Finding my Spirit of Discovery
I recently returned from a 15-night Mediterranean cruise with SAGA and I want to tell you all about it.
I’m a huge fan of SAGA, I have been since my first cruise with them several years ago aboard Saga Sapphire. I fell in love with that ship and when she was sold, it was a sad moment. However, the first time I stepped aboard Spirit of Discovery I knew something very special was happening and within hours, she took a firm place in my cruise ship heart.
This cruise was my first time back onboard a SAGA ship since before Covid. I’d spent a lot of time on Spirit of Discovery in the run up to her launch, attending various shakedown cruises, her naming ceremony and then her maiden voyage, so to say I was excited to get back onboard and savour everything the ship has to offer is a massive understatement. I’d missed the cruise line very much and the wonderful friends I’d previously made with members of the crew.
SAGA is reserved for those over 50. It’s an all-inclusive boutique cruise line that really cares about providing an exceptional cruising experience, mixed with delicious cuisine, fascinating destinations, and the occasional famous face: during my sailing we were joined by Jools Holland and Ruby Turner, and celebrity chef John Torode. When I say all-inclusive, I mean they literally include everything, from a door-to-door chauffer service to Wi-Fi.
Destination Highlights
We were heading for the Mediterranean, with ports of call including Lisbon, Palma, Cartagena, Toulon, Barcelona, and Gibraltar. All exciting, but the ship herself was the biggest attraction for me. Nevertheless, my destination highlights were Lisbon and Barcelona, which surprised me, as neither are high on my ‘places I love’ list. Maybe it’s because I’ve visited both many times, but this time around, I was pleasantly surprised.
In Lisbon, I joined one of SAGA’s newest shore excursions to be offered, a tuk tuk ride through the city. It was excellent, I’d highly recommend, but it’s not for those with back problems. It was incredibly bumpy at times going through the cobbled and uneven side streets, but it gave the chance to see things that many people miss. I’ve visited Lisbon no less than 4 times and nearly everything offered on the tuk tuk tour was new to me. I felt like I’d really explored the city and sampled Portugal beyond just finding a pastel de nata.
Barcelona brought a visit to the Spanish Village, which was beautiful and very interesting, before we made our way to the famous Park Güell. In 1984, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared it a World Heritage site. The site is incredible! I’ve seen many photographs of the park, but nothing quite compares to seeing it with your own eyes and we were lucky, we had a beautiful, sunny day for it and the light reflected off all the stunning colours of the tiles and mosaics. I felt like I was in a fairy tale land – it didn’t look or feel real.
Onboard
My onboard accommodation was a standard balcony cabin (all cabins on SAGA ocean ships feature a balcony – there are no inside cabins) on Deck 13 forward. It was very comfortable, and my cabin steward was very attentive. There was more than enough storage space and all the power outlets on the ship are standard UK 3-pin, so there’s no need to pack adaptors.
Spirit of Discovery was purpose-built for SAGA and her style, luxurious comfort and wonderful crew won’t disappoint. Onboard, you’ll find stylish and comfortable lounges, such as the Britannia Lounge, located at very front of the ship and offering stunning views; The Living Room, where fresh coffee and cakes await; The Playhouse, which comes alive in the evening for Broadway-style productions and more. There’s also a very comfortable library and a selection of bars to enjoy, including the sophisticated South Cape Bar and on warmer evenings, you can soak up the sea views from the Verandah Bar.
Spirit of Discovery Dining
Dining options onboard are varied and the menus are crafted to ensure there’s something for everyone. The Club is Spirit of Discovery’s signature steakhouse venue, but there is always a chicken or fish option available and a wide selection of side dishes and desserts. In the evening, this space also becomes a small and intimate area for enjoying live music.
East to West is the ships Asian-fusion restaurant, with the menu incorporating flavours from destinations such as India, Thailand, and Indonesia. It’s a sumptuous experience and the flavours seem to explode on the palette. Most dishes are prepared as mild, but don’t be afraid to ask if you’d like more spice and heat – the chef will happily oblige – nothing is too much trouble.
If seafood is your calling, then Coast to Coast is a must. Delicious lobster, shrimp, scallops, turbot, and more are all waiting to tempt you. The menus across all three speciality dining venues change from time to time, but during my sailing, one starter option here was a sharing seafood platter and it was huge. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I watched the waiter bring one out from the galley. Although it is a platter for 2, the maître d’ did say if I wanted to try it, he could ask the chef to make a smaller one just for myself. I respectfully declined, as I knew it would still be overflowing and I’d never finish it or then eat my main course. One thing SAGA do not sacrifice is quality or quantity. I remember being on Saga Sapphire during a cruise to the Baltic. I asked if I could have extra peas and the waiter brought me a plate full! I also, on another sailing, had tempura crab to start and I enjoyed it so much, I asked if I could have another one as dessert, that request was also fulfilled. Coast to Coast also occasionally offers a lunch menu.
The Grand Dining Room is the ships main dining option and can be found below The Club. The menu here is also reflected in The Grill. This is located on Deck 12 and acts as a buffet-style option for breakfast and lunch, and then table service in the evening. Both offer an always available menu for lunch and dinner. If you cruise on Spirit of Discovery, I set you a task – to see if you can spot the bird that sits on one of the ceiling lights in The Club!
The Verandah is Spirit of Discovery’s outside dining venue for lunch, offering classic burgers, hot dogs, amazing fish and chips, scampi, and more. One thing I really liked during my cruise was that on days when the weather was less favourable, they would close this area but offer a special curry lunch or Filipino lunch elsewhere onboard, usually in The Club. It allowed for even more variation.
Entertainment onboard varied and although I don’t usually participate in the shows, I enjoyed doing so on this cruise. The Spinettes were onboard and were fabulous. As mentioned, Jools Holland was with us for a few days and his performance with Ruby Turner was wonderful.
After 4 years away from SAGA, I can say that nothing has changed. Standards remain extremely high, as they have always been. Her crew is excellent. The quality of food ingredients was exceptional, along with the choice of dishes offered. Spirit of Discovery was spotless, I didn’t see a single sad looking piece of carpet or a mark on a wall – it was as if she was launched just yesterday. I felt like I’d finally returned to my home-away-from-home, and it felt wonderful.
I’m visiting her sister ship, Spirit of Adventure, in just a few days – so keep an eye on my social media channels for photos and more.
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