News & Media
12th July 2019
PORT OF TYNE TO WELCOME SAGA’S SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY ON HER MAIDEN VOYAGE
Port of Tyne welcomes Spirit of Discovery on her maiden voyage.
The Port of Tyne is set to welcome almost 1,000 visiting passengers and over 500 crew on-board Spirit of Discovery as she embarks upon her maiden voyage.
Due to arrive at 8am on Friday 12 July, Spirit of Discovery, will berth at Northumbrian Quay in North Shields.
In-bound from Dover, the Port of Tyne is Spirit of Discovery’s first port of call on her 13-night maiden cruise showcasing the best of Britain. Passengers will disembark the Port of Tyne’s International Passenger Terminal to explore all that the North East has to offer, including shore excursions to Bamburgh, Durham, Hadrian’s Wall, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and Newcastle – all within easy reach of the Port.
Sven Richards, Operations Manager, Vessels at the Port of Tyne, said: “We are delighted to welcome Spirit of Discovery on her maiden voyage, and proud that the Port of Tyne will be her first port of call.
“We hope that visiting passengers enjoy their day, taking advantage of all that the region has to offer — right here from the Port of Tyne!”
Nigel Blanks, COO, Saga Cruises, said: “We are excited to welcome our first guests on-board Spirit of Discovery on her maiden cruise. Showcasing the best of Britain, the Port of Tyne, the gateway to the North East, is our very first call.
“From here our guests will have the opportunity to see the best the North East has to offer, from castles and cathedrals to breweries and museums, and we can’t wait to explore.”
Launched last Friday and named by the Duchess of Cornwall, the 236m long £346millon Spirit of Discovery has been designed to surprise all expectations of a distinctly British cruise experience.
Inspired by the world’s finest boutique hotels, Spirit of Discovery offers plenty of space for relaxation across 10 passenger decks. On-board, there are 554 cabins, each with their own private balcony, five restaurants, two pools, a luxury Spa, beauty salon, theatre and library.
In 2019, the Port of Tyne is set to welcome 59 cruise calls, as well as marking 20 years since welcoming its first cruise call on August.
