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Choose Saga for a luxury Rhine river... - River Rhine

• Europe    
• Germany    
• North Rhine-Westphalia    
• Dusseldorf    
• Dusseldorf - Things to Do    
• River Rhine

Choose Saga for a luxury Rhine river cruise

Superb Rhine cruise with Saga Holidays - starting at Basel and finishing in Amsterdam. Stunning views along the way, plus industrial views. Relaxing cruising along, best area was the Rhine Gorge.

This river is the nerve center of Dusseldorf. Habitqtion, fun and frolic are located on the perphery of this river. This river also provides the means for transportation of goods. On the banks of this river lots of historical monuments are located. River cruise is to be avoided

Remember when EMERALD WATERWAYS offer you inclusive flights check carefully that they do not include connections as you may be dumped in forein airports with no onward connections and no one to contact !!!! It is the responsibility of the travel company to ENSURE that YOU arrive at the ship if they are advertising to include transportation.

Our first river cruise - and this one was enough for us! We were on the AMA Stella and so many negatives with very few positive reviews for this Amsterdam to Basel cruise. It's very quiet and relaxing during the day so you can enjoy the views BUT the Captain ramps up the speed at night to make the mileage and our cabin walls and the bed rocked so hard and so noisy, we couldn't get a good nights sleep unless we were docked and that was one night only! You are very confined here with no options to find a quiet place as most passengers are camped out in the main room - always very noisy! Just not our thing. Food was just so-so, nothing special. Then the 'hotel manager' was sick with a bad cold near end of the cruise and she was still working with passengers !!! Hubby did get her cold and he was stuck in hotel room in Basel. Not fun. And don't get me started on the excursions - most required long bus rides to get to the sights...not pleasant rides and then passengers signing up for 'fast walker tours' and they were slower than molasses! All around, not a good trip, at all, and wasted $$$.

Don't ever book a River Cruise or any kind of Cruise with Uniworld. We booked a Rhine River Cruise with them, paid for the cruise in full and then they re-sold our cruise to someone else. How can a company do that?...well they did, so don't take a chance, book with another company. If they do this on a booking, how safe are you on their boats?

BEWARE OF THE VIKING. As 2 senior pensioners we saved for our 80th birthday to go on a river cruise. On 29th April 2022 we paid $4000 deposit for a Viking Cruise in September 2023, 17 months away. On 26th August 2022 not in the best of health we decided to cancel the trip so as not to inconvenience the other passengers or crew, this was 13 months in advance of our departure. As the booking was made with one phone call, we expected to have a minimal booking charge as Viking site which states cancellation fee would loss of $500 each, but they kept the whole $4000 deposit. The moral here is Don’t Book until you are 100% sure you can go and leave it to the last minute. The Insurance cover was only for the dates of the cruise but after several phone calls they returned 95% because there was no risk involved. On writing to the Aust.General. Manager and the Chairman of Viking they did not even have the decency of reply. T Davidson.

Grand Germany holidays

Germany is a country of atmospheric castles and opulent palaces, of soaring Alpine peaks and great rivers sweeping through the countryside.

Criss-crossed with waterways, Germany is perfect for exploring by ship. Book a river cruise of the Rhine and her tributaries, set sail along the Elbe River or traverse the Baltic Coast on an ocean cruise. Travel to Germany through Austria on the Danube River or head north and explore Hamburg - the city of a thousand bridges.

Germany’s appeal lasts through the seasons, too. Visit in spring for wildflower meadows and steins of beer in the sunshine, or summer for slices of Black Forest gateau made with the sweetest, ripest cherries. In autumn, it’s time for fall colours and grape harvests, while Christmas brings markets filled with twinkling lights, decorated trees and the spice-laden scent of gluhwein.

This eastern region is straight out of a storybook, with castles perched high on cliff tops, steam trains and the wide River Elbe winding through it. The capital city, Dresden, is resplendent with rococo and baroque architecture, while Leipzig has a strong musical heritage. For many years it was home to Bach, and today the Gewandhaus Orchestra and St Thomas Choir are both famous amongst classical music enthusiasts.

Castles, cathedrals and steep hilly vineyards characterise this romantic region of western Germany. A large part of the Rhine River Valley has now been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All along it, ancient towns and cities – including Cologne, Koblenz and Bonn – make great ports of call on river cruises.

Bordering Austria and the Czech Republic in southeast Germany, Bavaria offers up the most quintessential of German views. Chocolate-box visions of fairy-tale castles rise up in the foothills of the Alps, and the fertile plains around the Danube River valley are dotted with medieval villages. The capital, Munich, plays jovial host to Oktoberfest, while historic Nuremburg and culture-rich Würzburg lie to the north.

This vast swathe of mountainous forest marches down the border with France in Germany’s southwest. This is where Hansel and Gretel got lost in the woods, and you can certainly see how in this dense evergreen forest. The region is home to the upmarket spa town of Baden-Baden, bustling Freiburg and the cuckoo clock – not to mention one very important (and extremely moreish) cake.

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The Fairytale Tour - Best of Bavaria, Austria and the Italian Lakes

From £ 3,295 per person

The climate in Germany is similar to here in the UK, and just as unpredictable. Expect cold winters and warm summers, and rainfall throughout the year. Most of the rain occurs in the summer months, although the southwest of the country – where the wine is grown – has been known to occasionally feel Mediterranean in climate.

Germany is one hour ahead of the UK , two in British Summer Time.

It depends where you’re flying from and to, but flight times from the UK to Germany tend to vary between 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 hours.

German is the official language, with a number of differing regional dialects. English is widely spoken.

Currently, visas aren’t required for British Citizens. Entry requirements are subject to change, though – visit https://www.gov.uk/ or https://cibtvisas.co.uk/ for more advice on passports and visas.

With the widest choice of holidays and travel experiences than ever before, you can now personalise your trip so you are in complete control. All this is backed up by the high-standards and service you’d expect from Saga.

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Experienced travellers have been enjoying great value Saga holidays for over 70 years.

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24 April 2023, 11:25

Saga launches 2024 river itineraries with a new ship and new range of cruises

• Saga’s 2024 river cruise itineraries launch with up to 25 per cent off
• New ship, Spirit of the Douro , joins Saga’s river fleet from March 2024
• 37 per cent more guests pre-registered for 2024 cruises vs 2023
• New options include ‘taster’ itineraries, a respectful visit to Flanders Fields, a rare stop in beautiful Bingen, and a cruise along the unusual IJssell River
• Four new André Rieu cruises added to 2024 schedule due to demand
• E-bikes available on board for guests to explore destinations

Tuesday 24 April 2023: Saga River Cruises’ 2024 itineraries have now launched with up to 25 per cent off, offering early bookers the best deals. And with a 37 per cent increase in pre-registrations for the 2024 itineraries in comparison to 2023, travellers are clearly keen to get the cruise of their choice at the best possible price.

Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises, said: “There are a lot of exciting new experiences for our river guests in 2024, including Spirit of the Douro arriving in the fleet to operate one of our most popular regions, the introduction of ‘taster cruises’ that are just five nights, new itineraries including to Lake Ijssel and Flanders Field and more of what our customers love most, such as André Rieu events.

“Our ‘Spirit’ river cruises are now all-inclusive from dining and drinks to wifi and gratuities, and we offer a complimentary chauffeur service from home to the airport or St Pancras, and back again. Everything is taken care of so our guests can just relax and enjoy the rivers.”

Excitingly, Saga’s fleet will be joined from March 2024 by a new addition, Spirit of the Douro , which will operate on its namesake river throughout the full season.

The ship will offer 63 cabins, all of which face out onto the river. Like its sister ships, Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube , Spirit of the Douro will also boast a restaurant with panoramic views and a sun deck for the warm weather. It will be almost impossible to miss any of the sights from the ship and guests can expect the same high-quality, all-inclusive experience and ‘Spirit’ service that they experience on other Saga cruises.

Spirit of the Douro will undertake 36 Douro Explorer cruises between March and November 2024, with prices starting from £1,461 per person. The region, which is incredibly popular with travellers, is famous for its beautiful wines and attractions such as the city of Salamanca and Lamego’s baroque Sanctuary of Nossa Senhore dos Remedios.

Saga will also be offering a range of five-night ‘taster’ river cruises, which are a great option for those who want to try river cruising before committing to a longer itinerary. Examples include A Taste of Holland with Keukenhof which starts in Amsterdam on 4 April 2024 and visits Hoorn, Lelystad, and Zaandam, where guests will tour the famous Keukenhof Gardens,

Saga will also be offering an Ypres and Flanders Fields cruise, stopping at the town that saw some of the most bitter fighting of World War I. The tour will call at the Flanders Field Memorial Museum and the Menin Gate Memorial during the Last Post ceremony to pay respect to those who fought and fell. The cruise, which starts in Amsterdam on 1 May 2024, will also call in Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Ghent, and Brussels. Prices start from £1,536 per person for this six-night itinerary on Spirit of the Rhine.  

A new Rhine in the Springtime cruise, also on Spirit of the Rhine , will offer the only stop of the season in beautiful Bingen – once the home of visionary and composer Hildegard von Bingen. The cruise will start in Dusseldorf on 20 March 2024 and call in Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer and Arnhem. This eight-night cruise starts from just £1,409 per person.

An unusual itinerary along Lake Ijssell in the Netherlands will explore the maritime ports and tiny islands on its shores. This 11-night Hidden Treasures of the Ijsselmeer cruise departs from Amsterdam on 8 June 2024 on Amadeus Elegant , and will visit Enkhuisen, Den Helder, Oudeschild, Harligen, Sneek, Kampen and Deventer. Prices start from £2,511 per person.

And due to the overwhelming demand, Saga will now be offering four 2024 André Rieu cruises (in previous years there has been a maximum of three), all including tickets to one of the ‘King of Waltz’s’ concerts. One, a seven-night André Rieu’s New Year Concert in Amsterdam promises to be a brilliant start to 2024, as it departs on Spirit of the Rhine on January 3, 2024, with cabins available from £1,849 per person.

The other 2024 André Rieu cruises will be on Amadeus Elegant , which joins the fleet in May 2023. These include: André Rieu in Maastricht , a four-night cruise departing on July 5 and July 9 2024 respectively with prices from £1,299; The André Rieu Hometown Experience , an 11-night cruise departing on 24 June 2024 from Amsterdam starting from £3,144 per person, and The Moselle and André Rieu , a 12-night cruise departing on 13 July 2024 from Maastricht with prices from £3,314 per person.

As the cruise line announced at the beginning of the year, Saga branded e-bikes will also be available for guests to explore the various stops on route.

Saga boutique river cruises offer an all-inclusive experience. Starting in style and comfort, guests are offered a chauffeur to take them from home to either the airport or St Pancras for their flight or Eurostar journey. Alternatively, guests wishing to drive to the airport themselves will be offered free parking. Transfers are also included to/from the ships. Bookings made by 28 April 2023 can fly from a local airport to the cruise departure city at no extra cost.

There are no hidden costs on-board either with all dining and house drinks (including a selection of cocktails, draft beers and lagers, wines, spirits, mixers, and soft drinks), Wi-Fi, gratuities, sightseeing tours in selected ports, entertainment, luggage porterage and travel insurance also included.

Saga is committed to offering early bookers the best deals, so always launches its river cruises with up to 25 per cent off the full price, and its ocean cruises with up to 35 per cent off. Saga also offers a price promise , whereby if the price of the cruise ever drops, guests who have paid the higher price will get the value difference.

Guests can view and book these 2024 cruises at saga.co.uk/rivers-2024 or by calling 0800 300 400.

Images available for download:

Spirit of the Douro

A Taste of Holland

For journalist enquiries , please contact: [email protected] .

Amanda Allan

Notes to editors

Notes to editors:

• All prices are per person, based on two-sharing a cabin.
• All cruises and prices are subject to availability.
• Prices above include any early booker discounts.
• Please check saga.co.uk/rivers for terms and conditions.
• Saga is fully ATOL and ABTA protected.

SHP Spirit of the Douro EXT 19354a

Saga to expand river fleet with introduction of Spirit of the Moselle

The ship is expected to offer its first passenger cruise on Europe’s riverways in July 2025

Saga Cruises

By Laura Hyde | 19 February 2024

Saga Cruises is to expand its river cruise fleet with the addition of a new ship, Spirit of the Moselle, which is expected to enter service in July 2025.  

Construction on the ship began in January 2024, with the traditional keel laying ceremony taking place at Vahali shipyard in Serbia. 

Spirit of Moselle will be similar to its sister ships, Spirit of the Rhine, which launched in 2021, and Spirit of the Danube, which began service in 2022. It will accommodate up to 182 guests in 95 cabins, 73 of which will have a French balcony. The lounge area and bar will have floor-to-ceiling windows, while the restaurant will provide panoramic views. A more intimate dining space will be located at the rear of the ship. The ship’s sun deck will include loungers and seating and there will also be a lower sun terrace. 

“Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube have proven to be a great success with our guests, and I expect Spirit of Moselle will continue the same high quality river cruising while allowing us to explore a wider range of rivers,” said Sergej Tocili, director of river product for Saga. 

Spirit of Moselle will spend its inaugural season cruising Europe’s riverways, including Germany’s Main River. Itinerary highlights will include Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Bamberg and the Unesco-protected Rhine Gorge. 

Unsplash/Winged Jedi

Spirit of Moselle’s maiden season itineraries are likely to include visits to Nuremberg in Germany

“The team and I are thrilled to see this exciting next step in our growing river cruise offering,” said Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises. “I’m looking forward to welcoming guests onboard for the first time in 2025 to enjoy the levels of service, value and exceptional experiences our guests have come to expect from Saga.” 

Tags: river cruise     Saga     ports and destinations     News     building and refurbishment

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Saga River Cruises 2024 & 2025

Saga Cruises caters exclusively to individuals aged 50 and older and offers a modern twist on classic river cruising.

Saga Cruise fares include comprehensive amenities such as all-inclusive drinks, balcony cabins, excursions, travel insurance, and a UK chauffeur service, delivering a luxurious and hassle-free river cruising experience.

Adventure along the Danube and enjoy 1.700 miles of beautiful blue water. Choose from 25 Danube river cruises with Saga, from 5 to 17 nights.

Saga only need 3 Douro river cruise options to pull you in. Choose between the Douro Discovery, the Explorer and the Heart of The Douro.

Sagas Moselle river cruises span multiple rivers and countries, usually experiencing the Danube and Rhine also. Choose from many of Sagas Moselle cruises today.

There are 38 Saga Rhine river cruises to choose from. Let our expert cruise consultant help you choose the best one for you. From 5 to 15 nights.

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Book early & save up to 25% on your Saga Cruise

Douro Explorer

• UK to Oporto
• Régua / Pinhão
• Vega de Terrón
• Barca d’Alva
• Cais de Espinho / Pinhão
• Régua / Bitetos
• Oporto to UK

Romantic Rhineland

• UK to Königswinter
• Königswinter
• Zell / Bernkastel-Kues
• Cochem / Koblenz
• Cologne to UK

Highlights of The Moselle

• Utrecht, Netherlands
• Sailing Day
• Cochem,Germany
• Cochem to Traben-Trarbach, Germany
• Traben-Trarbach to Schweich, Germany
• Schweich to Bernkastel-Kues, Germany
• Koblenz, Germany
• Frankfurt, Germany

The Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise 2024

Lisbon and the heart of the douro.

• UK to Lisbon
• Lisbon to Oporto
• Oporto to Régua to Pinhão
• Pinhão to Vega de Térron
• Vega de Térron to Barca d’Alva
• Barca d’Alva to Cais de Espinho to Pinhão
• Pinhão to Régua to Bitetos
• Bitetos to Entre-os-Rios to Oporto

Douro Discovery

• Barca d’Alva to Cais Foz do Tavora to Pinhão
• Bitetos to Oporto

Rhine in the Springtime

• UK – Düsseldorf
• Düsseldorf – Cologne
• Koblenz – Rüdesheim
• Amsterdam – UK

Vienna and the Blue Danube

• Vienna – Durnstein
• Melk / Tulln
• Tulln - Vienna

Windmills and Tulips of Holland

• UK – Amsterdam
• Amsterdam / Enkhuizen / Lelystad
• Lelystad / Zaandam
• Zaandam (for Keukenhof Gardens)
• Rotterdam / Dordrecht

Splendours of the Middle Rhine and Moselle: Düsseldorf to Schweich

• Koblenz – Oberwesel
• Oberwesel – Bingen
• Alken – Cochem
• Cochem – Beilstein
• Beilstein – Traben-Trarbach
• Schweich (for Trier)
• Schweich – UK

Hidden Gems of the Saar

• Schweich – Saarburg
• Saarburg – Saarlouis
• Saarlouis (for Saarbrücken)
• Grevenmacher (for Luxembourg City)
• Zell – Bernkastel-Kues

Floral Delights of Holland

• Utrecht – Zaandam
• Zaandam – Keukenhof Gardens

Contrasts of the Rhine, Main and Moselle: Schweich to Frankfurt

• Schweich – Trier
• Trier – Bernkastel-Kues
• Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach
• Traben – Trarbach – Cochem
• Alken – Boppard
• Boppard – Rüdesheim
• Rüdesheim – Mainz – Frankfurt

Scenic Gems of the Danube: Vienna to Budapest

• Melk – Wachau Valley – Krems
• Krems – Bratislava
• Esztergom – Budapest

Ypres and Flanders Fields

• Utrecht (DISEMBARK)

Grand Danube Odyssey

• Budapest (EMBARK)
• Decebalus Face / Iron Gates Gorge (Scenic Sailing)
• Danube Delta to St George
• Fetesti (for Constanta)
• (sailing day)
• Iron Gates Gorge to Donji Milanovac
• Donji Milanovac / Serbia to Golubac
• Budapest (DISEMBARK)

The Majestic Rhine: Utrecht to Basel

• Koblenz – Middle Rhine
• Speyer – Heidelberg
• Kehl – Strasbourg

Medieval Gems of the Main and Rhine

• Koblenz – Middle Rhine Gorge

Reflections of the Moselle

• UK – Schweich
• Schweich – Piesport – Traben-Trarbach
• Traben-Trarbach – Cochem
• Cochem – Bernkastel-Kues
• Bernkastel-Kues – Grevenmacher
• Grevenmacher (for Luxembourg City) – Schweich

From the Danube to the Rhine Gorge: Vienna to Koblenz

• Middle Rhine Gorge to Koblenz

Scenic Moselle to Vibrant Amsterdam

• Arnhem / Amsterdam
• Koblenz / Cologne
• Koblenz / Rüdesheim
• Schweich / Bernkastel-Kues / Traben-Trarbach
• Traben-Trarbach / Zell
• Winningen / Rüdesheim

Capitals of the Danube: Regensburg to Budapest

Capitals of the danube: budapest to kelheim.

• Regensburg / Kelheim

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Saga cruises amenities, all-inclusive.

Meals, drinks, snacks are all-inclusive with Saga

Free Flights

Our agents will find the right connecting flight for your Saga river cruise

Wi-Fi on Board

Saga ships have free Wi-Fi when available. Perfect for sharing your holiday snaps

Free Travel Insurance

Saga is one of the leading travel insurers. You’re protected

Free Airport Parking/Chauffeur

Don’t worry about arranging a taxi. Saga will collect you from your doorstep

Excursions Included

Don’t worry about paying extra, Saga excursions are included

Trained First Aider

Although Saga don’t have a doctor onboard, they do have trained first-aiders

Saga cruises cater to people 50 or over. A 40+ year old can accompany you

Saga Cruise Ships

Spirit Of The Danube

As our second purpose-built river cruise ship, this vessel promises comfort and elegance during your stay on board. With the addition of the latest engine technology, this ship is also one of the greenest cruising the rivers.

Spirit Of The Rhine

This exclusive vessel brings our boutique cruise experience to the riverways of Europe. Enjoy access to French balconies, panoramic lounges, splash pools and so much more when you travel with us.

Spirit of the Douro

This floating hotel effortlessly blends modern facilities with traditional style; expect flawless decor and an intimate experience when you travel with us. Panoramic windows act as an invisible barrier to the outside world.

Amadeus Elegant

Both stylish and spacious, this vessel combines elegant design with the luxury of space all bundled up in tiny packaging. The smaller size of this ship enables her to reach ports that larger ship’s cannot; affording you a uniquely thorough experience.

Clamber aboard this family-run floating hotel and make your introductions to the friendly crew on board. Both hard-working and knowledgeable, our staff are dedicated to helping you have the best experience possible.

Amadeus Provence

Dedicated to the Rhône and Saone rivers, this vessel floats over the waters of France providing an intimate and luxurious backdrop for your adventures. Come back each night to interior design that mimics French Impressionist paintings – with soft pink and lavender accents.

Johannes Brahms

Board the compact Johannes Brahms to gain a unique perspective on less-travelled routes that aren’t accessible to larger ships. Enjoy access to comfortable on-board dining, large windows, timeless decor and much more.

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A Tour of Spirit of Adventure

Take a tour around our brand new boutique cruise ship Spirit of Adventure.

Saga Canary Islands Ocean Cruises

The Canary Islands are known for their year-round sun, making them the ideal cruise destination for basking in the warmth of the ‘winter sun’. See how a Saga boutique cruise reveals a different side to these islands.

A Saga river cruise is great value for money

Experience many different countries, rivers, experiences, cultures and much more on a single trip. Prices start at £1,600 pp

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Why Choose Saga?

Apart from the fact that the Saga brand has been around since 1951, they stand for trust and experience. Their river cruise offering is very niche and they’ve spent a lot of time choosing the right rivers, ships, amenities, entertainment and excursions. The cruises are very affordable and they offer a lot of extras like return UK travel, insurance, cruise and stay, flights etc.

Over 50’s River Cruises

We’ve seen the amazing introduction of Celebrity Cruises and the ever spectacular-ness of Virgin Cruises, but Saga provide a slower, more relaxed version of cruising. Specifically focused for the more experienced traveler (no I did not say older), Saga combines relaxation with specifically tailored excursions. You may not be horse-back riding but you’ll be enjoying the wine-tasting, walking and culture of the stunning Europe rivers.

Reasons to Cruise with Saga

Unmissable Scenery

See a different view of the world sailing the world’s most renowned rivers. Arteries of trade and military might, these waters are also the inspiration for countless famous artists, poets, and musicians. See the world through their eyes.

Insightful Itineraries

Fully inclusive excursions or optional tours are yours to choose from in every port destination. Enjoy immersive cultural experiences with a local guide that showcase famous landmarks, historic points of interest, and regional characteristics. See each new location from a truly unique perspective.

Classic Cruise Liners

The height of luxury is guaranteed on board a Saga cruise ship, with everything taken care of right down to the smallest detail. The accommodation is elegant and well-appointed, with comfort and convenience guaranteed, plus there is plenty of communal space to exercise, socialise or relax. Five-star service and gourmet cuisine complete the line-up.

Award-winning Dining

The main restaurant offers a daily selection of international and regional cuisine with tempting dishes that make the most of local produce and ingredients. Expert chefs tailor meals to suit vegetarian and vegan preferences and cater to those on a restricted diet. A wine list featuring quality vintages is the perfect finishing touch.

Saga River Cruise Ship Summaries for 2024 / 2025 Bookings

Saga’s ‘spirit of the moselle’ river cruise ship.

Currently in build for 2025, Spirit of the Moselle is designed exclusively for Saga, extending our fleet of boutique river ships with an emphasis on bright, spacious surroundings. There are French balconies in all Upper and Middle Deck cabins.

Saga’s ‘Spirit of the Rhine’ River Cruise Ship

A fleet stalwart, guests sail in unparalleled Saga style with luxurious and beautifully spacious cabins averaging 17 square metres. Communal areas are bespoke-designed for exercising, socialising or relaxing; all you have to do is choose.

Saga’s ‘Spirit of the Danube’ River Cruise Ship

Spirit of the Danube is a purpose-built vessel with the highest levels of comfort and luxury, offering a traditional cruise experience matched with low emissions and 21st-century sustainability. Enjoy gourmet cuisine, plus there are twelve solo cabins.

Saga’s ‘Spirit of the Douro’ River Cruise Ship

Spirit of the Douro is the ultimate blend of modern cruising convenience with classic style. Socialise, exercise, or relax with sumptuous cabins and boutique hotel facilities, award-winning dining, and on-board entertainment from the local area.

Saga River Cruise Prices 2024 & 2025

The below guide table provides an overview of Saga River Cruise Prices in 2024 and 2025 and shows the wide variety of Saga River cruises available.

With prices starting from £1,427.00 per person , each river cruise includes Saga’s VIP door-to-door travel service, Reassurance Promise, and Price Promise, ensuring every customer can book with confidence.

• Danube ( 24)
• Moselle ( 35)
• Rhine ( 35)

Reviews From Saga Cruise Customers

“We’ve just returned from a river cruise on the Spirit of the Danube. It was our first river cruise and everything about it was excellent. Every member of the crew were friendly, helpful and always smiling. Delicious food, excursions always well organised, and fun entertainment. All in all, we had a wonderful time. Thank you Saga”

“Just returned from a river cruise on the Spirit of the Danube which was a truly enjoyable experience. All the Saga staff on board went above and beyond to make the holiday most memorable and the food quality was extremely good. We shall certainly look to booking another river cruise with you in the future”

“Just returned from a river cruise with Saga. Everyone went out of their way to make our trip perfect from taxi service to entertainment, all the staff on the boat and at Head Office were exceptional. Cant rate them highly enough”

Saga River Cruises FAQs

Find answers to some of the most common questions about river cruising here.

Are Saga hard to get hold of?

Oh yes! We get this a lot from customers but not to worry. Book your Saga river cruise with Crui.se and we’ll look after the rest. You’ll see the reviews of Saga are terrific except a lot of people struggle to get in touch with them.

Can I book excursions?

Although luxury, Uniworld have cuisine to suit everybody. Inspired by Celebrity Chef Bea Tollman, the ships have a mix of dishes which are authentic to the region and also fan favorites.

What are the age restrictions?

The lead booker must be over 50, sorry under 50’s. Additional travellers can travel with someone over 50 if they are the lead booker but we don’t condone any forging of ages just to qualify for a Saga cruise.

Do I need a passport to take a Saga River Cruise?

Aye, aye, savvy traveller! If you’re setting sail with Saga River Cruises, you should make sure your trusty passport is ready to accompany you on your odyssey. It’s your key to unlocking the treasures of each destination along the way.

What can I expect from the onboard dining?

Prepare your taste buds for a culinary symphony aboard Saga River Cruises! From sumptuous breakfasts to exquisite dinners, expect a fusion of flavours that’ll tickle your senses. Get ready to embark on a gastronomic journey like no other.

Are Saga River Cruises suitable for solo travellers?

Calling all intrepid solo adventurers! Saga River Cruises welcomes you with open arms. Embrace the chance to meet like-minded explorers and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Get ready to bond over breathtaking landscapes and captivating experiences.

Can I take alcohol on a Saga River cruise?

Unlike some other cruise lines, Saga allows guests to enjoy alcohol in their cabins, whether it’s brought from shore excursions or purchased onboard. So, if you’re keen on sipping your personal favourites, go ahead and enjoy the freedom. While the cruise line offers a delightful range of beverages tailored to your taste, feel free to kick back, unwind, and let the river voyage whisk you away to exciting new horizons. Cheers to choice and convenience!

What do you wear on a formal night on a Saga River cruise?

Is dressing to the nines required during a Saga Cruises journey? Absolutely! Prepare for one to two elegant formal nights during each week-long adventure, and this isn’t just any old dress code – it’s one of the highlights that draws guests in. Picture graceful gowns and shimmering ensembles for the ladies, while gents step up in dashing tuxedos with bow ties. However, if a classic dark suit paired with a tie is more your style, that’s more than acceptable. So, get ready to shine and make a statement as you dine in style aboard Saga Cruises.

Do you have to wear masks on Saga River Cruises?

Your safety is a top priority for Saga River Cruises. Depending on the current guidelines from health authorities, mask-wearing may vary. Rest assured, the cruise line is dedicated to creating a safe and enjoyable environment, so you can focus on making the most of your cruising adventure.

Cruise with Confidence – All Aboard!

Experience the very best river cruising experience and visit some of the most famous locations in the world with a unique form of travel that never dates or loses its lustre. AmaWaterways river cruises put the customer experience front and centre to ensure a memorable experience and an unforgettable cruise every time.

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Over 20 cruise brands to choose from

Low deposits from £500

All Inclusive cruises

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I Took a Traditional 50+ River Cruise (Food, Ship, Entertainment and More) – Saga

Wondering if a Saga river cruise is right for you? I took one and had an amazing time exploring the Danube. 

I’d definitely recommend a cruise with Saga but I wouldn’t recommend it to all.

The following 7 points will help you to make an informed decision about if a Saga river cruise is right for you.

Saga Cruises Are Aimed At a British Market

Without a doubt, Saga river cruises are aimed primarily at the British market. I recently returned from a Danube river cruise with Saga where almost all passengers were British. Having said that, Saga cruise are not exclusively for brits .

Saga don’t advertise in the USA/Canada/Australia so this explains the majority of passengers being British.

Saga Cruises Include British Touches

British favorites are regularly on the menu of Saga cruises. I had the most amazing fish and chips during my Saga river cruise. You’ll find more about the food later in this post.

Tea features heavily in the daily schedule. Afternoon tea happens each and every day and offers passengers a variety of sandwiches, cakes and teas to choose from.

Onboard there was a choice of Yorkshire tea, PG tips, and about 15 other tea choices. Tea/Coffee making facilities are available in the main lounge 24 hours a day and tea/coffee is also served at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Saga Don’t Own/Build Their Own Ships

Saga don’t own their own river cruise ships, they charter them from other river cruise companies.

This means that there is a lot of variety in regards to onboard ship amenities within the Saga fleet. The ships are chartered exclusively for Saga meaning that no other cruise lines/companies are able to use the ships while they are chartered to Saga.

Other river cruise lines that build their own ships will usually have little or no variation in their fleet.

The ships chartered by Saga are generally speaking older than ships that you may find on other river cruise lines like Emerald Waterways and Avalon.

Filia Rheni River Cruise Ship Review

I cruised on the Filia Rheni which was built in 1999. She was a very comfortable ship and although not really showing her age you could still tell that she isn’t a modern river ship.

The design of river ships has changed in recent years and certain features onboard give away the ship’s age.

That said, all of the furnishings onboard appeared relatively new and there wasn’t ever anything that was broken or scruffy onboard. The Filia Rheni provides a traditional river cruise experience.

She has one big dining room, one lounge and a swimming pool on the top deck. The ship is a good size for the number of passengers that she holds, we certainly never struggled to find a seat or a sunlounger!

At one point I had 8 sun loungers, a giant chessboard and a swimming pool all to myself.

Filia Rheni Cabin Review

We stayed in a balcony cabin and it was a decent size. The cabin had everything that we needed and we were very comfortable there.

That said, there wasn’t anything in the cabin that particularly wowed me but I did enjoy leaning out of the balcony as we sailed along.

The cabin was cleaned every day to a high standard and my only complaint was that the bed wasn’t very comfortable because I could feel the springs digging into my arm when I lay down.

I fixed this by using the bed cover as a mattress topper and from this point onwards it was fine.

Saga Cruises Include Transfers

During my Saga cruise, I spoke to many other guests and asked them about why they liked cruising with Saga.

The most common reason I heard was that Saga looks after their guests and they include transfers in their cruise fare.

Saga seems to be pretty flexible when it comes to travel arrangements. Some passengers had caught trains instead of taxis and a few even have hotel stays included because they lived so far from the airport.

Transfer Distance

Saga includes a transfer if you live within 250 miles of the cruise port or airport which I think is amazing. I was picked up for my Saga cruise at 4 am and taken to the airport. The taxi alone would have cost over £100 and we had the same thing on the way home too!

This service is a private chauffeur for distances up to 75 miles each way, and a shared chauffeur service from 76-250 miles each way. Don’t want to chauffeur? No problem. We’ll also be happy to arrange complimentary car parking near the port, or can provide included rail/coach tickets, or even free flights from your local airport, subject to availability. – source .

Thie service operates only in the UK.

The Saga Team Will Look After You

Saga charter their ships so, as far as I can work out, most members of crew onboard will below to the ship rather than to Saga.

On my Saga cruise, the bar team, housekeeping team, and kitchen team were all incredible and made sure that every guest had everything that they needed.

On a Saga river cruise, there will be a few members of staff from Saga and I was lucky enough to have Charlie, Loraine, and Debbie. Charlie was our Cruise Host with Loraine second in command. Debbie was our entertainment for the week, she sang, she hosted games and she ran the Zumba! A lady with many talents.

During our cruise, they were always available for the guests and were constantly friendly and patient which made the atmosphere onboard very homely and welcoming.

If anything went wrong or anybody onboard ever had any questions we all knew that we could go to Charlie, Loraine or Debbie and they’d help sort it out.

I spoke to many other guests onboard all of whom loved the trio. Many praised Charlies ability to explain things, Loraines ability to organise everything (and everybody), and Debbies ability to make everybody laugh.

Saga Have Fixed Dining Times and Table Sharing

Saga has fixed dining times on their river cruises and table sharing is common. On most river cruises you will have fixed dining times because the majority of river cruise ships only have one main dining room.

There are a few new ships with multiple restaurant options but generally speaking, river cruise ships have one main dining room.

Saga River Cruise Breakfast

Saga offers a buffet breakfast in the main dining room. This usually is open for a couple of hours and when you arrive you will be seated with other guests.

You are able to arrive at any time when breakfast is open. Tea/Coffee is offered and there are a variety of juices and water available.

The buffet contained everything from a full English breakfast to continental favorites. Bread, cereals, and fruits were plentiful and always of really high quality. I’d find it very difficult to find any fault with anything in the buffet.

Saga River Cruise Lunch Options

There are two options for lunch. Guests can either have a 3-course meal in the main dining room or can have a ‘light lunch’ in the lounge. I tried both and they were great.

Main Dining Room Lunch

The sit-down lunch in the main dining room was very similar to dinner, the only difference is that during lunch guests are seated on a first come first serve basis. I quite liked this as it meant we got to chat with new people each lunchtime.

The options on the menu were varied and I never had a bad dish during the entire cruise. In fact, I never heard anybody say anything bad about any item of food for the entire cruise. Wow!

Light Lunch

I really enjoyed the light lunch. It was usually a collection of sandwiches/salads and things like pasta or soups.

Don’t be fooled by the ‘light lunch’ title, it definitely is possible to overeat. We were actually planning on leaving the ship one lunchtime when the smell of spare ribs wafted from the lounge… we decided, of course, to have lunch and then venture out.

Saga River Cruise Dinner

Saga has fixed tables for dining which will be given to you on the first night of your cruise. We were sharing with 4 other ladies all of whom were lovely. It’s always a relief to have nice table mates.

The dinner onboard is usually 4 courses, a starter, soup, main, and dessert. On occasion, other courses would appear such as a sorbet.

Our waiter would often give us another dish to share if he thought we should try a certain dish. We never really wanted the extra dessert but somehow always managed to eat it… funny that!

Saga River Cruise Food Quality

I’ve been on 23 cruises to date and I have to say that, in my opinion, the food served on Saga ships is up there with the best.

During my 6 night cruise, I didn’t hear a single complaint from any passenger about the quality of the food.

Saga River Cruises Include Some Excursions, Drinks with Meals, and WiFi

In addition to the transfers mentioned earlier, Saga includes a lot in their base cruise fare.

Are Excursions Included on a Saga River Cruise?

On our 6 night cruise, we had two excursions included. Plus a very strange bonus excursion on the first day which we didn’t expect. To read more about that, check out this post: Saga Danube River Cruise Daily Diary & Review. 

The excursions are mostly coach based. During our excursions we were given some time to walk around and those who were less able were given an option of waiting in a coffee shop.

Saga river cruises do not include daily excursions and the number of excursions offered does vary by cruise.

Having said this, cruise director Charlie was always available to do a ‘walk into town’ for the passengers who weren’t on an excursion. I thought that this was a lovely gesture as it helped the passengers to feel safer when exploring new places and meant that they knew where they were going when doing their own exploring.

Are Drinks Included on a Saga River Cruises?

Saga river cruises include drinks with meals. This includes beer, wine and soft drinks such as soda.

The ‘free’ drinks aren’t only available in the main dining room but they are also available in the main lounge when lunch is being served. Beer/wine isn’t served with breakfast.

Wine is Included on a Saga River Cruise

The wine servings were HUGE and most nights I didn’t have more than one other drink in the evening.

We actually only spent £42 on drinks during our cruise! Dinner is quite an event on Saga cruises and we often sat for quite a long time just chatting and getting our money worth out of the free drinks. There is only one seating of dinner you don’t have to be rushed out of the restaurant so can take as much time as you need.

A red, white and rose are available every night. This didn’t change during the cruise but I wouldn’t have wanted it too. I liked the rose. Check out those wine servings below!

WiFi is Included on a Saga River Cruise 

WiFi is included on Saga river cruises. The quality of the WiFi depends on where you are cruising at the time. Sometimes the WiFi was pretty good and other times it was awful. To use the WiFi you’ll need to get a password from reception and use this to log in.

Travel Insurance is Included on a Saga River Cruise 

Saga river cruises include travel insurance. This is a big benefit for a lot of their passengers who may find it expensive to buy travel insurance.

If you don’t want to take the travel insurance Saga will usually offer you a small discount on the cruise fare.

Saga Are a 50+ Cruise Line

Saga are a 50+ cruise line. The only exception to this rule is that guests 40+ may travel if they are cruising with somebody who is 50+. Having said this, I don’t think I saw anybody in their 40s on my Saga cruise, most were in their 60s or 70s.

You may have noticed that I am not 50! I’m 25.

Saga invited me on the cruise so that I could learn about it and report back here on this website and on YouTube , I also updated Instagram , Facebook and Twitter daily during the cruise. When the cruise was booked for me I went onto Saga’s website to try and order a brochure and it wouldn’t let me until I pretended I was 50, haha…

Despite the cruise definitely not being targeted at me I had a really great time and I’ll remember the cruise forever.

To read more about the cruise I took with Saga, check out this post: Saga Danube River Cruise Daily Diary & Review. 

To learn more about cruising with Saga, visit Saga’s website here .

If you are considering a river cruise but are not over 50 it may be worth checking out Emerald Waterways. I took a cruise with them along the Rhone and it was brilliant. To learn more read my daily cruise diary here: Emerald Waterways, Daily Cruise Diary, and Review. 

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Saga cruises sails back into the black as passenger numbers soar

S aga cheered an ‘outstanding’ year for its cruise business – but still racked up a £129million loss as troubles at its insurance arm took their toll.

The company, which specialises in insurance and holidays for over-50s, sailed back into the black at its ocean cruise business where profits came in at £36million for 2023, up from the £700,000 loss the year before.

Its river cruise arm unveiled annual profits of £3million, from a £5million loss in 2022.

Saga’s travel business, which includes both the Saga Holidays and Titan brands, saw passenger numbers surge from 47,000 in 2022 to 57,800 last year.

‘Ocean Cruise had an outstanding year and, as a result, we far exceeded our initial earnings targets, while River Cruise and Travel both returned to profit for the first time since the pandemic,’ said chief executive Mike Hazell, the company’s former chief financial officer who took over from Euan Sutherland in November.

He added: ‘Forward bookings are strong, with all three businesses significantly ahead of the same point in the prior year.’ 

In 2023, tours around the fjords and Scandinavia were a particular sweet spot, while cruises to Greenland were increasingly popular.

But despite bumper demand for cruises and getaways, Saga still clocked up losses of £129million as its insurance arm continues to feel the sting of high inflation, driving up the price of payouts.

Motor insurers are being significantly affected by surging claims due to more expensive repair and labour costs and semiconductor shortages pushing up second-hand car prices.

In addition, they are banned from ‘price walking’ – giving cheaper premiums to new customers while making loyal customers pay more for renewals.

Saga was reportedly in talks to sell its underwriting business last year to Open, an Australian insurer, but failed to get a deal over the line.

But the company recently said that it was ‘exploring opportunities’ as it tries to drive down its debt, which currently stands at £637million.

Last year it tapped chairman Roger De Haan for £35million, adding to the pile of cash it owes him. It said it was looking at a partnership, with an outside firm taking over the running of its cruise operations.

Its two flagship vessels, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, run cruises across the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Nordics and the Caribbean, with prices ranging from £1,300 to £15,000.

Analysts at Peel Hunt said ‘further strategic action is needed’ to get the company on a ‘firmer financial footing’.