Pearl's final months

by **khkate** » 14 Jan 2019 15:54

Now that we are into 2019, Saga Pearl just has a few more months of being in service as a cruise ship with Saga - just 3 more cruises after her current one. Sadly, still now news (as far as I am aware) on what her destiny is. We will be boarding her soon for the last chance to cruise on her.

Her farewell voyage has been almost sold out - but today, we got a brochure in the post indicating there had been several cancellations. Looking online, there are almost 40 cabins available - but the starting price is probably making it unaffordable for many, especially as many will be concentrating on saving to travel on the new ship that launches later this year. What a shamer that they still don't appear to offer it as a fly-cruise option - cruise to South Africa and fly home, or vice versa. However, it is too close to departure date now for us to consider any options - although to cruise to/from south Africa is very much on my wish list.

by **Camela** » 14 Jan 2019 17:07

Sad when an era comes to an end. We've just seen The Searchers on their farewell tour. Enjoy your cruise kh, I really must go to South Africa.

by **judgegeoff** » 14 Jan 2019 19:02

Camela wrote:Sad when an era comes to an end. We've just seen The Searchers on their farewell tour. Enjoy your cruise kh, I really must go to South Africa.

MSC have a ship that operates from South Africa in the European winter (the RSA summer) but returns to Europe for the European summer. The "MSC Musica" sails from Durban to Venice in April 2019 and the "MSC Orchestra" sails from Genoa to Durban in October 2019. The Venice bound itinerary is very interesting :-

26th April - Departs Durban
30th April - Reunion
1st May - Mauritius
4th May - Seychelles (overnight)
5th May - Seychelles
13th May - Aqaba
14th May - Transit Suez canal
15th May - Transit Suez canal
17th May - Katacolon
18th May - Kotor
19th May - Split
20th May - Venice (24 nights)

The October 2019 cruise itinerary is :- Genoa, Civitvecchia, Chania, Eilat, Aqaba, Suez Canal, Salalah, Maldives, Seychelles (overnight), Mauritius (overnight), Reunion and Durban (29 nights).

Chris and I did the April 2015 Cape Town to Venice cruise on board the "MSC Opera" but it took the western route past Africa which is not as interesting as the eastern route (although we did get to visit St. Helena).

These cruises are often heavily discounted and can be combined with a holiday in South Africa. We love South Africa and have been many times and can heartily recommend it as a holiday destination.

Sorry to go off topic a little.

by **Camela** » 15 Jan 2019 16:31

And that one would tick the Suez Canal box!

by **khkate** » 17 Jan 2019 15:10

We saw one of the MSC ships departing Cape Town when we were there 2 years ago. The only aspect of those cruises that deters us is the "fly" bit. Fred O occasionally do a cruise to that area - but never at a time that suits us as we always seem to have some other cruise that clashes. However, never say never - we hope to do it one day!

by **Carwalsick** » 14 Apr 2019 12:52

Now that Pearl has finished her final cruise, has anyone picked up any Intel as to what is to become of her? I understand that she was moved to Portland.

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by **Carwalsick** » 21 Apr 2019 09:06

Currently en route to Gibraltar after repairs in Portland. Rumoured to have been bought by a Greek line.

by **ksturman** » 23 Apr 2019 18:43

Pearl 2 missed out Gibraltar and refuelled of Ceuta. Destination is now shown as Piraeus arriving 29th April. It looks as though the assumption of a Greek purchaser may be correct

by **ksturman** » 23 Apr 2019 20:29

Further to my recent post I have found this on the internet

19/04/19 - Saga Pearl II Cruise Ship - SOLD

Saga Pearl II in 2019 will be replaced by the Spirit of Discovery, Saga's first new build. For her last voyage Saga Pearl II sailed from Portsmouth (UK) on 16 February 2019 for a 54-day cruise to South Africa returning to the UK
The luxurious ship has now changed its name to Pearl II and was purchased by Aqua Explorer Holdings based in the British Virgin Islands> She is presently docked in Weymouth, UK

The asking price was Euro 7,500,000

by **khkate** » 01 May 2019 09:18

Pearl 2 has finally arrived in Piraeus, Greece yesterday morning. Her future is still unknown although a source within Saga did say she had been bought by a company that doesn't currently operate as a cruise line and that they are hoping to continue using her as such! Where she is docked in Piraeus is by a ship repairer, so there is hope that there is truth in all of this. however, her voyage from UK to Greece was filled with much secrecy. She was shown as going to Gibraltar, but as already mentioned on earlier posts, she anchored outside Ceuta and was refuelled there. She then set off for Greece, but for some reason she turned round and was shown as destined for Gibraltar"awaiting orders". After a couple of days she turned again. and finally arrived at her current location. Here's hoping she does continue as a cruise ship - after all its a shame that Voyages of Antiquity can't use her - they have had to cancel three months of cruises on Aegean Odyssey due to an issue with an engine. requiring urgent and prolonged repairs.