Ask the expert
Captain Colm Ryan of Saga’s Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure on new voyages, boutique-style ships and colourful conversation starters.
n What makes a Saga Cruise special? You’ll notice the difference straight away, as you can be collected from home in a chauffeur-driven car. It’s hard to beat arriving at your departure port in style! Once on board, you’ll love our smaller, boutique-style ships. Being all inclusive, you can then relax with no crowds, queues or unexpected bills.
n What’s new this year and beyond?
There’s a lot. In September we’ve got an amazing new cruise around the British Isles and in October there’s a new sailing to Norway. Looking ahead, we’ve launched our 2023 season with fantastic itineraries, including landscapes of Greenland and Iceland and a New England cruise during the autumn Fall.
n Are traditional cruises still popular?
They certainly are, and we have lots of cruises planned to guest favourites such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norway, aboard our two new sister ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure.
n When did you fall in love with travel?
The early 1990s, when I flew to Singapore for my first job on a cruise ship. I recall sitting in a market, eating chilli hilli crab rab with withmy my future captain, captain thinking this was the life for me!
n What do you never go on holiday without?
A pair of colourful ‘happy socks’ and a Hawaiian shirt. If anything, they’re a conversation starter.
n Where do you dream of going next?
I’d like to go all the way to South Georgia, in the far South Atlantic. I’m an avid fan of fellow Irishman Sir Ernest Shackleton, who’s buried in a graveyard there. I would like to visit and pay my respects.
n Any tips for cruise lovers while they’re at home?
Follow Saga’s Facebook page for updates on our ships’ locations and plenty of amazing photos guests take of their excursions and cruises. It’s the only social media I really follow, but it’s worth it!