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Saga Ruby was originally built as the Norwegian America Line’s Vistafjord. This company had been founded in 1910 to carry cargo and Norwegian emigrants to America. After the Second World War, NAL built the Olofjord and Bergensfjord to be used for the tourist trade between Norway and America. Their next ship Sagafjord entered service in 1965 and their final vessel Vistafjord followed eight years later. The companies largest ever ship Vistafjord set out on her maiden voyage from Oslo - New York May 22nd 1973. After completing that voyage, NAL operated her as a full time cruise ship with worldwide itinerary's.

Norwegian American Cruises bought Vistafjord and Sagafjord in 1980. Three years later, they sold both ships to Cunard. The completion of a major refit at Liverpool in 1999 saw Vistafjord re-enter service under the name Caronia. She now has 2 pools, 4 bars, casino, fitness center, 600-seat ballroom, 385 outside cabins, 57 inside cabins, can carry 675 passengers and a crew of 379. Caronia was operated out of Southampton/England during the summer to destinations such as Scotland, Iceland, Norway, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea and various African ports. She was based at Barbados in winter with her main routes being to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, South America and North America.

After the Carnival Cruise Line bought Cunard in 1998, they ordered a 150,000-ton cruise liner to join Cunard's two remaining ships, Caronia and QE2. This new ship entered service in 2003 under the name Queen Mary 2.

The British based Saga Holidays bought Sagafjord in 1996 to be operated on cruises out of Dover and Southampton - Mediterranean, Iberia and Canary Islands, Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, & the Caribbean & South America under the name Saga Rose.

In 2005, Saga Holidays bought Caronia to be operated alongside her sister ship under the name Saga Ruby. She underwent a £17 million refit before cruising the same routes as her sister ship.

Both Saga Rose and Saga Ruby are operated exclusively for passengers over the age of 50 (and a minimum age of 40 applies for all traveling companions).

Website: www.saga.co.uk/travel.