Spirit of Adventure
Spirit of Adventure is a cruise ship operated by Saga Cruises for travellers aged 50 and over.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Spirit of Adventure is a purpose-built cruise ship operated by Saga Cruises, the United Kingdom-based travel and cruising business associated with Saga plc. Constructed by Meyer Werft at its Papenburg shipyard in Germany, the vessel became Saga’s second new-build ship and the sister vessel to Spirit of Discovery. It was commissioned as part of Saga’s fleet-renewal programme and was intended to replace the older Saga Sapphire in the operator’s fleet. The ship’s development followed a 2015 agreement between Saga and Meyer Werft covering a new ship and an option for a second vessel. Saga confirmed the option in September 2017, naming the second ship Spirit of Adventure. The decision reflected strong demand for Spirit of Discovery and improved profitability in Saga’s travel business. Construction formally began with steel cutting in March 2019, followed by keel laying on 3 June 2019. The ship was delivered in Emden on 29 September 2020 after construction and outfitting delays linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spirit of Adventure was designed for Saga’s adults-only market model, which focuses on guests aged 50 and over. Its voyages are sold on an all-inclusive basis, with fares generally covering beverages, gratuities, specialty dining, room service, internet access and local chauffeur services to the port. The ship has 554 all-balcony cabins and accommodates up to 999 passengers. Although its principal dimensions and engineering platform are closely aligned with Spirit of Discovery, Saga commissioned a separate interior-design approach so that the vessel would have a distinct visual identity, accommodation mix, restaurant offering and lounge layout. The vessel measures approximately 58,250 gross tons, is 236 metres long and 31.2 metres wide. Its propulsion and power-distribution systems use Siemens SISHIP SiPOD technology. Four nine-cylinder MAN 32/44 common-rail engines provide a combined output of approximately 21,600 kilowatts. Selective catalytic reduction equipment supports emissions control, while a centralised heating-water system is intended to improve waste-heat recovery and reduce energy use. The ship’s launch timetable was repeatedly revised during the pandemic. Its planned August 2020 christening and inaugural programme were postponed after restrictions affected Meyer Werft’s workforce and travel arrangements. A later proposed Mediterranean maiden voyage was also deferred, and Saga eventually opened bookings for a revised debut season in March 2021. Spirit of Adventure was christened at Portsmouth International Port on 19 July 2021 by Inga Kennedy, a nurse and senior Royal Navy officer. It entered passenger service on 26 July 2021 with a 15-night voyage around the British Isles. Spirit of Adventure is therefore best understood as a single-vessel cruise brand and fleet product rather than an independent cruise company. Its market proposition combines smaller-ship cruising, balcony accommodation, an older-adult target audience and a bundled all-inclusive service model. The ship continues to operate under the Saga Cruises name across itineraries centred on the United Kingdom, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
History
Spirit of Adventure originated in Saga Cruises’ programme to renew its fleet with purpose-built ships. On 30 September 2015, Saga announced an agreement with Meyer Werft for a new cruise ship, together with an option for a second vessel. The first ship became Spirit of Discovery, while the option was ultimately confirmed as Spirit of Adventure. Saga announced the second order on 22 September 2017, citing demand for Spirit of Discovery and stronger profitability in its travel business. The new vessel was planned to support the replacement of older tonnage, including Saga Sapphire, whose sale was completed in June 2020. Meyer Werft began construction with a steel-cutting ceremony on 27 March 2019. The keel was laid on 3 June 2019, with a coin bearing the ship’s name, keel-laying date and yard number 715 placed beneath the first of 54 keel blocks. By January 2020, major integrated sections, including the bow and cabin blocks, had been assembled. The vessel was moved into a wet dock in late March for outfitting and floated out of the construction hall on 24 July after its propellers had been installed. Its funnel was fitted after the float-out, followed by final outfitting, an Ems conveyance to Emden on 30 August and sea trials in the North Sea during September. The construction schedule was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Saga had originally expected delivery in July 2020 and planned a Portsmouth christening for 19 August. On 29 May 2020, however, the company announced that delivery and the planned August debut would be postponed because restrictions had significantly affected Meyer Werft’s work and travel arrangements. The ship was delivered in Emden on 29 September 2020. Its proposed preview sailing and initial passenger itineraries were successively revised. A 17-night Baltic cruise originally scheduled for August 2020 was replaced by a proposed Mediterranean voyage, and the inaugural programme was later moved to May 2021 before being postponed again. Saga opened bookings for the revised debut season in March 2021. Spirit of Adventure was christened at Portsmouth International Port on 19 July 2021 by Inga Kennedy. It entered service on 26 July 2021 with a 15-night voyage around the British Isles. The ship shares its basic dimensions and technical platform with Spirit of Discovery but was deliberately given a different interior identity. Saga commissioned a separate design approach incorporating changed décor, accommodation variations, dining venues and lounge arrangements. Both ships serve Saga’s model for guests aged 50 and over and offer an all-inclusive fare covering selected beverages, gratuities, specialty dining, room service, internet access and local chauffeur services to the port. Spirit of Adventure is approximately 58,250 gross tons, 236 metres long and 31.2 metres wide. It has 554 cabins, all with balconies, and capacity for up to 999 guests. Its propulsion and power-distribution systems use Siemens SISHIP SiPOD equipment, while four MAN engines provide a combined output of about 21,600 kilowatts. Selective catalytic reduction and a centralised heating-water system are incorporated into the ship’s environmental and energy-efficiency systems.
- 2021
Christening and inaugural voyage
[1]The ship was christened in Portsmouth on 19 July and began passenger service on 26 July with a British Isles voyage.
- 2020
Ship delivered after pandemic-related delays
[1]Spirit of Adventure was delivered in Emden on 29 September after construction delays caused by pandemic restrictions.
- 2019
Steel cutting and keel laying
[1]Steel cutting took place in March, followed by keel laying at Meyer Werft on 3 June.
- 2017
Second new-build confirmed and named
[1]Saga confirmed the second new-build order and announced the name Spirit of Adventure.
- 2015
Saga signs agreement for a new-build ship and option
[1]Saga announced an agreement with Meyer Werft covering a new cruise ship and an option for a second vessel.
Products and positioning
A premium, adults-focused cruise experience for travellers aged 50 and over, combining smaller-ship scale, all-balcony accommodation and an all-inclusive fare structure.
Cruise service · 2021
Spirit of Adventure cruise voyages
The ship provides Saga Cruises’ all-inclusive ocean-cruise service for guests aged 50 and over. Voyages include accommodation, onboard dining and entertainment, with the fare model also covering selected beverages, gratuities, specialty dining, room service, internet access and chauffeur services to the port. Itineraries have included the British Isles, Northern Europe, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.
Cruise accommodation · 2021
Balcony accommodation
Spirit of Adventure has 554 passenger cabins, each with a balcony, supporting Saga’s premium positioning and emphasis on private outdoor space. The accommodation range was developed with variations from the sister ship’s layout and forms part of the vessel’s differentiated interior concept.
Brand decisions
2020
Inaugural programme postponed during the COVID-19 pandemicStrategyBackground
Pandemic-related work and travel restrictions disrupted Meyer Werft’s construction schedule and international cruise operations.
Action taken
Saga postponed delivery, the planned Portsmouth christening and the ship’s initial preview and passenger sailings.
Aftermath
The ship was delivered in September 2020 but did not enter passenger service until July 2021.
2017
Saga exercises option for a second new-build cruise shipProduct launchBackground
Saga’s decision followed strong demand for Spirit of Discovery and improved profitability in its travel business.
Action taken
The company confirmed the second Meyer Werft new-build and named it Spirit of Adventure.
Aftermath
The ship became the second new-build vessel in Saga’s fleet-renewal programme and later replaced Saga Sapphire in the fleet.
Recent events
- 2021
Spirit of Adventure christened at Portsmouth[1]
Product launch
The ship was christened at Portsmouth International Port on 19 July by Inga Kennedy, a nurse and senior Royal Navy officer.
- 2021
Spirit of Adventure enters passenger service[1]
Product launch
The ship officially began operations on 26 July with a 15-night inaugural voyage around the British Isles.
- 2020
Spirit of Adventure delivery and debut postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic[1]
Other
Saga postponed the ship’s planned delivery, christening and initial cruises after pandemic-related work and travel restrictions disrupted construction and shipyard operations.
- 2020
Spirit of Adventure delivered at Emden[1]
Product launch
The completed vessel was delivered to Saga on 29 September after sea trials and final outfitting.
- 2019
Construction begins on Spirit of Adventure[1]
Product launch
Meyer Werft held the steel-cutting ceremony for the ship at its Papenburg facility, marking the start of physical construction.
- 2017
Saga confirms Spirit of Adventure as its second new-build ship[1]
Product launch
Saga confirmed the exercise of its option with Meyer Werft for a second new-build cruise ship and announced the name Spirit of Adventure.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/spirit-of-adventure · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled