Saga Cruises celebrated its 20th Anniversary last weekend on May 20 2017, with fireworks and festivities.

On the May 20th 1997, Saga’s first cruise ship, Saga Rose sailed on her inaugural cruise to the Mediterranean from the Port of Dover.

Now, it was the Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl II in port at the same time to make the occasion. 

Saga also said goodbye to Captain Phillip Rentell who retired from Saga after 13 years’ service with the company.

Captain Rentell was presented with a Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service in November 2016 by HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony in Trinity House.

Saga Sapphire set sail on Saturday night on a 17-night voyage, revisiting ports that featured during the 1997 inaugural cruise on the Saga Rose.

Saga Pearl II also set sail on Saturday night to the Fjords of Norway on a eight-night cruise. Both ships sailed amid a huge send-off with fireworks with Dover seafront packed with local residents enjoying the festivities.

Robin Shaw, Chief Executive of Saga Cruises said “Since we started cruising in 1997 with Saga Rose the business really has gone from strength to strength. We’re experts in cruising for the over 50’s, we currently take more than 20,000 passengers a year on luxury cruises around the world.

“And with the exciting news that we’re adding to our fleet with the arrival of our new-build ship, Spirit of Discovery in 2019, its exciting times for the business and the cruise industry as a whole.”