, a travelling companion will greatly aid your timely relocation to your allocated muster station.
Assistance that can be provided includes:
Upon arrival at the terminal
During the cruise
For disembarkation
The vessel can provide all of its daily publications (e.g. cinema guide, daily paper) in large print upon request; Braille playing cards are also available upon request.
In order to assist deaf or hard of hearing guests with the passenger embarkation safety drill, a subtitled safety video is available on the cabin's television. This video runs on a loop and is available 24/7. Those who are unable to hear the Captain's safety announcement on embarkation day should take the time to watch this video at the earliest opportunity. Any member of the ship’s crew will be happy to answer any questions you may have resulting from watching the video.
A number of visual alarm units are available on request. When fitted into the cabin these will flash indicator lights when loud alarms sound. Also they provide a fixture that will vibrate a pillow to alert you whilst you are sleeping.
Most entertainment rooms on each vessel have hearing loop systems installed. This will improve sound volume and clarity with hearing aids switched to the 'T' position.
If you need to notify us of any special requirements, please do so at the time of booking. If you've already booked please make sure you notify us no later than 48 hours before departure by calling our Customer Care team free on 0800 373 034.
Excursions
Wherever possible, we arrange a choice of excursions to match a variety of tastes and walking abilities.
We will notify you when excursions for your cruise are on sale and provide information for each that can be booked. To help you choose the excursions most suitable for you, we have graded each according to the walking involved, as detailed below:
In some ports tour coaches may not be able to accommodate wheelchair users, or carry mobility scooters. Please inform us if you require the use of a wheelchair or scooter while on tour so that we can check if there is suitable transport available in that port. We will also be happy to arrange private transport if you’d like to explore independently instead.
If you are in any doubt over the suitability of any excursions, please contact our Customer Care team on 0800 373 034 or speak to the Travel and Tours team on board.
Saga Holidays are for anyone 50 and over. A travelling companion or family member travelling with you may be aged 40 or over.
Evening dress code applies from 6pm and must be followed by all guests in the ship’s public areas for the evening. The dress code is recommended for the ambiance and comfort of all guests. Details will be shown in your Daily Programme.
Evening-casual
For dinner, evening-casual is the way to go – just like at any other restaurant.
For ladies:
For gentlemen:
Please, no polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts or denim.
Formal nights
Getting smartly dressed up for the occasional formal night has long been part of the fun of cruising.
As a guide, there'll be:
For ladies:
For gentlemen:
If you'd prefer not to take part in formal nights, you can dine in The Grill or take advantage of our complimentary room service. You're also welcome to enjoy drinks in any of the bars – however you'll need to adhere to the standard evening-casual dress code.
Please note: The Playhouse observes the dress code of formal nights. If you're attending a performance on a formal night, formal dress will be required for admission.
Every Saga cruise includes:
Whatever you need, there will always be someone on hand to help throughout your cruise. And don’t be surprised if our friendly crew remember you from your last cruises with us – it’s just another part of the famous Saga service. And tipping? Never. Everything is taken care of before you even step on the ship. It leaves you free to concentrate on the most important thing of all – enjoying yourself
Smoking and vaping is only permitted in the designated smoking area. On Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure this is the port side aft on Deck 11.
Smoking is strictly forbidden on guest balconies or anywhere else on the ships.
All our ships have free Wi-Fi. Although it can sometimes be a bit patchy because of the nature of ocean cruising.
Fine dining is an integral part of the cruising experience and we can cater for most dietary needs as long as you let us know in advance. You can make us aware of your requirements at the time of booking or if you have already booked, please contact us.
We welcome assistance dogs on board our ships and this section outlines the procedures for arranging booking, embarkation, disembarkation and onboard service for guests with an assistance dog. Please read the information carefully.
If you need to take an assistance dog on board, please let us know at the time of booking. If you've already booked please make sure you notify us no later than 48 hours before departure by calling our Customer Care team free on 0800 373 034.
The limitations on assistance dogs carried on each vessel at any time are:
It's therefore essential that you let us know at the time of booking if you require an assistance dog so we can ensure there is the availability and make the necessary arrangements.
The limitations on cruises that can be booked if you are travelling with an assistance dog are:
You will need to ensure that the assistance dog complies with the Pet Passport Scheme.
Please be aware that some ports of call may not allow the assistance dog to go ashore.
Assistance staff in the cruise terminal can be found along the boarding route, and will escort you and your assistance dog from the terminal check-in to the ship. An appointed vet arranged by us will be present when you embark so that they can check the pet’s passport and scan the microchip using either their own scanner or the scanner provided by you.
Whilst on board, it is your responsibility to ensure that:
The assistance dog must have a tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before returning to the UK. The ship's Chief Purser shall locate a port of call available for a treatment, arrange transport for you, and maintain a copy of the treatment document.
During disembarkation, the appointed veterinarian shall check the assistance dog’s passport and scan the microchip using either their own scanner or the scanner provided by you.
To ensure that the crew can cope in an emergency situation, the number of passengers who require a wheelchair or mobility scooter to be booked on any cruise is restricted for safety reasons. It's therefore essential that you ask at the time of booking if there will be space for you to bring your wheelchair, mobility scooter or other equipment on board. Please contact a member of our Sales Team on 0800 096 0079 to enquire about availability. If you've already booked, please call our After-sales Team on 0800 504 505 instead.
Wheelchairs are not available for loan on board or for use during excursions. Anybody that requires the use of a wheelchair must provide their own.
Please note that if you arrive at check-in with a wheelchair or mobility scooter and have failed to declare that you are bringing this with you, and no wheelchair spaces are available, then you will be denied boarding on the grounds of safety.
All passengers that require the use of wheelchairs or mobility scooters for permanent and regular use on board will only be booked into a wheelchair accessible cabin.
Things to note if bringing a wheelchair or mobility scooter onboard
Mobility equipment
The following equipment is available on board. There is only a limited number of each item so if you require the use of any mobility equipment, please let us know at the time of booking or at the earliest opportunity to enable us to ensure that the necessary equipment is available.
Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure
If you need to bring any other mobility equipment on board, please make sure you let us know. This equipment must be stored within your cabin when not in use and must never be stowed in corridors as they are considered to be an emergency escape route.
Spirit of Adventure’s boutique accommodation
Our new ship's cabins offer luxury and style, with vibrant new designs in all the grades. At an average of 215 square feet, they're some of the most generously-sized cabins on the ocean wave.
Beautifully boutique, each one has a balcony as standard. This even includes single cabins, which are also stunningly designed and spacious.
Take a look to find out more about the features of each grade.
Spirit of Adventure’s stunning cabins have been designed by top design firm AD Associates.
Standard cabins are a generously-sized 215 square feet, with a classic boutique feel. Best of all, all have their own private balcony, for your own outside space at sea.
Room includes:Offering even more boutique luxury, Spirit of Adventure’s Deluxe cabins are larger and with more features such as a walk-in wardrobe. Their guest balconies are also larger, for more private outside space.
Room includes:
Upgrade to a Mid-Ship Suite for the luxury of more personal space, up to 462 square feet. You’ll also enjoy a living and dining area, walk-in wardrobe and a bath. And of course a package of added benefits, such as a butler service, pre-dinner canapes, afternoon tea service in your Suite, a coffee machine and more.
Room includes:
Room includes:
The Forward Suites on Spirit of Adventure are the highest-grade accommodation the ship has to offer. With a floorplan up to 855 square feet, they are effortlessly spacious and opulent, also with the largest balconies on the ship. Forward Suites also offer an indulgent package of added benefits, including a walk-in wardrobe, enhanced bathrooms with whirlpool bath bespoke toiletries, customised stationery and more.
They are one-off, signature spaces offering style and luxury, among the finest cabins at sea.
Room includes:
Room includes:
Our Adapted Standard Balcony Cabin can be configured as a double or a twin and includes your own private balcony.
Plus...
This spacious Adapted Deluxe Cabin is specially adapted for our guests’ needs, with ramps and easier access to both the bathroom and the larger private balcony. It can also be configured as a double or a twin.
Plus...