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Originally posted by barconauta:
Saga ruby do is last call today in Portugal. By the way is still the hipotese taht it can be here more time because of the weather outside, and tomorrow if it stays here it will be with Saga Pearl II. [...]

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Capt.'s comments about the weather yesterday

Pam

[ 01-06-2014: Message edited by: PamM ]

[ 01-06-2014: Message edited by: Ernst ]

I think she has planned this weather to delay the inevitable as long as possible

As an aside - Saga Sapphire arrived in Southampton yesterday evening instead of this morning and her 16:00 departure today has been changed to Midday tomorrow. Adonia is arriving early this evening instead of tomorrow - and Aurora did the same a few days ago.

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Originally posted by PamM:
Saga could off load all the passengers in Lisbom[...]

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Originally posted by PamM:
As an aside - Saga Sapphire arrived in Southampton yesterday evening instead of this morning

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I was on this Saga Sapphire cruise, and we arrived back in Southampton early because we did not call at La Coruna as planned. Captain said that because of forecast 40 knot winds and 9 metre swells, it would be very difficult and uncomfortable, if not dangerous, to make that call. It was a very bumpy ride back across the Bay of Biscay.

How was the cruise Tony? I saw some photos of QE bouncing around on departing La Coruna the other day, probably when you should have been there too? It can be very rough outside the harbour. She left Southampton at Midday today as planned yesterday

And here is the photos from departure.

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Originally posted by PamM:

How was the cruise Tony? I saw some photos of QE bouncing around on departing La Coruna the other day, probably when you should have been there too?

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We should have been in La Coruna at the same time as QE. Ships usually seem to catch the swell as they leave this place, as I have found out on previous occasions.

I found Saga Sapphire a very comfortable ship. The cabins were of a good size, and although she was full, there were always seats to be found in the public rooms. The single sitting for meals was good, although most people seemed to head for the dining room in the evening as soon as it opened. The variety and quality of food was very good, and afternoon tea was excellent. The alternative dining in the East to West restaurant, serving Asian food was also excellent, and provided at no extra charge.

I thought the ship handled the rough seas very well. There were gales in the Bay of Biscay both ways. She slowed down a little going south, but going north, we were pushing along at 16 - 17 knots with no problem. The spray was coming well over the bow and soaking the open promenade decks, but you could still move around with care. The movement was too much for a good number of the elderly passengers who were not steady on their feet, and who remained in their cabins in the rough weather.

We had encountered strong winds earlier in La Gomera which prevented us from leaving because it was blowing the stern onto the quay, and no tug was available here. We eventually left about 28 hours late and had to miss out our call in La Palma as a consequence.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable cruise and I would not hesitate to sail on Saga Sapphire again.

Saga Pearl II is current just south of the Isle of Wight with Ruby about 2 hours behind her [seems she has caught up a bit with her fleetmate].

and a kiss from QM2

SAGA RUBY was on her at 15:20 - 10 January

more pictures here and Video clip

Pam

[ 01-10-2014: Message edited by: PamM ]

Rather interesting that the ' Saga Ruby ' has not been flying a paying off pendant on her final cruise with Saga Cruises.

I sailed on the final cruises of the P & O ' ss Strathmore ' and the ' ss Oriana ' and although the ships were sold to other operators on both final cruises we were flying our paying off pendant.
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[ 01-11-2014: Message edited by: Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company. ]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50194818@N05/?details=1

I've also uploaded a couple of pics of the floating 5* hotel SUNBORN GIBRALTAR which is currently berthed at Coaling Island but is due any day now to be shifted to her new permanent home at Marina Bay.

Best

But as i saw on the pictures taken by *ahrpd* show that there is no name painted on her bow.

See them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50194818@N05/

Best