Saga announce their river cruises will go all-inclusive in 2023

Saga announce their new “Spirit” River cruises will be all-inclusive from 2023.

In a move that brings the river cruise experience more inline with their ocean offering, Saga today announced major new benefits for their two new ships Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine, for the 2023 season.

As 2023 itineraries were released, the travel specialist has also announced that both ships will become all-inclusive, so all meals and drinks will now be covered including in the intimate, speciality restaurants.

More inline with ocean cruises…

The change comes as part of a range of updates that will align the customer experience more closely to that of Saga’s ocean cruise proposition. They are in addition to Sagas already excellent inclusions such as the complimentary door-to-door chauffeur service, travel insurance with up to £5m covid-cover, and included excursions. At least three sight-seeing excursions are included on all seven-night cruises and up to eight on longer cruises and gratuities.

Other new benefits also include the option to book back-to-back cruises. This will be clearly marketed as such and guests selecting them will receive a further ten per cent off their booking. This is in addition to the introduction of a simpler pricing model that means early bookers are rewarded with discounts of up to 25 per cent off the full price. If, for any reason, the price should be reduced after a guest books, Saga will automatically give them the difference back as part of its price promise.

Solo cruisers not forgotten…

Each cruise will also guarantee a proportion of dedicated cabins for solo travellers, although travellers should book early to secure them as they are always very popular.

Guests can also feel reassured that everyone on board is required to have both vaccines and a booster and covid safe protocols continue to be observed.

Nigel Blanks promises ‘exceptional service’…

Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises, said: “We know our guests want an exceptional experience and real value for money so the ‘Spirit’ river cruises will move to all-inclusive from 2023, and we’re introducing back-to-back itineraries with 10% off and discounts starting from 25% off in response to their feedback. These are in addition to the complimentary chauffeur service, travel insurance and a range of included excursions we already offer.

“We’ve got a lovely line-up of itineraries too, with plenty of new cruise options on-board the brand-new Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine along with some firm favourites.

All of this is in addition to an exciting line-up of cruises with itineraries ranging from between seven and 16-nights across the two brand-new ‘Spirit’ ships, which only had their official naming ceremony last month.

Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube build on Saga’s boutique design philosophy of its ocean-going vessels, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, and offer a luxury cruise experience for customers on Europe’s famous riverways.

Saga will be introducing four new owned river ships between 2023 and 2026 (one per year), emphasising the growing popularity of river cruising.

The Golden Age of Art on the Rhine where guests will cruise the Dutch waterways stopping to view iconic artwork in the world-renowned galleries of Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. Seven nights on board Spirit of the Rhine, departing May 8, 2023 starts from £1,241 per person.

Art on the Danube takes in Budapest’s Hungarian National Gallery, the Danubiana Meulensteen Museum, Bratislava’s City Gallery and a plethora of galleries in Vienna. The eight-night art-themed river cruise departs on October 27, 2023 on Spirit of the Danube with prices starting from £1,499 per person.

Autumn Colours of the Danube is a beautiful ten-night journey on Spirit of the Danube taking in the seasonal scenery along the famous river, with stops in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. Prices start from £1,574 per person, departing on November 11, 2023.

To book guests can visit saga.co.uk or call 0808 258 2031.

To book guests can visit saga.co.uk or call 0808 258 2031.

We were really interested in this change of direction for River Cruising – great to see it coming inline with the experience on Sagas lovely ‘Spirit” Ocean ships.

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