Record breaking Saga Rose kicks off busy cruise season for Portsmouth
Tue 20th Oct 2009
Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port was today visited by the impressive Saga Rose cruise liner which was finishing its 44th, and final, world cruise, breaking the record for the number of round the world cruises completed by a passenger ship.
The elegantly furnished vessel gives its 574 passengers a luxury cruise experience offering lavish rooms, restaurants, a ballroom, cinema and fitness facilities. During her most recent 104-day voyage, the Saga Rose called at 39 ports securing her position in the record books. Finishing her 44th world cruise, a round-the-world trip for each of her 44 years, the Saga Rose beats the recently retired QE2 which completed 25 world cruises. Rupert Taylor, Portsmouth Harbour Master, comments: “We have an exciting cruise season coming up this year, and welcoming the Saga Rose back from her record-breaking round the world cruise is a great way for it to commence. We have also secured eight visits from Fred Olsen’s Boudicca this season, showing fantastic growth for our cruise business. The cruises are of great value to the city’s tourism industry, as passengers visit the local tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants.” Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port is hosting 22 cruise calls during the 2009 season, doubling the number of ships which visited in 2008. Portsmouth offers many benefits as a cruise departure port; it has excellent access by road and rail, and the motorway network just outside the port gates can quickly deliver passengers to regional and national airports. Strategically placed on the South Coast, Portsmouth is ideal for cruise ship tourists, and turnaround calls, allowing them a quick entry and departure on their route to and from continental ports and the western Channel. Following its final world cruise, the Saga Rose will continue on shorter voyages around the Mediterranean and the Baltic and will retire after completing its final cruise in October 2009.