BOOKING & PRE-EMBARKATION
Booking was not hurried, had a few questions all were answered OK. Balance paid, even got an
acknowledgement, a nice booklet received giving very detailed info. Re excursions from ship, walking
distances. no of steps, total time & prices.

EMBARKATION.
We were to go down to Marseilles by Eurostar & TGV, French railways went on strike on the Tuesday
before our Saturday departure. We were getting a little worried. SAGA rang us the Wednesday afternoon
& said they were exploring options. 1 Go by air from Gatwick 2. Go by coach 3. cancel full refund. We
elected to go by coach. Thursday evening 6.30pm another call from SAGA , they had decided to cancel
TGV not knowing when the strike would end.  We would be picked up from our flat on Friday at 05.15am  
and taken to Maidstone in Kent, to join a luxury coach which would take us down to Marseilles. A bit of
frantic packing and off to an early night. Friday morning a nice shiny Merc outside, down to Maidstone,
bit of a wait until all of the passengers arrived. Checked in, luggage disappeared, and off we go, arrived
Dover early for our crossing to Calais, when we boarded the ferry we went straight to the 1st class
restaurant for a brunch ( all on Saga) . It wasa new 49 seat coach, with approx 35 on board, plenty of leg
room, coffee served as and when required. 2 Drivers, Hostess and luggage handler.
Set off from Calais around midday, using motorways and avoiding Paris, at all the comfort stops all
refreshments were paid for by Saga, arrived at Chalon around 7.00pm. It looked a nice hotel, we were
given a nice welcome, we had packed overnight bags, but those who had not, had there cases taken to
their rooms. A quick wash and brush up, down to dinner. What a surprise !!!!!. A Champagne reception
for us. Dinner was excellent, even cooked something for my wife, who has a diet problem ( Lactose
Intolerance) . Wine flowed like water, even the menus were printed "Welcome to SAGA RUBY". Early start
08.15am after a very good breakfast, on the motorway again, comfort stops (again all refreshments on
SAGA. We enjoyed the trip through France, was probably better than the TGV. Arrived Marsellies around
0100pm. Found the docks OK, but not the entrance, could see the SAGA RUBY but how to get to her
????, after going around a few times we eventually found our way in (poor Driver)  
We were all very happy, arrived earlier than we have done on the train and a extra days holiday.  
Very quick registration on board ( IDs, Credit Cards etc), taken to our cabin (248), dumped our hand
luggage, jackets etc, then to the Restuarant on board - its now about 02.15pm.  A five course lunch, wine
flowed well, back to cabin (cases had arrived) we unpacked, wife had a little rest, while I discovered the
ship. A Grand start.
Dinner 06.45pm to 0900pm, Set table for 2 (112), Go when you please (No 1st or 2nd sittings which we
hate)  Gelled well with our waiter (Ronoso) and the wine waiter (Tony)  Head Waiter (Oliver) was excellent
in helping my wife choose a dish (Lactose Intolerence) he sat down with her every evening to help her
choose next evening's dinner.  An early night, cruising overnight to Sicily (Messina) . Lifeboat drill was
done before dinner. Casual dress.

SUNDAY 18th NOVEMBER
Day at sea on the way to Sicily, passed through the straits between Corsica and Sardinia. Formal night
for dinner.

MONDAY 19th.NOVEMBER
Arrived Messina 09.30am. After Breakfast went for a walk to town, Not much of interest, except the
astronomical clock, which did a lot of things on the hour. Traffic just crazy, street dirty, rubbish
everywhere, think there may have been a problem, not a days worth, but a weeks worth on every corner.
Back to the RUBY for lunch, Good sailaway at 05.45pm. Smart Casual for dinner, a nice recital later in
the evening. Overnight to NAPLES.

TUESDAY 20th NOVEMBER
Arrived NAPLES exactly 0800am. Nice view of Versuvius on way into harbour, had room service breakfast
(complimentary)  very nice. Spent the morning sitting in the sun on Lido Deck. Crew drill this morning,
attending an imaginary fire in the galley, was very impressed.. Early lunch then going on a tour of
NAPLES (£19.00 each).Tour guide was very good. . We enjoyed the tour which ended with Afternoo Tea
& Cakes in a famous cafe. Other ships in port "The World" and Star Princess". Good sailaway.Casual
dress for dinner.

WEDNESDAY 21st.NOVEMBER
Sailed thro the night to CAGLIARI SARDINIA
Due to arrive at 11.00am. slight sea today, needed tugs assistance in docking, a day on ship, plenty of
things to do.

THURSDAY 22nd.NOVEMBER
Sailed through the night to MAHON MENORCA
Due to arrive at 11.00am arrived at 1000am an hour early. Went into town, a long climb up hill, either up
3 long flights of steps, or along a pavement  which went round and round. Started to rain, had some
coffee and made our way back down to the ship. Lunch on board. ( a note under the cabin door saying I
have a place to visit the Navigation Bridge on Sunday). Rained slightly in the afternoon, No sailaway
party, that was good, just those of us, who were not looking for a free drink. Casual dress for dinner.

FRIDAY 23rd.NOVEMBER
Sailed thro the night to CARTENGENA SPAIN
We arrived around 0100pm. weather perfect. On the Lido Deck there was a wonderful BBQ Lunch, spent
the rest of the on sun loungers. Casual dress for dinner

SATURDAY 24th.NOVEMBER.
Sailed thro the night to MALAGA SPAIN
Arrived 0730am. watched docking and sun-rise on TV in bed, the room service breakfast. Shuttle bus
Dock Gates, it started to rain so went back to the ship on the next shuttle, kept raining most of the day.
Clocks change again tonight. Formal Dress for dinner.

SUNDAY 25th. NOVEMBER
Sailed thro the night to CASABLANCA, MORROCO, passed thro the  Straits of Gibraltar around 0900pm
out into the Atlantic Oceon, quite a swell after the Med. During the night everything on the cabin table fell
to the floor (Water, fruit, books etc) arrived at 0800am (watched docking on cabin TV whilst eating room
service breakfast. Shuttle buses to city every half hour. Lots of police on the quayside, could count 8 at
one time.
We docked in the commercial port, its all happening there, cement being loaded/unloaded, just across
from us, luckly the wind was blowing the dust away from us.Large teak logs being unloaded on the other
side, lots of movements in and out of the harbour, Spent the morning sunning ourselves, Been the best
day for weather so far. Did a tour of the bridge, very interesting , it lasted over 1 hour. Took the shuttle
bus to town later in the afternoon, just for the ride to see what it looked like. Casual dress this evening

MONDAY 26th NOVEMBER
Travelled thro the night to CADIZ, arrived 0800am were followed into port by the SAGA ROSE. nice
sunny day 62 degrees but witha NNE wind. Great sailaway, SAGA ROSE left first, we followed in the
SAGA RUBY, when out in the open sea, we cruised in tandem for an hour or so, and left in our different
directions, with a great deal of noise from both the ships horns. Informal dress this evening.

TUESDAY 27th NOVEMBER
A day at sea heading for EL FERROL IN northern Spain
11.00am going up the coast off Lisbon. spent afternoon sunning ourselves on the Lido Deck, Sea a bit
lumpy ?
Informal dress again this eveing.

WEDNESDAY 28th NOVEMBER
Arrived EL FERROL 0800am. still dark, I forgot to order room service breakfast last night, so it had to be
the dining room.  Shuttle bus into town every 30 minutes.  Went into town-nice place, back to the ship for
lunch. afternoon sunning ourselves for the last time. Captains farewell dinner tonight, Formal Dress,
Baked Alaska Parade after dinner

THURSDAY 29th NOVEMBER
Last day at sea, Force 4 this morning, ship piching a bit.

FRIDAY 30th NOVEMBER
UGH , back to Southampton ona cold and wet morning.Disembarkation was very well organised, waited
about an hour before it was our turn to go. Captain was at the top of the gangway, shaking hands with us
all. luggage found immediaty, was portered to the waiting room for us, and in 5 minutes the car arrived to
takes us home.

This was our 4th cruise, and it was the very best, EVERYTHING WAS EXCELLENT. Going again? You
bet, have booked on the SAGA RUBY for the coming OCTOBER.