Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2012 by Shawn Dake
SAGA RUBY To Be Retired
By
Shawn J. Dake
SAGA RUBY in Los Angeles. Photo Martin Cox Feb 25, 2006
Saga Holidays has announced the impending retirement of their classic cruise ship SAGA RUBY. The vessel will sail a final season of farewell cruises throughout 2013 which will mark its 40th year in service. Built as the VISTAFJORD in 1973, the 24,492 gross ton SAGA RUBY is in many ways a ship of lasts. It was the last ship built for the Norwegian America Line. The construction contract was awarded to the Swan Hunter & Tyne Shipbuilders, Ltd., at Wallsend on the Tyne as Yard Number 39, and launched on May 15, 1972. She was delivered to her owners exactly one year later, to the day. It would turn out to be the final passenger ship to be built in Great Britain.
VISTAFJORD in Norwegian America Line colors at Port Everglades, Florida on January 23, 1983 with AMERIKANIS in the background. Photo by Shawn J. Dake.
The exterior design was of a classic ocean liner and very similar to her earlier fleet mate SAGAFJORD. Although a contemporary of the early 1970’s cruise ships of companies like Royal Caribbean, Royal Viking and Norwegian Caribbean Lines, the ship was not given their then contemporary cruise ship lines. Instead, she was every inch a traditional liner although intended mainly for cruising. In that respect too, her traditional profile was the last of its kind. Even after the restyled Norwegian America Cruises ceased operations and sold the ship to Cunard in 1983, it still had another end-of-an-era moment in store. After sailing for many years under her original name, the much-loved VISTAFJORD became the CARONIA in 1999. It would be the last Cunard Line ship to utilize the traditional “ia” naming suffix that the vast majority of the line’s ships, other than the Queens had used throughout the company’s history.
Her career as CARONIA was brief. On May 30, 2003 Saga Holidays announced that they had acquired the ship which would sail a final 2004 season of cruises under the Cunard red/orange and black funnel colors. In March of 2005, newly renamed the SAGA RUBY, the beautiful ship reemerged with a flattering new color scheme sporting a dark blue hull and white superstructure, topped by a yellow funnel with a dark blue top separated by a thin white band. Once again, the ship was reunited with her near-sister the SAGAFJORD which had been renamed SAGA ROSE following a brief stint under charter as the GRIPSHOLM for Transocean Tours over the winter of 1996/97. The two would remain together in the Saga fleet until 2009 when the SAGA ROSE was retired, sailing on to meet her fate in a Chinese scrap yard in 2010.
SAGA ROSE and SAGA RUBY in their last year together, 2009. Photo by Eric Shenton at Southampton January 5, 2009.
The announcement from Saga Cruises came as a bit of a surprise as the SAGA RUBY remains a very popular ship with those who still love a traditional liner. Much more human-size than today’s mega-ships, the passenger capacity is 661 served by a crew of 380. In making the announcement of her retirement from the Saga fleet at the beginning of 2014, the line acknowledged that many passengers will look forward to the opportunity to make a final cruise on the ship. Robin Shaw, CEO of Saga Shipping said: “SAGA RUBY has delighted cruise-goers for some 40 years, but operating a ship of this age to meet the exacting standards we and others set is becoming an increasing challenge. We have therefore decided that she should be gracefully retired in 18 months. SAGA RUBY will, in her ruby anniversary year, visit many of the ports where she has been warmly welcomed over the years. We believe that Saga cruising has a great deal of potential and we have invested over the last few years well over £100 million on our fleet and we continue to look for opportunities to expand and improve our classic cruise experience.”
In her final year, the ship will undertake one final Round the World Cruise as well as cruising to many of the ports she has visited throughout her long years of service, giving her loyal followers plenty of opportunity to say farewell to this much loved classic liner. Taking her place will be another member of the Saga fleet. After sailing briefly as the QUEST FOR ADVENTURE (ex ASTOR, ARKONA, ASTORIA, SAGA PEARL II), the 18,627 gross ton, 500-passenger ship will return to her former livery and name, again becoming the SAGA PEARL II. Just this year the 37,301 gross ton, 750-passenger SAGA SAPPHIRE (ex EUROPA, SUPERSTAR EUROPE, SUPERSTAR AIRES, HOLIDAY DREAM, BLEU DE FRANCE) also joined the fleet. Grant Laversuch, Operations Director for Saga Shipping reports, “SAGA SAPPHIRE is now very much into her first cruise season and running well. It is a stunning ship and we are very proud to have her.” While all three of Saga Cruises current three ships are comfortable and very well-designed vessels, the classic lines and elegant interiors of the SAGA RUBY will be sorely missed on the world’s shipping lanes. There are already too few passenger ships like this left, and by 2014 there will be one less out there to please the eye and stir the hearts of liner lovers everywhere.
SAGA RUBY detail Los Angeles, photo © Martin Cox Feb 25, 2006
Kalle Id
July 23, 2012 at 12:02 am
Saga Cruises should have the good sense to lift the age restreictions of their operation at least for some cruises on the SAGA RUBY’s final season. I for one would go if I wasn’t far too young.
Also, with regards to the QUEST FOR ADVENTURE (once and future SAGA PEARL II), she has kept the exact same livery as the QUEST as she had as the PEARL. Hence, I’m not sure how accurate it is to say that the “ship will return to her former livery” as the former livery is, in fact, the current.
Stephen Moore
July 23, 2012 at 12:34 am
Unlike Saga Rose which had the spectre of SOLAS 2010 hanging over her Saga Ruby may attract a buyer for futher service. Saga did try hard to find a trading home for the Rose before selling her the the Chinese for scrap so hopefully they would be happy to sell the Ruby to a trading buiyer as well.
Graeme Martin
July 23, 2012 at 1:08 am
Still good looking ships
Peter
July 23, 2012 at 1:44 am
This is a ship surely worth preserving on the lines of the current Rotterdam V lines. She is a beautiful; fantastic ship – and sadly the last major British built cruiseship. Hopefully she will be at a more reasonable price for someone in the UK to purchase and preserve (unlike the QE2). She’d make a fantastic boutique hotel for those about to embark on their cruises from Southampton. Let’s hope she is saved and not sent to China to be converted in to razor-blades!
Neil MacLean
July 23, 2012 at 3:51 am
Hi
I don’t want to appear super critical but surely the ship in the background of the Shawn Dake photo is a Costa liner (Federico C perhaps??) and not Amerikanis.
Kenneth Eden
July 23, 2012 at 6:25 am
I adored these two ship, SAGAFORD and VISTAFJORD, having taken my first of many sailings with the two ships when I was a teenager. I first saw the SAGAFJORD in SAN JUAN and I just had to sail her.
Over the years, first, SAGAFJORD, then came VISTAFJORD, with both ships seemingly identical, they were not, there were many changes. Norwegian America Line,changed to Noregian America Cruises, then Cunard bought them and another change, Cunard/NAC. Cunard did not rename the ships, at least, not for years. Changes to the ships were suttle at first, updated decor, new menus, a lightening up on the staid atmosphere helped to compete and compete well they did.
I can forgive the added “disco”, a two tiered level of glass and chrome to the aft deck, and the cheaply fitted out balconied suites. See, that is what happens to old ships that need to modernize in order to compete. Compete? Royal Viking was the main competition back in the day, I also adored their ships. They competed by stratching two of their ships, much to dismay of many loyal passengers who fled to Cunard/Nac. I sailed and loved the stretched ships.
Funnel colors and hull colors, NAL/NAC/Cunard/Nac, putty hull, yellow banded funnel, to Cunard CARONIA, black hull, Cunard colors on the stack, to Saga colors, the livery made no difference, its the ships and the beauty she embodied, a lady liner for all the world to see.
Saga has announced they are “exploring” a new build. As for the SAGA RUBY we can guess what her fate will be. Damn, I wish I had a huge private watering hole to take her, best darn B&B she’d be.
Phil C
July 23, 2012 at 7:17 am
Sad but inevitable news; she is quite tired now. I’ve asked Saga if they can do some tours of the ship before she goes, perhaps raising money for charity. There are many of us who are too young to go on a Saga cruise.
Captain Licata
July 23, 2012 at 8:11 am
I remeber her as the Vistafjord when I Piloted her in and out of the Port of NY & NJ. She was a beautiful ship on the inside and was a classis looking liner on the outside. Most of these new cruise ships remind me of a cheese box with a pointed end.
Kenneth Eden
July 23, 2012 at 8:25 am
Many former Costa ships shared the same funnel design, such as ANNA C, ENRICO C, FEDERICO C and others.
Sure, the SOLAS rules could and should allow for a new life for the former VISTAFJORD, however, key words in Shawns thourough article relate to the cost to expand and improve the classis cruise experience. This means, to provide what the contemporary cruise passenger demands in this highly competetive segment of the travel sector.
Look at the comely MINERVA II, rebuilt and retooled and glamorized, with a new deck, balconied cabins and alternate dining venue. TG no casino! With this all done she still offers her classic cruises, even with Bahamian registry, which in my minds eye, proves registry means nothing when it comes to the ambiance or lack of, on a ship, or cruise line.
Peter Kohler
July 23, 2012 at 9:29 am
Was fortunate enough to sail in her twice: 1983 on her very last cruise in Norwegian waters under the Norwegian ensign and twice as CARONIA… the last cruise even if suffered from engine problems and a force 8 in the Bay of Biscay) (we barely called a single scheduled port the whole trip!) was one of the best cruises I’ve been on in terms of cuisine and service.
VISTAFJORD was far nicer of course as originally built… we had 505 aboard and talk about space! Then again, her cabins were smaller than SAGAFJORD and she had a record 161 single cabins (back in the day when lines catered to single travellers) which were smaller, still. She just never felt as deluxe as SAGAFJORD as a result.
But what a lovely ship… even when new (and in that dismal year of 1973 too) she was a cherished throwback, an instant classic.
Hank
July 23, 2012 at 11:32 am
Well, what are the chances that SAGA RUBY will be preserved? My guess is slim considering that the QE2, QUEEN MARY, GREAT BRITAIN, and ROTTERDAM were saved out of the blue. Kind of a maritime miracle. And then the owners had money to pull off the job. Which is kind of another miracle. My best guess is the chances of this ship being spared the fate of her older sister are not good. But is there anyone who could give me an estimate that is more official? I doubt it because it seems to be just something that can’t be said at this point. But if someone can, I would appreciate it.
Kenneth Eden
July 23, 2012 at 12:53 pm
The date, January 23, 1983 seemed familiar to me, very much so. On that day we had disembarked from a 14 day grand Caribbean cruise, as grand as one could be.
Indeed the VISTA had a lesser feeling of grandeur than the SAGA, both were equally special ships.
Maybe, and with a million “if’s”, added to the posibilties, this marvel might actually sail for one of the classic cruise lines.
I do remember one thing from early SAGAFJORD days, the hmmm – nice Norwegian crew, and the most wonderful captain, Captain Berensen, who stayed with these ships dividing his duty between the two ships over the years. years
Joe
July 23, 2012 at 1:40 pm
We sailed on her as the Cunard Caronia. This is the ship that hooked us on cruising. The staff at that time was wonderful the food exceptional and we were fortunate to have met one of our dearest friends on this ship. I hate to see her go. Truly a classic.
John Cant
July 23, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Neil: the ship in the background is the Amerikanis. She was under charter to Costa and as I was working for Costa from 1970 to the mid 80′s, I did travel aboard her for a Caribbean cruise. A really nice ship, under charter from Chandris. Federico C had an extra pipe from her funnel and at the time of the photo, Amerikanis was the only Costa ship with this type of funnel.
Martin Wismer
July 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm
The ship pictured is indeed AMERIKANIS while operating under charter to Costa for 3&4 day Bahamas cruises.
SAGA RUBY would make an excellent companion to MARCO POLO with Cruise & Maritime. Very similar in outward appearance, size, & style.
They & Classic International are the only likely trading buyers for a ship of this vintage.
John Cant
July 23, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Kenneth: The Anna C and Enrico C were stationed in The Med at the time of this photo. The Federico C was cruising in the Caribbean, but she had an extra pipe from her funnel, so this is the Amerikanis under charter to Costa,at that time, with the Costa funnel colours. I sailed aboard her during my employment with Costa.
Dick
July 23, 2012 at 7:32 pm
The ship in the background of Shawn Dake’s photo is indeed the AMERIKANIS which operated for Costa Line under charter on the 7-day ex-San Juan cruise service for several seasons in the 1970′s.
Dan
July 23, 2012 at 9:00 pm
@Peter
With regards to preserving the Saga Ruby, how about Belfast, next to the site where the Titanic was built? The ship would look nice alongside the SS Nomadic. Don’t you agree?
Shawn Dake
July 23, 2012 at 11:45 pm
Just to reconfirm what others have already said, the ship in the background of my photograph of the VISTAFJORD is indeed the AMERIKANIS (ex KENYA CASTLE) in Costa colors, while operating under charter. Costa chartered several ships over the years, some operating more successfully than others. At one time they even had a connection to Norwegian America Line when they undertook the ill-fated charter of the OSLOFJORD, which was destroyed by fire as the FULVIA. The VISTAFJORD was one of the most gracious ships I ever had the pleasure of being aboard, first as a visitor and later as a passenger. Superb food, service and accommodations. Yes, the SAGAFJORD was a bit more elegant with her two-deck dining room and larger cabins but both ships had charming qualities that are sorely lacking in most of the mass-produced ships of today. I took the photograph in this story on a rainy evening, just moments before all the lights were turned on aboard the ship. Despite the conditions, I think it turned out rather well. I’m happy to see so much response to the story on the SAGA RUBY, a truly great ship.
Neil MacLean
July 24, 2012 at 5:34 am
Thanks for the clarifications – I wasn’t aware Amerikanis had been chartered by Costa: it would be interesting to see a full picture of her in those colours.
It is indeed sad news about Saga Ruby – she and Sagafjord were beautifully proportioned ships.
Kenneth Eden
July 24, 2012 at 6:45 am
I was merely suggesting the familial look of the Costa funnel, even the AMERIKANIS in Costa colors, however, I liked the AMERIKANIS with the Chandris “X” on the stack, and am pleased to see both Costa and Celebrity continuing their trademark logos, C and X repectively. I enjoyed a Med cruise aboard the ENRICO-C. Perhaps more unique were the funnels of the EUGENIO-C and the lovely CARLA-C.
Way back in the 1970′s and into the ’80′s there was a kindred rivalry between cruise lines, or so it seemed, whereby the cruise lines of the day were more repsectful of one another, and chartering and loaning out was practised, unlike today, with cruise lines (not all of them) seemingly more cut throat toward one another.
Perhaps there were fewer ships and fewer passengers, and far less new ships compared to today. What ther was was shared when needed.
I like the idea of having SAGA RUBY sail with MARCO POLO. Maybe with ATHENA. She’d make a lovely classic for Louis.
Oh the possibilites………..!
Peter Kohler
July 24, 2012 at 7:27 am
When I sailed in VISTAFJORD, she was exactly 10 years old and positively the most immaculate ship I’ve ever seen. Back then, even if some of the catering staff was “foreign” (i.e. European rather than all Norwegian), the deck crew was 100 per cent Norwegian. Talk about meticulous, loving maintenance.. the deck boys in their smart NAC embroidered jerseys used masking tape when touching up the paintwork and varnish; you’d think they were painting a ’56 Bentley, no they were painting a ’73 Swan & Hunter-built ocean liner, even better! The facing bulkheads were painted this warm, lovely light cream colour, the wood decks gloriously varnished with pure white caulking and the brass polished daily… I think only HMY BRITANNIA was better cared for. It was obsessional and fantastic! You simply will never, ever see ships like this again.
Griff Carey
July 24, 2012 at 9:32 am
I am very sad to see this news. Saga Rose and Saga Ruby were 2 of the nicest looking ships afloat. With so many of todays cruise ships resembling boxes on the water, these 2 were a pleasant sight to look at. She will be missed if no one can come forward to save her. Sign of the times and economy, I guess.
David L. NYC
July 24, 2012 at 9:48 am
Another beautiful ship that’s off to the breakers…why not consider building a replica?
Kalle Id
July 24, 2012 at 10:50 am
Considering that that that Louis Cruises are actively selling off their old classics and (reportedly) looking to upgrade their fleet, I somehow don’t see the SAGA RUBY ending up with them. Classic International Cruises and Cruise & Maritime Voyages are probably the only existing companies that might be interested in the RUBY – presuming that either has a need for an additional ship, that is.
The problem with preserving the SAGA RUBY is that she really doesn’t have much of a national connection which often seems to be needed for a successful preservation effort (the ROTTERDAM in the Netherlands, the GREAT BRITAIN in Great Britain, the BORE in Finland). The VISTAFJORD/SAGA RUBY was a too international for something like that, alas.
Glenn L.
July 24, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Vistafjord was prominently featured in the 1983 film Table for Five with Jon Voight and Richard Crenna. Many scenes were film on board.
david r
July 24, 2012 at 5:46 pm
VERY VERY SAD NEWS INDEED
Elias Giampuranis
July 24, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Is she SOLAS 2010 compliant? be nice to think someone else could snap her up, I always thought she would be nice preserved in the UK as last British built liner under the name Caronia,
Kenneth Eden
July 25, 2012 at 8:21 am
Here in the States, the VISTAFJORD has as much national presence as say, SAGAFJORD OSLOFJORD and BERGESFJORD, for Norway, as did KUNGSHOLM and GRIPSHOLM, for Sweden. They represented their countries with crew officers and ambiance as well as national pride. I kick myself for not having sailed with SAL.
I suppose I could console myself with NCL/America, but I can not.
Hank
July 25, 2012 at 9:12 am
Of course, there are exceptions to needing a national identity to be preseved. The QUEEN MARY, DOULOS, ANCERVILLE and KUNGSHOLM are all preserved in foreign ports far from their country. of course, all of those ships are not as they were originally built. There have been many changes made, but they still have many original features as well. Except for the DOULOS which is mostly rebuilt, but it’s still being used as a missionary center, hotel, museum, and Bible school in Singapore. They are all still with us. In the end, the main thing is money. National identity sure helps, but it’s money.
Avery Boyer
July 25, 2012 at 9:59 am
Very sad news. I was heartbroken when Saga Rose went to the breakers but I always consoled with the knowledge that Saga Ruby carried on. Now she will be gone too. If she too is scrapped, I will be devastated. These two were among the prettiest survivors of the classic era.
Chris Knight
July 26, 2012 at 5:54 am
Going on Ruby tomorrow to Norway & Svalbard… then next year around the Mediterranean next year…. after that? Who knows. We’ll still be with Saga though but we’ll miss that lovely ship
Chris K
Kalle Id
July 26, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Hank: To be exact, to my understanding the ex-KUNGSHOLM is not “preserved” as such at the moment. And the ANCERVILLE does have a national link of sorts, as she was the Chinese liner/cruise ship MINGHUA for a decade before moved to a static role. Certainly preservation can be done without any kind of a national link, but -at least in my observation – the best way to get the money you need in order to preserve a ship is to play the “national heritage” card.
Colin Stewart
July 27, 2012 at 5:22 am
The image of Saga Rose sailing down Southampton water for the last time; with those classic lines and all lit up; will remain with us for a long time. Not a good year with the sad news of the SS Oceanic at the breakers and now the retirement of the Saga Ruby next year. Credit to Saga as they the kept Saga Rose anchored for months off Gibraltar trying to finder her a home!
Perhaps as the Saga Ruby is SOLAS 2010 compliant there might be a fighting chance for a new home!
Good luck to the Saga Ruby and let’s hope Classic International Cruises or Cruise & Maritime Voyages perhaps have enough business turnover to look at expansion of their fleets!
Lindel Salow
July 30, 2012 at 9:04 am
My first cruise was on this ship as the Caronia back in April 2000. A fourteen day voyage “Grand Gulf of Mexico”
that completely hooked me. Better yet that sailing was very light with only 330 passengers aboard, so
most of the time we had the complete run of the ship! Everything was first rate and wonderful. Our cabin was on
D deck #264 towards the aft end. A few cabins away was the small after deck that was often completely empty, and
became a “private” sunning area for our family. I recall there were several veteran “Vistafjord” passengers who had
already noticed changes being made by Carnival Corporation and were rather critical of those changes. But to me
it was a dream to be aboard this lovely ship. Early morning breakfast on the Lido watching the dolphins race along
side the ship, tea in the afternoon in the Garden Lounge….oh those scones. Catching the sun up on the
Sports Deck then moving down to the Promenade Deck to nab a deck chair in the shade, attempting to read but
ultimately falling asleep with the motion of the ship, the gentle breeze and a setting sun, magical.
Dinners in the Franconia Dining Room, with the best fruit cream soups that I have ever had, I still dream about them!
A special dinner one night in the Tivoli Restaurant with food that was so good you could cry and a wonderful waitstaff
who anticipated our every need. Then of course, the ship itself, unique and classic looking…which was in part the reason
we chose to sail in the first place. She looked like a ship.
My last visit to her was in January 2004 as we were sailing on the Maiden Voyage of the Queen Mary 2 and had gone
over early to the U.K. to spend several days with our friends Don and Jack, Mick and Deanne (who we had met on the Caronia in 2000).
With all the festivities going on with the QM2, the Caronia seemed forgotten but was nearby and so at my begging request
our friend Jackie, who worked for Cunard, was able to pull a few strings and got us aboard Caronia so that I could see this
beloved ship again and show her to my spouse. We had free run of the ship (so of course I went everywhere…I’m sure they thought
I was a complete nut) and then met the Captain, Staff Captain, Head
of Security and a few others including the head of Security for QM2 in the White Star Bar for drinks, talk and delicious snacks
all prepared at the Captains request. It was one of those truly special moments on a special ship. Sorry to blather on so, there are
just a number of wonderful memories. I will be very sad when she leaves. Maybe there is the possibility of one final
voyage before she is retired…oh how I’d love that.
Ralph Teutsch
August 4, 2012 at 9:22 am
When I sailed on her (on Cunard/NAC) I had to wedge a poyethelene
wastebasket in the upper berth (now devoid of mattress to damp the vibrations). But then 13 days of bliss (officers presiding at tables every night, cheese trays with a dozen choices(different ones every day), even a gorgeous Danish stewardess to make up the room…
Twenty ships later, haven’t come across her equal( and won’t, either).
But, as has been noted, the Sagafjord was more elegant.
AJ
August 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
Just as one old lady announces her retirement…another one that was within a gnats breath of the breakers beach has started service once more….Flamenco is back in full service as Ocean Dream, running Thailand-Cambodia cruises….
I saw her off Port Klang in 2010 and she looked at death’s door, so to have her back in action will hopefully leave the door open for others to be saved too.
Dan
August 10, 2012 at 10:25 am
@AJ: I can only hope that it’s true. Although I would love nothing more than to see the SS Oceanic among them, provided that she has not been scrapped yet.
Hank
August 10, 2012 at 10:36 am
Kalle: When I said KUNGSHOLM was preserved I didn’t mean that it was restored to its original condition. What I was talking about was the ship being used as a floating hotel in Oman. The public rooms were being renovated in order to be as close to original as possible. But are they using it as a relic to the past? No…They also didn’t put a replica of the second funnel to restore the ships looks like they were talking about in Sweden. But she is still with us. According to the latest news, a hotel in Oman. I’m pretty sure it’s still there and in business, but if I’m wrong, anyone feel free to say so, But I’m pretty sure it is still a hotel in Oman. And ANCERVILLE/MINGHUA does have national ties to both China and France. And I was thinking of the ties to France when I made the comment, so I apologize for that error and hope it will be forgiven. I agree that historical signifigance does help a lot. I wasn’t trying to suggest otherwise in my comment. I was just thinking of a few exceptions to the rule. Minus ANCERVILLE and its ties to China. I apologize for taking so much time to respond. I didn’t see it. I like your blog by the way.
AJ
August 16, 2012 at 7:52 am
@ Ken…Mona Lisa (ex Kungsholm) is now called Veronica and she is a beautiful floating hotel in Oman. By all accounts she has been renovated to a very high standard and is enjoying a new life.
@ Dan…Ocean Dream (ex Flamenco) commenced her cruises last weekend, and seems to be running fine…at least, there has been nothing to the contrary as yet.
Both oldies have been given another chance of life…makes such a refreshing change to see it happen after so many of our “older ladies” have now gone to the torches.
Hank
August 16, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I’ve been to the website for KUNSHOLM/VERONICA. She is truly stunning!
Kenneth Eden
August 17, 2012 at 4:22 am
Hank
She IS stunning. Such a calming hull livery too, she blends nicely with the desert sand………
This just goes to show what can be done to a ship, old, older or relic, with the right amount of money and some care and with taste, voila, a beauty emerges. For all intents and purposes she could sail today and be as regal as she needs to be.
Oh, I wish her the best of luck. web site” http://www.veronicaduqm.co
URL may not work, manual typing of the site may be needed.
Perhaps this part of the world may rescue the vintage ships for hotel use. Weather is perfect to preserve the ships.
Hank
August 23, 2012 at 10:24 am
Kenneth,
Yes. Oman is a great place for her.
bruce
August 27, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Maybe she will be sold for further trading. The former RVL ships (built around the same time as Saga Ruby) have all had life- extending refits and could sail for another 10+ years so maybe there is hope for the former Vistafjord.