On 11 October 2020 Saga Cruises newest ship Spirit of Adventure arrived at Tilbury in Essex. The ship, which was due to launch this year, has joined her sistership Spirit of Discovery in Tilbury where both are laid up due to the pandemic.

Along with Spirit of Discovery, the brand new ship will spend the winter in Tilbury, before welcoming her first passengers on board in 2021.

Saga Cruises received Spirit of Adventure from shipbuilder Meyer Werft on 29 September 2020, when she became the latest addition to the Saga Cruises fleet of boutique cruise ships. Spirit of Adventure will accommodate 999 passengers in 554 all-balcony cabins and has a tonnage of 58,250gt.

Managing director of Saga Cruises, Nigel Blanks, said: “We are absolutely thrilled Spirit of Adventure has arrived in the UK to join her sister, Spirit of Discovery, in Tilbury. Over the past two years, we have focused on creating a boutique cruising experience for our guests that is not available elsewhere on the market.

“With Spirit of Adventure joining our fleet, we now have more choice for our guests with two unique ships that will help make unforgettable memories for those who join us onboard. We cannot wait for her to welcome her first guests next year to see everything she has to offer.

“The health and wellbeing of guests and crew is Saga’s number one priority and over the past few months, the team has worked to put in place detailed new procedures for a return to cruising in a Covid world.

“These include reduced capacity, pre-departure testing both at home and before boarding, increased medical staff and facilities and enhancements to our state-of-the-art air conditioning, which already provides 100 per cent fresh air throughout our ships.”

Spirit of Adventure is on track to sail her maiden voyage on 5 February 2021, sailing to the Canary Islands.

Photos and report by Trevor Boston