Saga Rose is seen here docked in Circular Quay on 22nd February 2008. She is being refueled by the local oiler Amorena.
A little history: The Saga Rose started life in 1965 as the Sagafjord for the Norwegian America Line. She was designed as a dual purpose ship to perform both, transatlantic crossings as well as international cruises. In 1983 the company was acquired by Cunard Liner and her funnel was repainted in the distinctive red and black colours. In 1997 she was sold to Saga Cruises and repainted in their majestic colours. She has operated largely unchanged apart from reconditioning of her interiors and an extra day of cabins atop the bridge, otherwise she has retained the classic ocean liner look and feel throughout her career and this no doubt contributed to her enduring success and charm. Unfortunately the mandate of maritime security must be adhered to and with new SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulations in place for 2010 the ship was required to either be completely reconditioned or retired and at the grand old age of 35 it was decided to do the latter.
A close up shot of the Saga Rose towering over the tiny Amorena.
In a world dominated by cruise ships that look more and more like ocean going hotel buildings, the Saga Rose reminds us that maritime architecture used to be a fine art.
An officer makes an observation atop cabins which were added to the ship in 1980, they have altered her profile but not ruined it, something the architects who modified the Veendam did not appreciate! See here: http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1073729
Every feature of the Saga Rose has been sculpted with style and the funnel even has the original Norwegian America Line stripes.
New cruise ships possess either a duck-tail or a squared off stern, the latter gives the impression that the architect ran out of paper or monitor space to finish their design. The hull lines of the Saga Rose evoke a much earlier period when the beauty of a ship was judged less by the verticals and horizontals but by her proportions and sheer. The extreme stern of the Saga Rose exhibits the classic liner profile that is all but lost.
On 26 February 2009 Sydney's attention was turned on to another ship - the arrival of the massive Queen Mary 2. At 10 am, the Saga Rose quietly docked for the last time.
February 27 2009 - the last morning in Sydney.
The following series of photos follow the Saga Rose's departure from Sydney in 2008. In the following year she departed at midnight but these shots give an idea of how a fine ship makes her exit with grace and elegance.
Lacking the thrusters of todays mega cruise ships, the Saga Rose needed the guiding services of two tugs to escort her through the bends in the harbour.
A close up of the Saga Rose as she rounds past the Opera House and about to turn to port to exit the harbour.
The memories of the past sail by while the present generations race on without regard, thought or contemplation...
A last glance... Vale Saga Rose
