Stars of the sea

Sally Taylor joins the ship on one of her voyages from the Tyne to the Mediterranean.

THERE were so many wooden walking sticks on board, one wag grinned, the ship could never sink.

It was a fair observation.

Of the 300 passengers who embarked on Saga’s first Mediterranean sailing from the Tyne, a goodly number were definitely knocking on a bit.

But they were a happy band of sailors and fiercely fond of the company that gave them the freedom to carry on cruising, however old they were.

Indeed, when it became known ‘The Press’ were on board, I got more than one knobbly finger jabbed in my shoulder accompanied by the words “Make sure you write something nice”.

And why wouldn’t I? Saga know their customers and look after them very well.

The ship for this cruise was Saga Ruby. She was the last ocean-going cruise liner built the UK – in 1973 at Swan Hunter’s Wallsend yard, so the Tyne sailing was fitting. She’s a small ship built on classic lines with promenade deck all round (seven laps make a mile) – unlike the more modern giants of the seas that stack cabins like mountains.

The cruise was called Celebrated Cities of the Mediterranean and we sailed down the east coast and picked up another 300 or so passengers at Dover before setting off for the holiday proper.

And proper it is on board with Saga. Comfort is the keyword in the day when swimsuits and shorts are fine on deck (as is smoking, portside only) but the programme of events delivered daily to your cabin carries a gentle reminder of the dress code for the evening. On this 17-day cruise there were four formal nights (definitely best bib and tucker). Informal is still pretty smart, and casual means men can go into the main dining room without a tie.

And what a dining room it is. Its staff can serve 600 diners at one sitting, and on captain’s gala night they do. As the head chef said: “When you know 600 people are going to sit down to eat at once, the heat is on.”

It takes food seven minutes from being plated two decks below to arriving at table, via serving islands along the lines of giant hostess trolleys.

But it arrives hot and if you order very rare beef, that’s how it comes. If you put in a special order for “veg cooked a little more” or “runny eggs, please”... that’s what you get. The quality and choice is superb, with locally-sourced food taken on board at ports of call wherever possible. Alternative, also excellent, dining is offered in the Lido Cafe, from early doors until the midnight buffet. There’s also elegant afternoon tea served in the ballroom and the exclusive View restaurant, where booking is essential.

And for afters... the entertainment.

Our press group joined the cruise in Italy for the final seven days, just missing a performance by singer Katherine Jenkins, who had obviously been the star of the sea.

But we did see flautist Clare Langan, a Durham University music graduate who got everyone in the mood with Glen Miller, plus a bit of the Irish, Scottish and Welsh. Another star turn, she delighted everyone.

Daytime entertainment is well catered for, from ballroom and linedancing lessons, through cinema shows, target golf and quizzes to lectures.

The ship’s chief engineer, John Faulkner, gave a fascinating talk, called The Dinosaur Below, about Saga Ruby’s engine rooms, where 90 per cent of the machinery is original and where, like in the kitchens, the heat is frequently on. There are daily lectures, also, about forthcoming ports of call.

On this cruise the ports included Florence, Rome and Barcelona and a select group of art lovers had paid a £320 premium for special workshops and excursions to some of the world’s finest galleries. For the rest of us it was enough to pop into Barcelona and take a look at Gaudi’s quirky architecture from a city tour bus, join a Lake cruise and sip wine to classical music, or enjoy the forever popular wine-tasting visit.

But the essence of the holiday was the life on board – comfy cabins, a chirpy and attentive Filipino crew, 24-hour free room service and friendships forged over the never-ending food.

As Harold and Doreen Marriott, of Spofforth, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, said, you pay a bit more, but at their age – 85 and 79 – Saga’s all-in package proves invaluable.

“We packed our bags, put them in the hall and the next time we saw them they were in our cabin,” said Harold, impressed at the Mercedes that had taken them from home to ship. Doreen had won £100 at bingo, treated “lovely new friends” to bubbly and said everything had been fantastic.

The high-age profile had, in truth, disappointed a few on board, but the Med trip is a classic run for the golden oldies. Saga has more adventurous holidays that draw a younger clientele, among them three from the Tyne next summer. Ruby sails from the North-East on an Arctic Adventure, travelling to the end of the world at the North Cape in June and has a Baltic cruise that includes sailing with the Tall Ships out of St Petersburg during their annual summer race. There’s also a seven-day cruise round the Norwegian fjords.

TRAVEL FACTS

Saga prices include a door-todoor service. There is a choice of a private car if you live up to 75 miles from the port, or a shared car service if you live between 76 and 250 miles of the port. Alternatively, return standard class rail or coach travel or return domestic flights, subject to availability, are offered. The cost also includes insurance, all tips, port taxes, porters and visas.

On board, draught lager costs £1.95 a pint and a tonic water costs 50p.

There is no single supplement.

Saga cruises are for people aged 50 and over. A travelling companion may be aged 40 or over.

Saga cruises are available direct and through branches of Thomas Cook. For further information visit saga.co.uk/travel-shop or call 0800-056-5880 to request a brochure.