All aboard for a magical mystery cruise! SAGA ROSE is off in secrecy, not even her owners know where she is going! ...
Cruise ship Saga Rose departed Southampton yesterday for a 14-night adventure.
But this particular voyage comes with an intriguing twist: the 550 passengers aboard had no prior knowledge of their destinations.
Only Captain Alistair McLundie, the ship's watchkeepers and the chief purser know the cruise's itinerary. In fact, the only time guests will be privy to any information is just before they arrive at each port.
However, guests are assured that the ship will visit at least eight destinations during the cruise, all outside the UK mainland.
Furthermore, at least four of these ports will be completely new to Saga Rose to ensure that regular passengers enjoy something different.
To add to the intrigue, half-day mystery tours have been included at each port and there will be an ongoing mystery to solve during the cruise.
The response to this year's cruise has been so good that another mystery adventure has already been organised for next year on Saga Ruby, departing from Southampton on March 28, 2008.
Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive of Saga Group, said: "This cruise promises to be a unique voyage of excitement and anticipation which will really capture a true sense of exploration.
"Although I am not privy to the itinerary, Captain McLundie has assured me that the cruise includes a superb range of intriguing destinations to keep even the best detectives guessing."
The classic ship was built in 1965 by Soc. des Forges de la Méditerranée as the SAGAFJORD for Norwegian America Line and went to Cunard in 1983. She was renamed GRIPSHOLM and went on charter to Transocean Tours in 1996 before being sold to Saga the following year and adopting her current name.
