One of the leading tour operators in central and eastern Europe, ANEX Tours Turkey is entering into cruise shipping business via acquiring the Saga Sapphire ship.
According to Neset Kockar, Chairman of ANEX Tours, with changing travel and vacation trends, travellers had to adapt their product offering accordingly and by acquiring Saga Sapphire, they would be able to create "a unique eastern Mediterranean cruise experience."
MrKockar stated that the vessel would be delivered to ANEX Tours in mid-2020. The maiden voyage of Saga Sapphire (to be renamed to "Blue Sapphire") will be from homeport Antalya Turkey.
The 37,000 GT Saga Sapphire has passenger capacity ~800 and 382 cabins. The ship has 12 decks, restaurants, outdoor swimming pools, wellness (spa-gym) complex, retail shopping arcade and other popular facilities.