Saga Cruises delayed the launch of its new ship - Spirit of Adventure, because of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
Despite plans to launch the newbuild in November, Saga has now made the decision to push it back until February 2021. The decision was made because of the rise in Coronavirus cases and the advice of the UK Government against ship cruise travel.
Along with Spirit of Adventure, the fleetmate MS Spirit of Discovery was also due to resume operations in November 2020 but all its sailings have been cancelled through and including March 7, 2021.
Saga Cruises managing director Nigel Banks said that, sadly, most countries around the world were not accepting cruise ships and they did not see that changing for the remainder of the year.
“I am writing to inform you that we are postponing the inaugural cruise of our new ship, Spirit of Adventure until 5th February, 2021 and extending the suspension of our cruising operations up to and including 4th February, 2021 for Spirit of Adventure and 7th March, 2021 for Spirit of Discovery.
Spirit of Adventure’s inaugural cruise will sail to Norway from Southampton England, crossing the Arctic Circle and allowing guests the chance to see the Northern Lights.
The Spirit of Discovery ship will return in March 2021 with a springtime voyage around the coast of Croatia, sailing from Southampton UK, and also visiting Spain and Italy.