Panorama Restaurant

Delta Restaurant

Lobby

The elegant lobby features a stunning mosaic representing the river and the places of interest that run along it created by artist Ann Bubis.

Sun Deck

The large sun deck at the top of the ship is the perfect place to relax as you glide from one riverside gem to another. Admire the ever-changing view from a sun lounger or even from the Splash Pool and enjoy waiter-served drinks and deck games.

The Belvedere Lounge

The Belvedere Lounge offers a light, sociable space where you can relax and watch the passing scenery through panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Gym

Located on the Lower Deck

Explore Ashore on a River Cruise

Making the most of your time ashore

One of the greatest joys of boutique cruising is waking up and watching new destinations come into view from the comfort of your own private balcony. But what happens when you step ashore? We offer a wealth of ways to explore, tailored to a variety of interests and different activity levels.

From scenic panoramic tours and guided excursions on foot, to included visits to nearby attractions, our expertly curated excursions ensure you experience each destination in a way that suits you.

Excursions included on every cruise

Our 2026 cruises will include an excursion in every port you visit, and in selected ports there will be a choice of included excursion, from which you can choose one. This will allow everyone the opportunity to go ashore, and to get the perfect introduction to the places you are visiting.

Optional cruise excursions

If you want something more in-depth, we offer a wider selection of optional tours in every port – designed by our team of destination experts. Explore Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon by Tuk Tuk. Go kayaking across Norway’s beautiful fjords. Or spot whales and other marine life on a cruise off the coast of Iceland. There’s something for everyone.

Food and wine enthusiasts can indulge in visits to vineyards, tours of Moroccan souks and hands on cooking classes, for those interested in history you can step back in time with visits to famous museums, ancient ruins, medieval castles and UNESCO-listed sites. Seeking a thrill? Join an off-road jeep safari, zip line through rainforests or enjoy a helicopter ride over dramatic coastlines.

We will send you all the details around three months before you sail, so you can pre-book and make the most of your time ashore.

Tailor your cruise excursions…

Create a bespoke excursion – We also have a dedicated Explore Ashore team on board. They can help you to create a bespoke excursion or private tour, tailored to exactly how you want it. Visit the Explore Ashore desk on board, and our travel experts will help you put together your perfect personalised trip.

Rather go your own way? – We also include complimentary bus transfers from the ship into the nearest town centre. So grab a map, then set off to explore your way. The Explore Ashore desk can also help with the best local attractions, opening times, and everything else you need to get the most out of your time ashore.

E-bikes

Borrow a Saga e-bike

Now available on all cruises! Guests can use our ships’ brand-new e-bikes free of charge. It’s a fun new way to explore. Set off on your own, or join an organised bike ride with other guests. You only need to pedal gently, and the bike’s 250-watt motor will make your cycling trip almost effortless.

Accessibility and Support

If you have a physical disability or are undergoing medical treatment you must let us know in advance and we will be able to tell you if the ship is equipped to meet your needs. Failure to inform us could result in denied boarding.

River cruises operate with a smaller crew than ocean cruises and do not have the crew available to provide assistance onboard.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Carriage of passengers up and down gangways
• Assisting guests with movement around the ship
• Any level of personal care
• Assistance in an emergency
• Guardian services or emotional support

Accessibility ashore – We don’t allow wheelchairs, walkers or scooters on our river cruises.

Points of interest may be over a mile away from where the ship is docked and many of the cities visited on our river cruises are historic, featuring cobblestone walkways, steep steps, high curbs, and uneven paths, which may present difficulties if you have mobility restrictions.

It is important to remember that the local infrastructure in some of the places visited may not meet the same standards of the UK. Please speak with one of our cruise consultants to see if a Saga river cruise is right for you.

Hearing and visual impairment – Although not a requirement, it is recommended that a blind or visually impaired guest travels with a fare paying companion. This recommendation is made purely on the basis of personal safety.

In the unlikely event of an emergency on board, a travelling companion will greatly aid your timely relocation to your allocated muster station, as our crew are unable to offer assistance.

If you need to notify us of any specific requirements, please do so at the time of booking. If you have already booked, please make sure you notify us no later than 48 hours before departure by calling us free on 0800 373 034.

Assistance dogs – Regrettably, we are unable to accept assistance dogs on board our river cruise ships.

If you need to travel with an assistance dog, our ocean cruises might be a more suitable choice.

Oxygen – You must notify us at the time of booking if you require the use of oxygen on board and should speak to one of our advisors about the suitability of the holiday for you.

This is required in order to check whether your type of oxygen can be carried and, if so, to make the necessary preparations before the oxygen is brought on board. Also, the ship will have limited storage capacity so notice is required for us to check if this will be available.

Please note, liquid oxygen is not permitted.

You will be responsible for providing any supplies or equipment needed. You also need to be able to administer the oxygen yourself or you will need to travel with a fare paying companion capable of performing this function.

Please note that for safety reasons, we can only allow one oxygen canister on board at any one time. Therefore, please contact us to check availability before you book.

Dialysis patients – Regrettably, we are unable to accommodate Dialysis patients on aboard our river cruise ships, if you require peritoneal dialysis, our ocean cruises might be a more suitable choice.

Mobility aids

If you have mobility issues and cannot climb up and down three flights of steep stairs and walk at least the length of the ship (up to 200m) unaided, then a River Cruise is not suitable for you.

If your mobility changes in the future and you become unable to do this, then you must tell us. The captain reserves the right to deny boarding in the interests of safety.

Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers – Wheelchairs, walkers and mobility scooters cannot be used onboard our river cruise ships.

If you need the use of a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to mobility restrictions please speak to an advisor regarding suitability of the holiday as these items cannot be stored onboard.

Dress Code

A big part of the cruising experience is what to wear and we know how important it is for many of our guests. During the day we advise casual wear, with the evening dress code starting from 6pm.

Ladies generally choose to wear a smart dress or an elegant blouse or top with trousers or skirt. Gentlemen can wear a smart open neck shirt and trousers. A jacket is optional, and we would ask that polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts and denim are kept for casual wear during the day.

You are welcome to dress up for the welcome drinks reception and Captain’s dinner.

Smoking Policy

The smoking area varies on our river cruise ships, so please ask one of our onboard team.

There’s no smoking anywhere else on board, including on cabin balconies.

Wi-Fi

All our ships have free Wi-Fi. Although it can sometimes be a bit patchy because of the nature of river cruising.

Age Restrictions

Our river cruises are exclusively for over-50s. You can travel with a companion who is over 40 though.

Special Dietary Requirements

The ship will be made aware of any dietary requirements if stated at the time of booking and will do all they can to accommodate these.

If you have forgotten to tell us, then please call 0800 506 066 and one of our guest advisors can add this to your booking.

It is also a good idea to mention this to your Saga Cruise Director when you board and they will try to arrange alternative dishes wherever possible.

There will always be a vegetarian options available.

Medical Facilities

There are no medical facilities on our river cruise ships but there will be a trained first aider on board. If needed, shoreside medical services can be called. Response times will vary based on location.

Laundry Service

There is a limited laundry service available for an additional charge, but there are no ironing or dry-cleaning services on board.

Drinks Packages

All-inclusive local drinks including selected wines at lunch and dinner, house-branded spirits with mixers or cocktails, draught larger and soft drinks.

The bar is open from 0900 to midnight on Spirit of the Rhine, Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Moselle and 1100-2300 on Spirit of the Douro.

Complimentary tea and coffee onboard.