The line laid the keel of the 999-passenger vessel, the first of two, during a ceremony at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany today (June 28).
Spirit of Discovery will be delivered in Bremerhaven on June 20, 2019 and all of its cabins will feature a balcony, 107 of which will be single cabins specifically designed using guest feedback.
As part of maritime tradition, a commemorative coin stamped with the ship’s name, keel-laying date and the lettering S714 – denoting the identification marker for the ship during its build and until it is formally handed over by Meyer Werft to Saga - was placed under the first block in the dry dock where a total of 54 blocks will be used to create the 58,250-gross-ton ship.
Sir Sebastian Wood, British ambassador to Germany, was the guest of honour at the ceremony and helped mark the occasion alongside Lance Batchelor, Saga Group chief executive and Tim Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft.
Batchelor said the keel-laying heralded “an exciting milestone” for Saga Cruises.
“This marks a key stage in the construction of our first ever new-build cruise ship. Our decision to bring two new boutique cruise ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, to the market by 2020 is in response to overwhelming customer demand. It will be truly transformational for our business,” he said.
“Both ships have been designed to epitomise Saga’s unique British boutique cruising concept and are the only small, new, luxury ships to be built for the British market.”
Wood said Spirit of Discovery would be the product of “a very special collaboration" between the UK and Germany.
“This partnership is born out of a passion for quality and excellence. It is a partnership of two proud companies – one British, one German - with enviable histories, that have come together to create a new ship that will push the boundaries for small-ship style and luxury.”
Earlier this month Saga revealed that pianist Jools Holland will perform gigs onboard Spirit of Discovery and become the face of a new restaurant and bar venue, The Club by Jools.
Nigel Blanks, chief operating officer for Saga Cruises said the line would continue to reveal “exciting features” of the ship including interior design, entertainment, onboard artwork and dining venues.
