Saga’s New Ships To Fly Red Ensign​

Red Ensign Registration Confirmed by British Cruise Operator

Saga Cruises have confirmed that their new ship, Spirit of Discovery, will sail proudly flying the Red Ensign. When Saga takes delivery of the ship on 20 June, she will be registered in the UK and proudly display London as her port of registry on her stern, unlike many of her contemporaries who are registered in foreign lands such as Panama,  Italy, and the Netherlands.l

What is the Red Ensign?

The ‘Red Ensign’, or ‘Red Duster’ is the civil ensign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Any merchant vessel registered in the UK, a Crown Dependency or UK Overseas Territory, is a ‘British Ship’, and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag. The Ensign, which was established as a naval flag of royal standard in 1707, is a historic emblem of British seafaring excellence. The Ensign is issued by the UK Ship Register (UKSR) which is a part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Spirit of Discovery

Saga’s first purpose-built cruise ship Spirit of Discovery is the first of two new passenger ships being constructed for the brand at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenberg, Germany. She was floated out on Sunday 12 May, 2019.

Spirit of Discovery will be named in Dover on July 5, 2019 while the second ship, Spirit of Adventure, is planned to enter service in 2020. Both ships will host 999 guests and 530 crew members. Spirit of Discovery will be a 58,250 gross tons vessel measuring 774.3ft in length and a maximum beam of 102.4ft. They will supplement Saga’s existing fleet of ocean and river cruise ships.

Nigel Blanks, COO, Saga Cruises said: “This is a major milestone for Saga Cruises and for the future of the Company. Spirit of Discovery has been meticulously designed for our customers and to epitomise Saga’s unique British boutique cruising concept. We’d like to thank everyone at Meyer Werft, and look forward to the keel laying of Spirit of Adventure, on 3 June, as we start the construction of our next ship for the British market.”With Saga’s Group headquarters based in Kent, it was a natural choice to name their first brand new cruise ship in Dover, with the iconic White Cliffs as a backdrop. Spirit of Discovery will be the first cruise ship to be named at the port of Dover for over a decade, following the £250m redevelopment of Dover Western Docks. Arriving in Dover on 28 June, her Naming Ceremony will take place on 5 July, with Spirit of Discovery’s inaugural cruise, A British First, commencing on 10 July.

Quintessentially British

To further “fly the flag”, the interior design of Spirit of Discovery showcases British style and excellence, with all the architectural and interior design created by UK based agency SMC.  Over 400 pieces of original British art will be amongst more than 1,000 total artworks, many of which have been created by artists working in Britain today. A host of independent British suppliers, including Hush Heath wine producers of Kent, will serve their produce to guests onboard the ship.

Discover More

If you wish to find out more about cruises available on Saga’s Spirit of Discovery click here or to book phone 0808 278 5773.

Source: Saga UK/Embolden