Cruise Talk: BLEU DE FRANCE to SAGA SAPPHIRE

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...She's the next in a fine line for Cunard, and today (April 19), Queen Anne officially joined the luxury cruise line's iconic fleet during a historic handover ceremony in Italy. Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice – where master shipbuilders have been constructing the...

Latest News...Princess Cruises and ship builder Fincantieri today announced the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess. Following a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, both parties have elected to adjust the ship's delivery date from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025, which will result in the cancellation of the nine...

Latest News...Seabourn announced this week that the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit, the line's newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition ship. >Seabourn is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. The naming of Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit serves as a symbolic gesture...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » BLEU DE FRANCE to SAGA SAPPHIRE (Page 1)

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

Author

Topic: BLEU DE FRANCE to SAGA SAPPHIRE

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 03-26-2012 02:17 PM

Then and Now

More Saga Sapphire

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 03-26-2012 02:30 PM

Thank you, Pam, for all the great photos. I cannot say I am trilled with Saga's new funnel logo, but otherwise the ship looks fine. The new balcony-staterooms look fine and look as if they were always part of the ship. Long may she sail!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 03-26-2012 02:46 PM

I borrowed two of your shots to look at both the Sapphire if she had the more traditional funnel livery, and also the Ruby with the new livery..

Traditional Sapphire

Revised Ruby?

[ 03-26-2012: Message edited by: Thad ]

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 03-26-2012 03:35 PM

Great Thad

Hmm, well, I do really like [honest] the new livery on SAGA SAPPHIRE, but somehow it does not look quite right on SAGA RUBY. When is she going to be done?

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 03-26-2012 03:54 PM

I was told this morning that the port side livery of the funnel is completely different from the starboard side. Apparently the forward half is shaded blue, with white on the aft half, bearing the name "Saga."

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02177/saga_2177690b.jpg

Pam, can you confirm that?

Rich

[ 03-26-2012: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

OceanVoyager
First Class Passenger
Member # 5585

posted 03-26-2012 05:46 PM

Nice pics Pam.
Here are my selection, firstly on the way hoem from work this evening...

Here she is earlier in the day being passed by one of the World's largest container ships, the flagship of the French Line CMA CGM...

Brgds,
Andrew

Posts: 627 | From: Hythe, Southampton, UK | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

SSTRAVELER
First Class Passenger
Member # 15170

posted 03-26-2012 06:13 PM

Any getting aboard? I am anxious to see the interiors.

Posts: 757 | From: New York | Registered: May 2008 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 03-26-2012 06:23 PM

She looks good except for the funnel, which is dreadful. Gradients do not belong on funnels!

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 03-26-2012 06:27 PM

Email Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES

Hi Pam

Great pictures as usual.

I would have thought that during the refit she would have been fitted with covered lifeboats but from the pictures it appears she still has several open boats.
.

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 03-26-2012 06:30 PM

The funnel is awful but Saga did a fantastic job on the new verandas. They look a little like a covered promenade deck directly under the boats.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 03-26-2012 06:51 PM

'Then'

[ 03-26-2012: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 03-26-2012 06:59 PM

So she is already acquainted with her now fleetmate

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI2
First Class Passenger
Member # 35998

posted 03-26-2012 08:19 PM

Excellent photos Pam, that's the kind of ship I would take a cruise on...nothing big. It's just right. BTW, I didn't think a graduated funnel looked bad on the SS NORWAY:

I'm scanning all of my photos from my 1994 cruise. I still have to resize my images, so I apologize for the hugeness of the photo.

Posts: 687 | From: Olney, IL, Move to FL 02/2015, Sailed SS NORWAY 3 xs. /May '99 Orig. Reg. | Registered: Aug 2010 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 03-27-2012 12:21 AM

Pam,

Wonderful pictures as always! THANK YOU for sharing them with us.

However, I will have to throw my hat in the ring with those who think the new funnel livery is just awful.

I think a single solid color or a distinct visual separation of two or more colors (as shown in the old SS Norway pictures) would have been better, but other than the light blue/medium blue colors they have chosen.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

rustaveli
First Class Passenger
Member # 1708

posted 03-27-2012 02:25 AM

Thank You very much for the pictures!! One lifeboat less (well two) and the magrodome is gone too.. That's a little strange for a world traveller, but anyway she still has a covered pool.. a very extensive job they made!

Posts: 89 | From: Locarno / Ticino - Switzerland | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 03-27-2012 08:18 AM

You are right Rich, entirely different to port. I can't say I think much of this view, but she does appear to need a bit of a wash down up there and the view was very hazy

Lovely photos Andrew. I too saw CMA CGM CHRISTOPHE COLOMB arrive, and you are a spec in one of my pictures, you might be able to find yourself here Surprising there were so few people around, she has better hull lines and curves than SAGA SAPPHIRE.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 03-28-2012 03:33 PM

WOW! Saga did a good job with the added balconies. Looks as if she had it the whole time. I don't mind the graduated funnel color scheme, but I think it would be much better if they gave it a clean look rather than have someone squiggle something on it.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Danpc5
First Class Passenger
Member # 74766

posted 03-28-2012 06:23 PM

[ 03-28-2012: Message edited by: Daniel Capella ]

Posts: 108 | From: Santos, Brazil - Biggest Cruise Port of Southern Hemisphere! | Registered: Nov 2011 | IP: Logged

Danpc5
First Class Passenger
Member # 74766

posted 03-28-2012 06:28 PM

I have not enjoyed the new SAGA livery. It's not bad, but the yellow funnel looks quite better.

I had the pleasure of being onboard her last year, and is really an amazing ship. SAGA did a good job on her interior, but changed almost everything from the original.

I will not say that she was better before, but was also not bad. There's some photos of her interior as Bleu de France here. It's good to compare with the new interiors on Sapphires blog.

One of the ship's more enjoyable places was the Zan-Zi Bar, in my opnion, but SAGA just removed that...

Posts: 108 | From: Santos, Brazil - Biggest Cruise Port of Southern Hemisphere! | Registered: Nov 2011 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 03-29-2012 07:54 AM

A pity SAGA PEARL II & SAGA SAPPHIRE are not berthed closer together. Again a haze but a chance to compare.

The distance:-

Cutting out the middlet:-

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 03-29-2012 11:52 AM

It's funny to see Europa, Vistafjord, Astor (and also Berlin) in the Saga fleet - all ships that were well established and competing in the German market.
Thanks for the nice panorama.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

OceanVoyager
First Class Passenger
Member # 5585

posted 03-31-2012 07:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Lovely photos Andrew. I too saw CMA CGM CHRISTOPHE COLOMB arrive, and you are a spec in one of my pictures, you might be able to find yourself Pam

Guilty as charged Pam. You can see me in the far left - just!

Andrew

Posts: 627 | From: Hythe, Southampton, UK | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 04-02-2012 02:40 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Cutting out the middlet:-
Pam

I'm sorry if I've overlooked the explanation, but why are there two different liveries for the funnels of the two Saga ships?

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-04-2012 01:40 PM

SAGA SAPPHIRE is the new Saga livery and SAGA PEARL II is in the previous one... whether or not she will be repainted I don't know, as in May she become QUEST FOR ADVENTURE. I have not seen anything stated by Saga themselves as to even if SAGA RUBY will take the new colours either, although others seem to think so. Even SAGA SAPPHIRE has a "yellow" funnel on their website.

She finally departed on her inaugural cruise for Saga yesterday around 17:20, a day later than the original amended itinerary and after several departure times having been listed and changed. In the freezing cold, wind and rain, puffing away rather grandly

More here and of the smoke on YouTube.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Danpc5
First Class Passenger
Member # 74766

posted 04-04-2012 08:34 PM

Someone has a link with the original deck plans of the ship?

I tryed to find this to compare the Europa deck plans with the Bleu de France ones, and now even with the Saga Shappire plans too. But I never found.

Posts: 108 | From: Santos, Brazil - Biggest Cruise Port of Southern Hemisphere! | Registered: Nov 2011 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)
This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...