Saga Cruises - Spirit of Discovery

Disabled Facilities

We will provide you with any assistance that you need if you have a disability, please let our sales team know at the time of booking. We recommend that you book emergency assistance if you have a disability.

Adapted cabins and assistance available onboard

Adapted cabins are available on each of our ships.

• Spirit of Discovery – Cabin numbers A021, A523, A028, A531 (A deck) S009, S509 (Sun Deck), C036, C537 (C Deck), D025, D526 (D Deck)
• Spirit of Adventure – Cabin numbers A021, A523, A028, A531 (A deck) S009, S509 (Sun Deck), C036, C537 (C Deck), D025, D526 (D Deck)

If you require the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter for permanent or regular use on board you will need to be booked into a wheelchair-accessible cabin.

Please contact one of our Cruise Advisors on 0800 505 030 to enquire about the availability of an adapted cabin and wheelchair space.

If you will require a wheelchair on board, please be aware of the following lift dimensions:

• Spirit of Discovery – 4 guest lifts 176 cm(l) x 156 cm (w) with 89cm door
• Spirit of Adventure– 4 guest lifts 176 cm(l) x 156 cm (w) with 89cm door

If you require a wheelchair for use on shore excursions only and not on board the ship, the ship will store it for you. As storage is limited please make us aware if you will be bringing a wheelchair on board for use off the ship.

If you have reduced mobility but do not require an adapted cabin, there are a number of different cabin grades are available with different features, please speak with our cruise advisors about the cabin amenities when you call to book.

Hearing and visual impairment

Although not a requirement, it is recommended that a blind or visually impaired passenger travels with a fare paying companion. This recommendation is made purely on the basis of personal safety. In the unlikely event of an emergency on board, a travelling companion will greatly aid your timely relocation to your allocated muster station.

Assistance that can be provided includes:

Upon arrival at the terminal

• Someone to meet you at the terminal.
• Guidance to and through check-in and to your cabin.
• Assistance with baggage through check-in and to your cabin.

During the cruise

• Assistance in making your way to toilet facilities in public spaces.
• Assistance to your seat in any dining facility.
• If accompanied by a companion, a cabin adjacent to them, if available at the time of booking.
• Orientation tours on request.
• Advice on essential information regarding the planned route.

For disembarkation

• Retrieval of baggage and assistance with its transfer to the terminal.
• Assistance from your cabin to disembarkation and through customs and immigration.
• Assistance from baggage collection to the point of exit.

The vessel can provide all of its daily publications (e.g. cinema guide, daily paper) in large print upon request; Braille playing cards are also available upon request.

In order to assist deaf or hard of hearing guests with the passenger embarkation safety drill, a subtitled safety video is available on the cabin's television. This video runs on a loop and is available 24/7. Those who are unable to hear the Captain's safety announcement on embarkation day should take the time to watch this video at the earliest opportunity. Any member of the ship’s crew will be happy to answer any questions you may have resulting from watching the video.

A number of visual alarm units are available on request. When fitted into the cabin these will flash indicator lights when loud alarms sound. Also they provide a fixture that will vibrate a pillow to alert you whilst you are sleeping.

Most entertainment rooms on each vessel have hearing loop systems installed. This will improve sound volume and clarity with hearing aids switched to the 'T' position.

If you need to notify us of any special requirements, please do so at the time of booking. If you've already booked please make sure you notify us no later than 48 hours before departure by calling our Customer Care team free on 0800 373 034.

Excursions

Wherever possible, we arrange a choice of excursions to match a variety of tastes and walking abilities.

We will notify you when excursions for your cruise are on sale and provide information for each that can be booked. To help you choose the excursions most suitable for you, we have graded each according to the walking involved, as detailed below:

• Panoramic Tour – A slower paced excursion with the majority of sightseeing taking place from your vehicle. There may be a short walk at the port to join your vehicle and any other walking will be at your own discretion, for example at photo stops.
• Easy Activity – Up to approximately 500 yards on mainly flat terrain, with the possibility of some steps.
• Moderate Activity – Between 500 yards and one mile over mixed terrain, often with steps.
• Strenuous Activity – Considerable walking for distances over a mile, usually over uneven terrain with many steps.

In some ports tour coaches may not be able to accommodate wheelchair users, or carry mobility scooters. Please inform us if you require the use of a wheelchair or scooter while on tour so that we can check if there is suitable transport available in that port. We will also be happy to arrange private transport if you’d like to explore independently instead.

If you are in any doubt over the suitability of any excursions, please contact our Customer Care team on 0800 373 034 or speak to the Travel and Tours team on board.

Age Restrictions

We’ve been creating holidays and cruises exclusively for over 50s for more than 60 years, with incredible destinations, memorable experiences and fantastic value at the heart of what we do.

From relaxing hotel stays and scenic river cruises, to cultural escorted tours and memorable ocean cruises, our varied collection is a perfect choice for anyone over 50 (a travelling companion can be over 40).

Dress Code

Evening dress code applies from 6pm and must be followed by all guests in the ship’s public areas for the evening. The dress code is recommended for the ambiance and comfort of all guests. Details will be shown in your Daily Programme.

Evening-casual

For dinner, evening-casual is the way to go – just like at any other restaurant.

For ladies:

• Smart dress
• A blouse or elegant top with trousers or skirt

For gentlemen:

• Smart, open-neck shirt and trousers
• A jacket is optional

Please, no polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts or denim.

Formal nights

Getting smartly dressed up for the occasional formal night has long been part of the fun of cruising.

As a guide, there'll be:

• One formal night for cruises from four to seven nights.
• Two formal nights for cruises of eight to 11 nights.
• Three formal nights for cruises of 12 to 21 nights.

For ladies:

• Evening gown
• Cocktail dress
• Dress suit
• Elegant separates

For gentlemen:

• Smart suit with tie
• Dinner jacket including bow tie

If you'd prefer not to take part in formal nights, you can dine in The Grill or take advantage of our complimentary room service. You're also welcome to enjoy drinks in any of the bars – however you'll need to adhere to the standard evening-casual dress code.

Please note: The Playhouse observes the dress code of formal nights. If you're attending a performance on a formal night, formal dress will be required for admission.

All Inclusive

Every Saga cruise includes:

• A chauffeur service to the port up to 250 miles each way† or included car parking, domestic flights (subject to availability), coach or rail travel
• Optional travel insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, and additional cancellation rights, unless you have your own insurance in which case a reduction is available. Cover is subject to a few medical questions.
• Included sightseeing excursions on cruises from April-December 2021
• A balcony cabin aboard Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure
• All meals, snacks and daily afternoon tea
• Speciality dining
• All-inclusive drinks
• All on-board 'tips' and bar service charges
• A full programme of live music, entertainment and talks
• Gym, sauna and exercise classes
• 24-hour room service
• Wi-Fi
• Welcome sailaway party with complimentary drinks
• Unlimited tea, coffee and fruit juices in selected venues
• Porterage of luggage at the port
• Shuttle bus at most ports

Always on Hand

Whatever you need, there will always be someone on hand to help throughout your cruise. And don’t be surprised if our friendly crew remember you from your last cruises with us – it’s just another part of the famous Saga service. And tipping? Never. Everything is taken care of before you even step on the ship. It leaves you free to concentrate on the most important thing of all – enjoying yourself

Smoking Policy

Smoking and vaping is only permitted in the designated smoking area. On Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure this is the port side aft on Deck 11.

Smoking is strictly forbidden on guest balconies or anywhere else on the ships.

Wi-Fi

All our ships have free Wi-Fi. Although it can sometimes be a bit patchy because of the nature of ocean cruising.

Special Diets

Fine dining is an integral part of the cruising experience and we can cater for most dietary needs as long as you let us know in advance. You can make us aware of your requirements at the time of booking or if you have already booked, please contact us.

Assistance Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs on board our ships and this section outlines the procedures for arranging booking, embarkation, disembarkation and onboard service for guests with an assistance dog. Please read the information carefully.

If you need to take an assistance dog on board, please let us know at the time of booking. If you've already booked please make sure you notify us no later than 48 hours before departure by calling our Customer Care team free on 0800 373 034.

The limitations on assistance dogs carried on each vessel at any time are:

• Registered assistance dogs only.
• Maximum of 1 assistance dog per passenger.
• Maximum of 2 assistance dogs per vessel.

It's therefore essential that you let us know at the time of booking if you require an assistance dog so we can ensure there is the availability and make the necessary arrangements.

The limitations on cruises that can be booked if you are travelling with an assistance dog are:

• All ports of call must be within EU Pet Passport Scheme Qualifying Countries and Territories.
• There must be a port of call available for tapeworm treatment for the assistance dog 1-5 days before the disembarkation in the UK.

You will need to ensure that the assistance dog complies with the Pet Passport Scheme.

Please be aware that some ports of call may not allow the assistance dog to go ashore.

Assistance staff in the cruise terminal can be found along the boarding route, and will escort you and your assistance dog from the terminal check-in to the ship. An appointed vet arranged by us will be present when you embark so that they can check the pet’s passport and scan the microchip using either their own scanner or the scanner provided by you.

Whilst on board, it is your responsibility to ensure that:

• The assistance dog’s general welfare shall be looked after.
• The assistance dog shall be fed with pet food supplied by yourself.
• The assistance dog shall not disturb fellow passengers.

The assistance dog must have a tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before returning to the UK. The ship's Chief Purser shall locate a port of call available for a treatment, arrange transport for you, and maintain a copy of the treatment document.

During disembarkation, the appointed veterinarian shall check the assistance dog’s passport and scan the microchip using either their own scanner or the scanner provided by you.

Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other mobility aids

To ensure that the crew can cope in an emergency situation, the number of passengers who require a wheelchair or mobility scooter to be booked on any cruise is restricted for safety reasons. It's therefore essential that you ask at the time of booking if there will be space for you to bring your wheelchair, mobility scooter or other equipment on board. Please contact a member of our Sales Team on 0800 096 0079 to enquire about availability. If you've already booked, please call our After-sales Team on 0800 504 505 instead.

Wheelchairs are not available for loan on board or for use during excursions. Anybody that requires the use of a wheelchair must provide their own.

Please note that if you arrive at check-in with a wheelchair or mobility scooter and have failed to declare that you are bringing this with you, and no wheelchair spaces are available, then you will be denied boarding on the grounds of safety.

All passengers that require the use of wheelchairs or mobility scooters for permanent and regular use on board will only be booked into a wheelchair accessible cabin.

Things to note if bringing a wheelchair or mobility scooter onboard

• Wheelchairs or mobility scooters must be stored within your cabin when not in use and must never be stowed in corridors as they are considered an emergency escape route.
• Crew members are not able to carry passengers up or down the gangways; this is a risk to both crew and passengers.
• In a berth port it may be concluded, on occasion that the gangway presents too much of a risk to put wheelchairs or mobility scooters ashore. On these occasions you may need to remain on board.
• You must be able to manoeuvre yourself or have a travelling companion who can assist you.
• In some ports tour coaches may not be able to accommodate wheelchair users, or carry mobility scooters.
• Wheelchairs are available in Southampton and Dover, but these are for embarkation and disembarkation only.

Mobility equipment

The following equipment is available on board. There is only a limited number of each item so if you require the use of any mobility equipment, please let us know at the time of booking or at the earliest opportunity to enable us to ensure that the necessary equipment is available.

Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure

• Bath step
• Bath board
• Shower stool
• Raised toilet seat
• Toilet frame
• Toilet frame and seat range
• Commode with wheels
• Bed rail
• Bed raiser
• Memory pillow

If you need to bring any other mobility equipment on board, please make sure you let us know. This equipment must be stored within your cabin when not in use and must never be stowed in corridors as they are considered to be an emergency escape route.