TV chef Phil Vickery ‘comes home’ to Saga

TV chef Phil Vickery

TV chef Phil Vickery can’t wait to sail on Saga Sapphire in the summer – and he has a special reason why.

Phil started his career as a commis chef at the Burlington Hotel, in Folkestone, where the Saga story began.

He said: “I feel like everything has gone full circle. My first job was working in Saga’s hotel, learning my trade in that kitchen.”

Phil, 53, also had a glimpse of life on Saga Ruby in 2012 while on a cookery assignment in Gibraltar. He said: “I did a day’s filming and I was really impressed by the service on the ship.

“It was a really nice experience, the service was amazing – a real eye-opener and I thought ‘I would like to do some work with these guys some time’.

“So when Saga approached me to be their guest chef on the Adriatic Explorer cruise in June I was very excited!”

Phil has travelled the globe but this will be his first ocean cruise. He said: “Although I have visited and cooked in most parts of world, from Alaska to Vietnam, Brazil and the southern states of the US, I have never been on ‘a proper cruise’.

“During that brief visit on Saga Ruby I loved the tranquillity and the relaxed atmosphere on the ship. I can’t wait to step on Sapphire.”

Phil will be presenting three cookery demonstrations and talks on the 700-passenger ship. He will also discuss his work on devising gluten-free recipes and cookery options for people with other dietary requirements, including coeliac.

Phil is the National Food Ambassador for Coeliac UK and he said: “This part of my work is really important to me so I am keen to show guests the ‘science’ of how to successfully cook meals and choose ingredients.”

Michelin-starred Phil is one of Britain’s favourite celebrity chefs and his TV career started after he filled in for Keith Floyd on the Breakfast programme. He has appeared on the BBC’s Holiday Programme, Ready Steady Cook, Phil Vickery’s Pudding Club and he has been the resident chef on ITV’s This Morning for 15 years. He has cooked for Margaret Thatcher and John Major and had the honour of being chosen to bake the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday cake.

Between TV work and writing 14 books, Phil breeds pigs on his farm in Buckinghamshire where he lives with his wife TV presenter Fern Britton. The couple have one daughter Winnie, and three children from Fern’s first marriage; Grace, Jack and Harry.

In his ‘spare time’ sports-loving Phil follows Tottenham Hotspur FC and supports England. With so many interests and plenty of energy Phil thinks he will love his time on Sapphire, from jogging round the ship in the mornings to exploring the fine dining options.

He said: “I will no doubt find being on Sapphire a fun and relaxing experience and it will be so good, sitting on the deck talking to guests - and I also understand draught Spitfire beer is served on board. That’s my favourite pint, so it just gets better!”

25 nights from £5,054 departing from Dover on May 30, 2015. Price includes Price includes UK travel package to and from Dover, all meals and entertainment, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free Wi-Fi internet, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), travel insurance and additional cancellation cover.

(Photo credit to Phil Vickery/Saga Travel)

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Saga wins best specialist small cruise line at British Travel Awards - and here's why

Saga Pearl II

Saga has scooped the British Travel Award title for the Best Specialist Small Ship Cruise Line. Saga Cruises left other companies in the shadows because with Saga everything is taken care - from the minute guests leave their front door.

The Saga cruise price includes a myriad of extras that often come at an additional price on other cruise lines, so it’s no wonder 98% of Saga passengers describe their cruise as 'good' or 'excellent'.

Elegant 700-passenger Saga Sapphire and 400-passenger Saga Pearl II are small, friendly and intimate ships yet boast spacious and comfortable lounges, bars and dining areas. The ships also get into the heart of destinations that many other ships cannot reach, including Venice.

Here’s 20 reasons to demonstrate that, while Saga ships may be small, they are big on value and why 75% of customers choose to sail with us time and time again:

1. Door-to-door chauffeur service to the port and return, up to 250 miles each way
2. Free shuttle bus from the ship’s port to the nearest town, if the distance is more than 500 yards
3. Travel insurance and additional cancellation cover
4. 24-hour room service
5. Ratio of two crew to three passengers
6. All onboard gratuities included
7. Free wifi
8. Free fitness classes and use of fully equipped gym
9. Daily classes, quizzes and activities
10. Free sauna and solarium
11. Inside and outside pools
12. Porterage of luggage
13. Full evening entertainment programme including guest musicians and comedians
14. Free lectures by A-list authors, historians, celebrity gardeners & wildlife experts
15. Bridge visits to meet the captain, plus captain’s welcome cocktail party
16. Themed cruises – including food, wine, music, literary, arts, gardens, architecture & history
17. Fine dining – choose from buffet or waiter service, plus barbecues when weather permits
18. Full afternoon tea each day
19. Thermos-cooled water in each cabin and bottled water on all shore excursions
20. 24-hour quality tea and freshly ground-bean coffee

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Enjoy a fabulous fortnight aboard Saga Sapphire

Balearic Islands

Uncover the centuries of history and fascinating cultures at the heart of some of the most famous cities of the Iberian Peninsula on this Spanish Adventure itinerary on-board Saga Sapphire. Take time to explore the variety of sights in modern Lisbon, artistic Barcelona and vivacious Valencia, and more.

Departing from Southampton enjoy two relaxing days at sea before arriving at Lisbon in Portugal. Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides.

A day at sea follows before calling into Almería in Spain. Almería is an old Moorish town, founded by Calipha Abd-ar-Rahman III of Cordoba in 955AD. Its mighty castle, the Alcazaba, is the second-largest Muslim fortress in Spain after the Alhambra in Granada. During the Middle Ages the city was one of the major Moorish strongholds in Andalusia, and it was attacked on numerous occasions by the Christians. It was also a centre for silk production. Almería was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, in 1489, and was devastated by a violent earthquake in 1522. The port also suffered from raids by Barbary pirates throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. The discovery of iron ore in the province brought renewed prosperity to the city in the 1800s. Since the 1960s, the pleasant climate has attracted many tourists to Almería, and the district has also become a centre for intensive agricultural production, with massive ‘invernaderos’ (plastic greenhouses) allowing farmers to grow vegetables all year round.

The port of Alicante in Spain follows the next day. The principal city of the Costa Blanca, Alicante (or Alicant), is a port and popular seaside resort built around a natural harbour area. Situated in the shadow of Mount Benacantil, Alicante is a mixture of different styles and influences, and was once the home of Greek and Roman settlers before the Moors took control in the 8th century. Alicante is home to the imposing 16th-century Castle of Santa Barbara, which looms majestically over the city, as well as the tree-lined waterfront promenade of the Explanada de España. Also worth seeing is the 18th-century town hall, whose marble staircase is marked with a metal disc, used as a reference point in the measurement of sea levels around the whole of Spain.

The following day sees the ship dock in Palma, Majorca. Palma is the cosmopolitan capital of Majorca, the most popular and largest of the Balearic Islands with its host of bars, restaurants and stylish shops, a palm-shaded seafront promenade and attractive Old Town. Past settlers have left their mark on this vibrant city, and it retains a wealth of attractions, including the Bellver Castle which has dominated the skyline since the 14th century, and also the cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece which took over 400 years to complete. Undoubtedly one of Palma’s best features is the main promenade, lined with plane trees and abloom with colourful flowers. If you want to seek a little solace from city life, the beautiful Parc de Mar is built on several levels and its focal points are a manmade lake and a colourful mural by Joan Miro, who also co-designed the park.

Barcelona, Spain, follows the next day. Barcelona is a stylish and dynamic city with spectacular Mediterranean scenery and an infectious party atmosphere, best experienced in the mosaic-paved Ramblas area, the city's social hub, filled with open-air cafes, street entertainers and flower displays. During the summer months the city is abuzz with festivities, and the sunshine can be enjoyed virtually throughout the whole year. Awash with culture and art, Barcelona has been home to many famous artists including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and the eccentric architect Antoni Gaudi, whose surprising and striking work can be seen throughout the city. Look out for his beautifully-coloured and detailed buildings, which seem to grow organically out of the ground.

Valencia, Spain, is the next port of call. Spain's third-largest city, Valencia lies on the Mediterranean coast some 217 miles south of Barcelona. Madrid is a similar distance inland. Gastronomically, the region is home to Paella, Spain's most famous dish. Historically, it is believed that the Holy Grail resides in Valencia's cathedral and it was here that El Cid fought the Moors. The Valencia climate tends to be mild all year round and one of Spain's greatest festivals, Las Fallas, takes place every March when revellers enjoy a week-long party with fireworks and massive bonfires every night. The city has a wealth of fascinating buildings and museums, including the modern Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, situated in the former bed of the river Túria, which was diverted to a new course following a tragic flood in 1957. In 2007 and 2010 Valencia was the venue of the America's Cup sailing yacht competition, the only European city to have hosted this event.

A well-earned day at sea follows before the final port of call of Gibraltar. Tagged on to the end of Iberia, the intriguing British outpost of Gibraltar is dominated by a sandy peninsula and the stunning 1,400-feet-high limestone Rock. Although small, Gibraltar has always been seen as having great strategic importance on account of its advantageous position where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, just 12 miles from the coast of Africa. Ever popular with British holidaymakers, Gibraltar is very much a home from home, boasting excellent duty-free shopping in many familiar British high street shops.

Three days at sea follow before the ship returns to Southampton on this no-fly cruise.

This 15-night cruise departing on 14 October 2015 starts from £2,300 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.

(Photo credit to Saga Travel)

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Enjoy a dazzling dance performance from Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor

Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor

Discover the classic cities of Rome, Florence and Barcelona on the Wonders of the Mediterranean itinerary on-board Saga Sapphire.

Step aboard Saga Sapphire as she heads to the Mediterranean Sea and traces the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Pause at the British outpost of Gibraltar, head to the sparkling shores of Italy, visit the vibrant Spanish cities of Barcelona and Valencia, and spend time in Oporto – the home of Portugal's famous fortified wine.

This voyage also includes a dazzling dance performance from Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor! Dance enthusiasts, and fans of BBC1's 'Strictly', can also look forward to a Q&A evening with Kristina and Robin, as well as a special dance workshop with this professional dance duo. On this ballroom and Latin themed cruise – ideal for seasoned dancers and beginners alike – you'll be able to enjoy expert tuition from our dance tutor, Nick Miles. Take to the floor for some after-dinner dances – from waltz to cha-cha – and follow Kristina and Robin's inspirational lead.

Russian Kristina Rihanoff began dancing at the age of seven, and by the age of 21 she was competing professionally in America. She has won numerous international awards including at the prestigious World Exhibition at the Blackpool Dance Festival. Now retired from competitive dancing Kristina has been a regular on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing in 2008 she was paired with the nation's favourite John Sergeant, other celebrity partners have included the boxer Joe Calzaghe, Goldie, Jason Donovan, Colin Salmon, Ben Cohen and in 2014 Simon Webbe.

Ipswich born Robin Windsor joined Strictly in in 2010, partnering Patsy Kensit, followed by Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden in 2013, but a back injury prevented him from joining the show in 2014. Robin has been dancing since a child, competed in dance competitions throughout his youth and has represented England in the World Championships, as well as performing on Broadway and the West End. Robin and Kristina met on Strictly Come Dancing and are now professional dance partners.

Nick Miles has been dancing from an early age and is now co-principal of the Star Dance Club, running a successful school in London and Kent with his partner Mark Willemite, and training pupils at all levels from beginner to professional.

As a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) he is involved in the running of competitions throughout the country. He is also a member of the British Dance Council and of the Everyone is Born to Dance Committee.

In 1999 along with Richard Hunt he introduced the Grand Finals weekend at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, an event that now attracts over 4,000 competitors, and working alongside Peggy Spencer MBE he oversees the annual Ballroom Blitz, a showpiece of the London social dance calendar. In 2002 he received the Imperial Award for services to the ISTD and has also received the Carl Alan Award for services to dance.

(Photo credit to Saga Travel)

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Spend Christmas at sea on a Saga cruise

Forget the cold winter and the cooking over Christmas and the New Year on a sunshine Saga cruise. There are still a few cabins available on Saga Sapphire or Saga Pearl II.

Christmas in the Canaries

Have yourself a merry little Christmas on Saga Sapphire’s (above) 20-night Christmas in the Canaries cruise. This special sailing includes a chance to spend the night in Marrakech and watch the fireworks over Madeira on New Year’s Eve.
Cruise on the chic and friendly Saga Sapphire from Southampton on 21 December with further ports of call including four of the Canary Islands, Agadir, Casablanca, Lisbon and Gibraltar.  Price from £3,699

A Mediterranean Christmas

Saga Pearl II will be sailing into the sunshine on a Mediterranean Christmas cruise which will give passengers time to explore the glorious historic cities of Rome, Nice, Florence and Barcelona, as well as the contrasting islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily.
Christmas Day will be spent at sea so passengers can get into the full Christmas spirit and on Boxing Day Saga Pearl II will sail in to Almeria, just the place to walk off the excesses!

A highlight of this festive 23-night cruise will be the spectacular fireworks over the harbour in  Valletta, in Malta, on New Year’s Eve. Price from £4,099, departing Southampton on 21 December

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Saga Sapphire's Nordic 2015 eclipse cruise

Take a journey to witness the solar eclipse and stargaze in the clear night skies on
Saga Sapphire’s Nordic Eclipse cruise in March 2015. An astronomy expert will be on board to help passengers understand the wonders of the solar system during stargazing sessions and fascinating talks.

Saga Sapphire will follow the stars to Bergen, Geiranger, one of Norway's outstanding fjord landscapes, Andalsnes, Lerwick, and the Faroe Islands.

On March 20, Saga Sapphire will be at sea for the total eclipse. The last port of call will be Kirkwall, on the Orkney Islands.

12 nights from £2,289 departing Southampton on 11 March 2015. Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals, all on-board activities and entertainment, daily afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee, free Wi-Fi, all gratuities, porterage, shuttle bus to town centres from the port of call, and travel insurance.

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Saga announces 2015 maiden ports of call to meet demand for new destinations

In 2015 Saga ships will make inaugural calls to destinations in Spain, Finland and Denmark.

Alcudia, Majorca (above)
Saga Pearl II will make her maiden call to Alcudia, in Majorca, as part of a 16-night Springtime in the Mediterranean cruise. Although Alcudia will be new to Pearl II, the town is steeped in history; it has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and the Romans put it in the history books when they arrived in the bay and captured Alcudia in 123 BC.
The vast stretch of sandy beach is now lined with cafes, restaurants and shops and the old town, surrounded by a medieval wall, is well preserved with houses dating to the 13th century.
Saga Pearl II departs Southampton on April 26 for 16 nights, prices from £2,989

Rauma and Kemi, Finland
The Gulf of Bothnia cruise includes two new ports of call and guests will be able to witness the white nights of summer and immerse themselves in Scandinavia's fascinating past.
Rauma, on Finland’s west coast, flourished until the 17th century when it was devastated by two fires. The town centre was rebuilt in a neo-Renaissance style and guests will love visiting the now listed UNESCO  World Heritage Site.
The second maiden port of call, Kemi, was founded in 1869 at the mouth of the River Kemijoki, a natural deep-water port. 
Saga Pearl II departs Dover on June 23 for 15 nights.

Fredericia, Denmark
On the Voyage of the Vikings, Saga Sapphire will make her first call at Fredericia on the Jutland peninsula. Founded in 1650 by King Frederick III, it was intended as a fortress to protect Jutland and remains a military base to this day. Visitors can take the sentry path and walk around the ramparts that encircle the town or stroll 500 yards to Øster Strand beach, which has been awarded the European Blue Flag.
Saga Sapphire departs from Dover on August 12 for 11 nights, prices from £2,257

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Novelist Ruth Rendell on Saga Sapphire cruise

Crime writer Ruth Rendell will be headlining Saga’s Meet-the-Author series on Saga Sapphire’s Baltic Treasures cruise in May 2015.

More formally known as Baroness Rendell of Babergh, Lady Rendell is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of her career as an author. She will take part in a Q & A session with passengers who will each receive a copy of her new novel The Girl Next Door. The best-selling novelist travels the world but has chosen Saga for her first luxury cruise. She said: “I never usually take holidays but this one looked rather nice."

The Saga Sapphire Baltic Treasures cruise sails from Southampton for 16 nights on 6 May 2015. Prices from £2879.  Ports of call include Ronne, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg overnight stay; Tallin Riga,  Warnermunde  Ijmuiden. The ship will sail through the Kiel Canal on the outward and return journey.

Price includes VIP chauffeur service all meals and entertainment, free wifi, daily afternoon tea,24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited quality tea and coffee, all gratuities, porterage, shuttle bus to town centres from port of call and travel insurance and cancellation cover.

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Saga and Fjordland Melodies

Think “Norway” and you’re thinking of one the most visually spectacular places in the world. Winding fjords lined by snow-capped mountains with waterfalls thundering down thousand-foot cliffs to the still waters below while eagles waft lazily across the bow of your ship.

The fjords may be stunning but there is plenty to more to enjoy in this scenic part of the world as the towns and cities with their architecture frozen in time and exquisite seafood-based cuisine are complemented by the people being so friendly.

And Saga's Fjordland Memories voyage will encapsutale much of it, spending three leisurely days cruising the Hardangerfjord during the unique Hardanger Music Festival, with musicians from the festival performing on board against a backdrop of breath-taking scenery.

The voyage starts in picturesque Bergen (above), however, where there will be a chance to visit composer Edvard Greig’s former home at Troldhaugen. After exploring the old town,

it's back on to the ship for a leisurely drink in the bar as Saga Sapphire sets sail out of the lovely harbour.

Passengers will then be able to fully enjoy the Music Festival and the local natural beauty, just at the time the fruit orchards are in bloom. But you can’t come to Norway without seeing the fjords and this cruise takes in one of the finest, with the classic vista of precipitous cliffs and waterfalls, plus the small settlement of Eidfjord, as the gateway to Norway’s largest National Park. Here, the clear blue sky sets the off the snow-capped mountains perfectly and it is a wonderful place to disembark and just wander the fabulous pathways.

The colossus of Hardangerfjord also gives rise to the lesser-visited Sorfjord (below) at one end, with the traditional town of Odda set at the foot of the mountains. Here, guests can view the beautiful waterfalls of the Odda Valley on a panoramic drive or perhaps take in the interesting Tyssedal Hydropower Museum.

Saga's 7-night Fjordland Memories cruise costs from £909 and departs Dover on June 2,

calling at Bergen, Ulvik, Eidfjord and Odda.

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

For a fuller version of this feature, see our website on this link.

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It's Saga Week On World of Cruising!

By Editor Simon Veness

Get ready for a full week of Saga Cruises here at World of Cruising this week, with a whole range of stories, insight and special offers from Britain's classic cruise line.

Starting tomorrow (Feb 11), we will have a new story each day on an aspect of the Dover-based company, who operate two ships - Saga Pearl II and Saga Sapphire - on a series of extensive voyages that appeal to the serious cruiser.

Taking it day by day, we will devote our new-look main website - www.worldofcruising.co.uk - to the full Saga story, with an in-depth look at what they do and a full week's worth of special offers, with follow-up stories here at Time Spent At Sea and our Twitter account, @WorldofCruising.

Both Saga ships offer a contrasting experience and a tempting programme of voyages, varying from 3 days to extended 20 and 30-day grand voyages to the Black Sea, Caribbean and further afield, with most setting sail from Dover but many from Southampton as well. There are themed cruises and Christmas cruises, plus special guests like Dame Stella Rimington (ex-MI5) and Dr Ann Birchall of the Antiques Roadshow and a 100th anniversary commemoration of the Gallipoli campaign in April 2015.

Intimate and casual, the 18,591-ton Saga Pearl II (left) is small enough to go where many big ships can't and features more off-the-beaten-track ports of call as a result, but still with a full array of amenities and facilities on board, including excellent dining, a choice of bars and lounges, plus an indoor pool, sauna and the latest fitness equipment.

The 37,301-ton Saga Sapphire (below) is the former five-star Europa of stylish Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, fully renovated and redesigned internally for British guests and maximum comfort, with a rather more contemporary style but still carrying only a maximum of 720 passengers. The vessel boasts spacious cabins, a state-of-the-art Spa, full promenade deck, three dining venues and a great range of public rooms, including the classic Britannia Lounge for afternoon tea.

All Saga dining is fully open seating (although there are fixed-seating tables if you prefer),

meaning you can dine when you like with whom you like, and it all comes with a friendly, efficient service that marks Saga out as one of the true individuals in the cruise world today. All cruises also feature a specialist lecture programme into the areas and ports visited by the ships, with expert guests to add real depth to the voyage.

Other Saga extras include:

• Door-to-door chauffeur service
• Travel insurance and additional cancellation cover
• All onboard gratuities
• 24 hour room service
• Free shuttle bus to take you to the nearest town centre
• Porterage of luggage

Now, be sure to tune in to Time Spent At Sea every day this coming week for more great news and offers on Saga cruises, and see more on our main website. And get ready to set sail!

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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Saga's 2015 Gallipoli Anniversary Commemoration

On April 25, 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed in Anzac Cove. For eight months it was the base for army troops during the Battle of Gallipoli, where thousands of lives were lost on both sides. On April 25, 2015, Saga Cruises' Saga Sapphire will be anchored off the cove and a commemorative service on board will mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign.

There will also be visits to the Gallipoli battlefield and the Greek island of Lemnos, near the entrance of the Dardenelles, which acted as the muster point for the landings. The World War One theme continues with musical acts ‘to entertain the troops’, from tea dances to singers evoking the wartime era, plus fundraising activities for the Royal British Legion.

Passengers will also be invited to join the ship’s War Literature Club – a chance to read and discuss poetry, novels and letters from World War One, accompanied by an expert on this literary genre. The all-inclusive cruise also offers passengers the chance to discover the architectural wonders of Greece and its islands. There will be an overnight stay in Piraeus, with ample time to visit Athens and explore its ancient treasures.

Iraklion, Crete's largest city, offers a maze of historical delights, including the 16th century Venetian Koules Fortress and Fountain of the Lions built in 1628.

Saga Sapphire departs Southampton on April 5, 2015, for 31-nights visiting El Ferrol, Cartagena and Palma, Spain; Tunis, Tunisia; Piraeus, Syros, Thessaloniki and Lemnos, Greece; Canakkale, Istanbul, Anzac Cove, Turkey; Iraklion, Crete; Valletta and Gibraltar.

Prices are  from £3,499pp, including VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals, drinks (house-branded spirits), entertainment, 24-hour room service, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More Info: call 0800 056 8986 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Set Sail For Mystery With Saga!

One of the most popular voyages in the Saga Cruises calendar is the Mystery Cruise, with passengers putting their holiday in the hands of the ship’s captain. And, with all-inclusive drinks, there’s bound be a party atmosphere adventure!

Saga Sapphire’s Captain Philip Rentell (above) is a favourite among passengers and he has devised a magical, mystery tour to seven ports, in a minimum of three countries, for his fun Mystery Cruise.

Capt Rentell promises there will be three maiden ports of call, so even well-travelled passengers can rest assured they will be visiting places where Saga Sapphire has never docked before.

Only Captain Rentell and his Chief Purser will be privy to the secret destinations – and they will not accept bribes under any circumstances!

The ports will be announced once the ship has berthed and a half-day surprise tour will be included at each port. No cheating will be allowed and all passenger electronic charts will be turned off to ensure that destinations are really is a surprise!

This all-inclusive 16-night cruise, set to leave Southampton on December 1, is sure to get everyone in the mood for Christmas and there will be opportunities to buy gifts ashore and duty free items on board.

The fun, full programme of activities will also mean there will be plenty more mysteries to solve during the cruise...

Want to know more? Call free on 0800 056 8986 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

Prices are from £2,299, departing Southampton on December 1 and returning December 16.

The holiday includes all house-brand spirits, cocktails, beer, mixers and soft drinks, a return chauffeur service up to 250 miles each way, travel insurance, all meals onboard, including 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party and Captain’s Dinner, unlimited tea and coffee, entertainment and activities, all on-board gratuities, port taxes and visas and porterage.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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