Consumer cruise spending predicted to increase by 43% by 2020
First ship to be delivered in Summer 2019
Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany selected to build new Saga Cruise ships
Customers can register their interest by saga.co.uk/newship or calling 0800 0154310
INTERVIEWS WITH ROBIN SHAW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF SAGA CRUISES AVAILABLE – 01303 772499
For Artist impressions email
[email protected]It’s full steam ahead for Saga Cruises which has today announced plans to update its shipping capacity, with an all-new Saga cruise ship expected to be delivered in Summer 2019 and the option to order a second for delivery in 2021. The ships will be built by the renowned Meyer Werft shipyard – a recognised leader in cruise ship construction.
The new ship will be for fewer than 1,000 passengers and so will retain the intimacy and personal touch for which Saga is renowned, but with some new features including balconies for all cabins.
Lance Batchelor, chief executive officer, Saga plc who announced the decision at the company’s half-year results said:
“The cruise operation remains at the heart of the Saga brand and demonstrates our commitment to deliver excellence in customer service and outstanding value. This investment will be transformational for the cruise business and for our cruise customers. The precise details of the new purpose built ship will be finalised over the coming months but will retain the traditional features our customers cherish.”
Robin Shaw, chief executive, Saga Cruises, said:
“Our plan for the first of our new modern and elegant cruise liners is sure to delight our existing passengers and we hope it will entice new passengers to cruise with us. We will retain an intimate small-ship feel, for fewer than 1,000 passengers, a high crew to customer ratio, great public spaces and entertainment facilities and dining can be accommodated in a single sitting.
The artist impressions have been well received and we will continue to consult with our loyal cruise customers throughout the design and build to ensure they get ships that they have helped to make their own.
Above all the new ships will continue to provide the quality and excellent service for which Saga is renowned.”
Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft said: “We are happy and honoured to work with Saga Cruises in bringing their first purpose built new ship to life.”
Plans for the ship will be refined over the coming months but we anticipate her to have some 540 suites and cabins each with a balcony. Around 15% of cabins will be designed for single occupancy and the maximum capacity for the ship will be fewer than 1,000 passengers. There will be single sitting dining throughout a range of restaurants as well as a variety of bars, speciality restaurants and al-fresco dining options. There will also be outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a spa, saunas, treatment rooms and beauty salon.
The 55,900 GT vessel will be approx. 234 metres long, 30.8 metres wide and with a planned completion date of summer 2019.
Research commissioned by Saga into the UK’s over 50s spending on travel and tourism, found that spending on cruising is expected to increase by 43% to £2.2 billion by 2020. This compares £1.65 billion in 2014 out of a total over 50s spend of £41 billion on travel and tourism. Nearly a third (32%) of over 50s in work said they were planning to increase their spending on cruises after retirement.
Saga cruises include a UK travel package (including a chauffeur service or car parking at the port) to and from departure point , all meals and entertainment, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free Wi-Fi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.
Meyer Werft is a leading global shipbuilder founded in Germany in 1795. The ships will be built at the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Now in its seventh generation of family ownership, Meyer Werft has become well known for constructing large, modern and sophisticated cruise ships, including 39 luxury ships.
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