Saga and the shipbuilding team at Meyer Werft, Germany have completed the conveyance of Spirit of Discovery from the Papenburg shipyard along the River Ems to the open sea.
Spirit of Discovery, the cruise ship built for the British market, left Papenburg before passing through the River Ems sea lock, marking the official start of her journey towards her home port of Dover, England.
Following departure, it was towed along the River Ems, from Papenburg to Emden, passing Friesenbru?cke (Weener) and the Jann Berghaus bridge (Leer), before arriving at the River Ems barrier and passing through to arrive at Emden sea lock.
It will now undergo technical and nautical sea trials until mid-June. Saga will take official delivery of the ship on June 20 before it arrives in Dover prior to the official naming ceremony, on July 5. Spirit of Discovery will sail from Dover on her inaugural cruise ?A British First?, on July 10.
Nigel Blanks, COO for the cruise line, said: ?Our major milestones for Saga Cruises and Spirit of Discovery are now coming thick and fast and it is amazing to see her complete her conveyance towards the North Sea. This ongoing journey sees everyone at Saga Cruises pioneering the future of British boutique cruising, creating a host of unique, new experiences, both ashore and at sea, and providing a fresh new concept in the global cruising market. Our thanks go to the impeccable team at Meyer Werft for all their ongoing work on our iconic, stunning new ship.?
Spirit of Discovery will sail with a maximum of 999 guests and with 523 crew around the world.
