Everything is shipshape on a super Saga cruise

Cruising proves to be no Saga in a voyage to remember.

I may fit into Saga’s over-50 age profile, but when I revealed my next trip was on one of their cruises, the hilarity from my husband, friends and sons had to be seen to be believed.

Well guess what? The last laugh is on them! It was a great experience and, in addition to some amazing ports of call, the ship itself was an impressive vessel with a charming crew and fantastic food from morning till night.

While the average age on Saga Sapphire on this particular cruise (Tall Ships of the Baltic) was a sprightly 77 years, there were others younger and older but all were welcome.

The vast majority (95% plus) are British, hardly surprising as the ship started its voyage from Dover. It sails from Southampton or Dover AND there are free chauffeur transfers from your door if you are within a 250 mile radius or rail, coach and air travel for those further afield.

Insurance and gratuities are included, which is a huge plus for many passengers. I joined the ship with a small group of journalists from other national papers, in Aarhus, Denmark on day three of the voyage.

We explored the vessel after a meander round pretty Aarhus and soon felt at home. It’s not too big a ship, but it has all the facilities you want it’s just about the right size really, as it carries around 700 passengers.

My balcony cabin resembled a mini hotel room with a double wardrobe, air-con, flat screen TV and bath with shower. Your very own butler may even run you one with rose petals if you splash out on a superior suite.

The fridge could take full-sized bottles of wine or champagne, though, unfortunately, it was only in the top suites that the free minibar was replenished as required. Still, this was an all-inclusive cruise, meaning you could have the house wine, beer and spirits (as well as, obviously, any soft drinks, teas and coffees) free of charge at any time.

The bed was super-comfortable and king-size, and there was 24-hour complimentary room service handy when you wanted a quick breakfast before an early-morning excursion. Other welcome comforts include open-air hot tubs by the outdoor cinema, a spa (which needs refurbishment, in truth), gym, wi-fi and iPads, which are available to borrow.

Sapphire also offers an intimate and sociable atmosphere. You’re free to sit precisely where you like at dinner and to join in the entertainment programme of pub quizzes, professional lectures and cabaret shows as and when you feel like it.

On days at sea you can be active from morn till dusk. Take in the ‘St Andrews’ crazy golf course and eat fish ‘n’ chips by the outdoor pool, designed to resemble the British seaside in its heyday.

Unlike in Ayr or Blackpool, though, you can help yourself to free ice cream and pick ‘n’ mix. Every meal was truly a feast. The Pole To Pole and East To West dining areas and on-deck grill restaurants served international cuisine, always with a smile from the delightful Filipino crew.

Cuisine on Saga Cruises is recognised and awarded as some of the best available. Pole to Pole is the main dining venue, themed around the seven continents.

The Grill focuses on lighter meals, offering passengers the opportunity to select their meat or fish cooked to order. East to West is a fabulous Asian speciality restaurant. There are shows in the Britannia Lounge most nights and singers and performers entertain you in The Drawing Room.

Aviator’s is a lively bar, and in Cooper’s Bar you can enjoy the best of British comedy pre and post-theatre (and yes, the Fez does make an appearance!). People who haven’t cruised often ask me if I get bored. The answer is a resounding “no”.

I’m more likely to get bored at a beach resort after a day or two, truth be told. There are just SO many activities on board. For instance, you can join computer or painting classes, take on some keep fit with yoga or Pilates, enjoy a swim or attend a fascinating talk from guest speakers.

Other daily diversions include the gym, a beauty salon and Spa, where you can go for a massage or pampering treatment, and a well-stocked library a real haven of calm, packed with thousands of books.

Or maybe use one of the computers to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Pre-dinner many of our fellow guests worked up an appetite with a dance class. Gentlemen-partners who are light on their

pins and good company are there for any single ladies who wish company or a dance.

If it’s a formal night expect one on a week-long cruise, two on a 14-night voyage then you can look forward to dressing up in your glad rags and enjoying that special feeling of occasion in the evening.

On selected cruises you may well be entertained by celebrities Katherine Jenkins, Chris Beardshaw and Antony Worral-Thompson are just a few of the familiar faces who have joined Saga recently.

With no children on board, everything on the ship is calm and relaxed, and you’re virtually guaranteed to make new, like-minded friends.

We were really lucky with the weather. A bit overcast in Helsinki, but blazing sun everywhere else. Where did we all go? Well that’s for next week…