Blue Sapphire

The 1981-built Saga Sapphire cruise ship (now Blue Sapphire) was one of Saga Cruises UK's two old vessels - together with the fleetmate Saga Pearl 2. Sapphire was transferred to Saga Holidays/Saga Travel (part of SAGA Group UK) in 2011 and inaugurated in March 2012.

Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl 2 were both withdrawn from service (left the fleet) after SAGA Group's two newbuilds - Spirit of Discovery (2019) and Spirit of Adventure (2020) - were delivered. In August 2019 was announced that Saga Sapphire will be acquired by ANEX Tours (Turkey's largest travel agency/tour operator), starting operations for ANEX Tours in mid-2020. The 39-year-old liner was sold to/acquired by ANEX Tours on June 18, 2020.

The ship (renamed "Blue Sapphire") started operations for ANEX Tours in 2021, with an inaugural cruise program based on roundtrips from homeport Antalya Turkey and Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea itinerarires.

(ANEX Tours/shipowner) In November 2019, after acquiring Thomas Cook Group's subsidiaries in Germany (Oger Tours, Bucher Reisen, Neckermann) and Russia (Intourist / 1929-founded USSR-Russia travel brand privatized in the 1990s by Vladimir Yevtushenkov), ANEX Tours became the world's second-largest tour operator - after TUI Group. The company's Chairman (Neset Kockar) commented that expects the annual passenger volume to increase to 8 million and the turnover to reach ~EUR 10 billion (~USD 11B).

Thomas Cook Group (2007-founded / 2019-defunct) was a British travel group formed by the merger of Thomas Cook AG (British-German, 2001-founded) and MyTravel Group plc (British, 1972-founded). Neset Kockar (ANEX Tours) was the second-largest shareholder in Thomas Cook Group - after Fosun International (China).

In late-February ANEX Turkey announced its new brand "Selectum Blu Cruises", with CEO Necdet Ucarlar. ANEX Tours plans to expand Selectum Blu Cruises' fleet to 3 ships (second-hand vessels), with itineraries in Europe, Asia and Caribbean, and homeporting in Turkey, China (or Vietnam) and the Dominican Republic. ANEX Tours sell holidays (including ship cruises) since 1996.

Saga Sapphire's last drydock refurb (by SAG UK) was in 2015. Following the acquisition, ANEX Tours Turkey planned a drydock refurbishment for Blue Sapphire to be conducted in 2020-Q3. As of December 1, 2020, the ship was docked at Port Marmaris Turkey.

For SAGA UK, the vessel (IMO number 7822457) was Malta-flagged (MMSI 256208000) and registered in Valletta. Following the ANEX acquisition, Blue Sapphire is now Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000978) and registered in Nassau.

"Selectum Blu Cruises" is operated via the Malta-based subsidiary "AnexSea Cruises Ltd" (February 2020-incorporated, company number C94928, headquartered in Sliema, Malta) and plans to acquire/purchase a second vessel.

History - construction and ownership

Saga Cruises (Saga Shipping) is a UK-based company, division of Saga Group. By purchasing Saga Rose, Saga Group started its passenger shipping operations. The boat operated as flagship until 2005 when was added Saga Ruby (bought from Cunard Line). For the 2003 summer Saga Cruises chartered mv Minerva (built 1989), which was renamed to Saga Pearl. Saga Rose was retired after a final 37-night Mediterranean voyage. Subsequently, the ship was scrapped in China. Saga Ruby departed for Gibraltar out of Southampton for the last time on Jan. 10 and was handed over to the new shipowner on January 13, 2014.

Saga Sapphire was originally built for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises as ms Europa (link to the HP ship). "MS Europa" was the 5th ship for Hapag-Lloyd with that name. Through the years, the vessel was renamed several times - SuperStar Europe (1999-2000, owner Star Cruises Asia), Superstar Aries (2000-2004, owner Star Cruises Asia), ms Holiday Dream (2004-2008, owner Club Vacaciones), Bleu de France (2008-2011, owner Pulllmantur-CDF). In November 2010, the ship was bought by Saga UK but remained on charter by CDF-France (Pullmantur subsidiary) for the next year. After an extensive refit in 2012, the ship received the name "MS Saga Sapphire".

The 752-passenger ship Saga Sapphire was introduced (as the company's flagship) in March 2012. Sapphire was the largest vessel operated by Saga Group (a UK-based corporation that specializes in financial services and also cruise shipping for 50+ aged travelers).

In November 2011, Saga Holidays took ownership of Pullmantur CDF’s Bleu de France, immediately beginning a multimillion drydock refurbishment of the 706-passenger vessel. The vessel changed hands a few times since its debut in 1981 as Hapag-Lloyd's Europa. Saga Cruises successfully created a stylish but contemporary ship with lovely British touches. A part of the refurb was the stunning 7-m installation of 1395 stainless steel fish (Atrium Lobby's centerpiece). To Saga Sapphire's staterooms (Deck 8) were added 46 step-out balconies - increasing the balcony cabins to 65. Amenities include electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), DVD player, smart HDTV, direct-dial phone (intercom), hairdryer, mini-fridge, individually controlled air-conditioning. Public spaces were redesigned and now support using mobile devices via Wi-Fi connectivity (Saga UK's first such amenity).

Decks and Cabins

Saga Sapphire/Blue Sapphire staterooms (382 total, in 25 categories) and include 6 Royal Suites, 1 Owner Suite, 3 Grand Suites, Standard Outside (1 Suite, 2 Singles, 21 Doubles /all with obstructed views), Standard Inside Single, 6 wheelchair-accessible cabins. Of all staterooms, 179 are with baths (of which 20 have showers) and 58 are studios (single-occupancy cabins, including 2 with balconies). The total 65 Balcony cabins are with relatively narrow step-out verandas (still but big enough for sitting).

The boat has 12 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins. The cruise ship is of an older design and has no identical (production-line fabricated/same-sized) cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dining venues on Saga Sapphire are fare-included. Saga Sapphire’s main Pole to Pole restaurant is situated on Deck 7, accommodating a maximum of 620 people. Pole to Pole is split into separate themed areas on seven continents, with intimate impression. The windows are down each of the room’s sides and geographical variation is provided by enlarged photographs. Dinner is open-seating. It is served between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The passengers choose to dine as couples or join a table of four or six. Traditionalists prefer eating at the same table, at the same time and with the same companions each day. They can be accommodated by speaking to the maitre d’ on request on cruise’s first day and are expected to use the same table throughout the cruise.

Each morning, a continental buffet is being set out in the restaurant, with waiter service for tea and coffee, fresh toast or cooked items. Waiter-service lunch is provided also in Pole to Pole. The Grill is Saga Sapphire’s alternative dining area on Deck 9. Full waiter service is also available throughout the day, with a self-service salad section during lunch. At lunchtime, if weather permitting, a barbecue grill is being set up on the Verandah. The Grill stays open 30 minutes after Pole to Pole at breakfast. Continental buffet and daily cooked specialities are served at breakfast. Saga Cruises has decided to increase the number of self-serve buffet offerings. Make a reservation for speciality restaurant East to West at no extra charge. The restaurant offers an Asian fusion menu of Thai, Chinese, Sri Lankan and Indian. Lunchtime burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, are served poolside at the Beach Club, which also offers unlimited soft ice cream.

Follows the complete list of Saga Sapphire restaurants and food bars.

• Pole to Pole Restaurant (Main Dining Room)
• East to West Restaurant (Asian cuisine)
• The Grill (alternative dining area)
• The Verandah.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Drawing Room up on Deck 11 provides computers for travellers’ access to the Internet. Wi-Fi is also available. The Academy on Deck 4 is used as an addition to Brittania Lounge for onboard lectures. There and in the library are many books to borrow, as well as DVDs and iPads. The two shops on Deck 8 supply formal wear, resort clothes, confectionery, souvenirs, travel necessities, pharmaceuticals.

Daytime lectures and evening shows are held in Britannia Lounge which is on Deck 8. It serves also as the meeting point for the departures to shore excursions, afternoon teas, and cocktail parties. Britannia Lounge is furnished with soft chairs and sofas - it is the boat's main entertainment venue with an array of musicians and cabarets in the evening, hosting lectures and dancing lessons throughout the day. To the opposite is situated the Card Room, decorated in gold leaf, open to card-game enthusiasts. The Drawing Room up on Deck 11, with expansive observation windows and panoramic views, is furnished with furniture eclectic collection and knick-knacks - an entertainment venue that is alternative with vessel’s second dance floor. The Drawing Room is also a perfect place for a daytime retreat. Cooper's Bar on Deck 8 is a popular pre-dinner bar, themed around the comedian Tommy Cooper. The flat-screen TV is used for half-hour comedy shows.

The Aviators Bar is one deck down, adjacent to Reception Desk. Drinks are available also from the Beach Club on Deck 11, by the pool. The Clubhouse is adjoining the pool area - an indoor room with games like table football and tennis. A small troupe of singers and dancers are available onboard the Saga Sapphire. They perform productions of show tunes that are popular. The afternoon tea is accompanied by a classical trio or string quartet, playing for pre-dinner dancing. Comedians, guest singers, virtuoso instrumentalists take part in cabaret performances, although Saga Sapphire is not a late-night clubbing vessel.

Sapphire’s outdoor cinema “View from the Top” is situated above the Beach Club (Saga's first). The mini-golf course St Andrews is on Deck 12, in front of the ship. Saga's shore excursions are usually led by local guides and they prove to be popular because of the reasonable price.

The Saga Sapphire beauty and spa salon is situated deep down on Deck 2. Alongside the hair salon and the treatment rooms are the steam room and the sauna. A rudimentary gym also awaits for you. There are a whirlpool bath and a heated indoor pool. The main pool is situated on Deck 11 and it is surrounded by sun loungers and deckchairs. Saga Sapphire View from the Top is an outdoor cinema above the Beach Club - the first of its kind for Saga UK. Also on Deck 11 is a small golf course, called St Andrews.

Saga Cruises passengers are not comfortable with the concept “resort casual”. Saga Sapphire is not dedicated to 21st-century fashion. Most of the men wear ties and jackets even on casual evenings; suits are for informal nights. Also frequently used are the cravats and blazers, particularly among Britannia Club members. Women usually wear blouse-and-skirt combinations, dresses, light, and airy or elegant cocktail outfits. The seven-night cruises have two formal nights; the 2-weeks voyages have three.

Tips for cabin stewards and waiters are included in fares. There are no gratuities added automatically to bar bills or spa treatments. The pound sterling is the currency on board.

Follows the complete list of Saga Sapphire lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• The Academy (hosts lectures)
• Aviator's Bar; Cooper's Bar
• Photo Gallery & Shop
• View from the Top
• Britannia Lounge; The Drawing Room; Library; Card Room
• The Beach Club; The Club House
• Aqua Spa; Treatment Rooms; Hair&Beauty Salon; Sauna; Steam Room; Indoor Pool; Outdoor Pool; 2 Hot Tubs; Gym
• Sun Deck with outdoor games (shuffleboard, deck quoits)
• St Andrews (mini-golf course).

Itineraries

Selectum Blue Sapphire itinerary program was planned to start with a Maiden Voyage in May 2021. However, the Inaugural Cruise was eventually rescheduled for August 28th. The 7-night itinerary (Aug 28 - Sept 4/Antalya roundtrip) visited Alexandria (Egypt), Kusadasi-Ephesus and Marmaris.

In 2021-2022, the ship was homeported in Antalya Turkey for roundtrips visiting ports and islands in the Eastern Mediterranean. In September-November 2021, ANEX Tours scheduled for Blue Sapphire homeporting in Marmaris Turkey with roundtrips to Greek islands and Turkish ports.

For 2021-2022 winter season, the boat was deployed in the Persian Gulf, with homeporting in Dubai UAE.

Selectum Blu Cruises 2023 program (May-October) had scheduled roundtrips from homeport Bodrum Turkey. The 3-4-night/4-5-day Eastern Mediterranean itineraries visited Greek island ports - Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Kos. Some voyages visit Piraeus-Athens and Heraklion (Crete Island). The season started on May 2nd.

Selectum Blu Cruises 2024 program (July-October) is based on homeporting in Cesme and 3-4-night Greek Isles itineraries visiting the islands Rhodes, Kos, Leros, Samos. The program also had scheduled music-themed cruises with live performances/concerts onboard by Turkish bands and singers (Umit Sayin, Nihan Akin, Reyhan Karaca). Wellness-themed voyages in the summer featured scheduled onboard activities like group yoga lessons, wellness workshops, sound therapy.

ANEX Selectum Blu Cruises brand targets customers mainly from Eastern Europe and Russia-Ukraine-Kazakhstan. Turkish passengers are estimated to be 15-20% of the source market. All onboard announcements are made in several languages.

Note: Saga Sapphire itinerary program was based on roundtrips from the UK ports Dover and Southampton to the British Isles, Norway Fjords, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Canada/New England, and the Caribbean with round-trip Transatlantic crossings.