Party on the high seas

Oct 31 2008 By Michael O'Flaherty

Be a bit different. Why not plan your Christmas at sea?

If you want to avoid all the usual hassles of preparing for Christmas with family and friends, the gracious way to do it is to wrap your gifts early - then board an elegant liner called Saga Rose to enjoy long, lazy days sailing between exotic ports.

Of course, the usual doubts nagged in my mind. What was it like spending Christmas at sea with 520 strangers?

Would I be able to grab some peace and quiet, should I so wish?

What kind of festivities would there be? Would I be forced to dance or cajoled into joining silly games?

Perhaps 24 leisurely hours in a bright and blazingly sunny Antigua, waiting to catch the ship, had something of a calming effect.

My week on Saga Rose, formerly the Norwegian ship Sagafjord, which first sailed the seas 42 years ago, promised a decidedly trans-Atlantic flavour.

The first scheduled stop was the Azores, followed by Funchal on the island of Madeira - a spectacular setting for tens of thousands of pounds' worth of fireworks on New Year's Eve, which traditionally rival the great displays of the world.

As I boarded the ship, a friendly Filipino steward took my luggage through the reception area, where there was a large Christmas tree. Festive music played softly in the background, and my spacious outside cabin had welcoming gifts of chocolates and flowers. It was a good start.

The ship was bedecked for Christmas: ribbons, streamers, tinsel, fairy lights, artificial snow - all the trappings. In fact, quite appropriately, there were several Christmas trees aboard, all festooned with lights, baubles, crackers and trinkets.

The food, ah the food. A veritable feast at all meals.

For tea on the first day, we had dainty sandwiches - even, like the Ritz, cucumber. Every type of cake imaginable. Warm scones, jam and cream.

I helped myself as frugally as possible, remembering that I shouldn't spoil my appetite for dinner, a top occasion on-board ship where I needed to dress up in evening wear.

As I took tea, my fellow travellers were soon proffering invitations to other tables - an atmosphere of smiling friendliness towards this lone stranger.

My fellow passengers were all, shall we say, of a certain age, because Saga holidays are strictly for the over 50s, although people can take along a relative or friend over 40 as a companion.

I made friends amazingly quickly: this was a friendly ship, imbued with the Christmas spirit.

Some of my fellow passengers had come to escape the pressures of life at home, others had been given the trip as a present from their families.

So how was it for me on this novel venture of a Christmas cruise? I have to say... fantastic.

All my fears were assuaged. Strangers soon became friends. There was a brilliant Christmas atmosphere, probably more so than at home.

I didn't dance. I didn't play silly games. Whenever I needed peace and quiet it was pretty easy to find. But above all, I was never, ever bored!

Travel facts...

Michael O'Flaherty was a guest of Saga Holidays, which offers a choice of Christmas cruises sailing from Southampton this year.

Enquiries and reservations: 0800 056 5880 and visit www.saga.co.uk/travel-shop; brochure request line 0800 015 9607.

On Saga Ruby, a 19-night voyage to the Canaries from December 17 with a lead-in of £2,957 includes Casablanca, Funchal, Lisbon and New Year fireworks in Madeira. It includes insurance/cancellation cover.

'My fellow passengers had come to escape the pressures of life at home'