Blue Sapphire (ship)
Blue Sapphire as Saga Sapphire in Kiel, 2018
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History | |
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Name |
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Owner |
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Operator |
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Port of registry | |
Builder | |
Cost | US$120 million[2] |
Yard number | 1001[1] |
Laid down | April 1980 |
Launched | 22 December 1980[1] |
Completed | 1981[1] |
Acquired | 5 December 1981[1] |
Maiden voyage | 8 January 1982[1] |
In service | 8 January 1982[1]-present |
Identification |
|
Status | In service |
General characteristics (as built)[1] | |
Type | Cruise ship |
Tonnage | 37,049 GT;[5] 5,168 DWT |
Length | 199.63 m (654.95 ft) |
Beam | 28.55 m (93.67 ft) |
Draught | 8.30 m (27.23 ft) |
Decks | 12[4] |
Installed power |
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Speed | 21 knots (39 km/h) |
Capacity | 600 passengers[2] |
General characteristics (as Bleu de France)[4] | |
Type | Cruise ship |
Tonnage | 37,301 GRT |
Decks | 12 (10 passenger accessible) |
Speed | 19 kn (35 km/h) |
Capacity |
|
Crew | 406 |
Blue Sapphire is a
Concept and construction
Since its formation in 1970,
The order for the new Europa was placed with the Bremer Vulkan shipyard in Bremen, the home city of North German Lloyd. The ship was launched on 22 December 1980, and delivered to her owners on 5 December 1981.[1]
Although Hapag-Lloyd originally considered a traditional two-funnel design for the fourth Europa,
For the interior of the ship, Hapag-Lloyd decided to adapt a design previously used in cruiseferries such as Svea Corona of 1975 and Finnjet of 1977, with the interiors divided vertically. Cabins are located to the front of the ship, furthest away from engine noise, while public spaces and various storages—where engine noise is not as big of an issue as in cabins—are located at the stern of the ship, above the engines. Most of the public spaces were built with higher than standard ceiling height.[2][9]
Each cabin on the ship was completely pre-fabricated, with complete furnishing and soundproofing, and individually installed on board the ship.[9] The ship was originally built with spacious cabins, all of which include illuminated closets, colour television and a VCR, with many cabins equipped with a bathtub. In 1999, a refit added six suites in the place of former officers' cabins, while six balconies were added to the existing suites under the bridge wings.[2] During a 2011-12 refit, a small number of balcony cabins were created aft, while a considerable number of existing midships cabins were fitted with small French balconies.[citation needed]
The last iteration of the ship featured public spaces including a main restaurant spanning the entire width of the ship, a show lounge, two further dining facilities and several bars. There is one outdoor swimming pool situated amidships (the astern outdoor pool was removed) and also a large indoor swimming pool.[2][9][4]
Service history
Hapag-Lloyd
Europa left on her maiden voyage from Genoa on 8 January 1982, to destinations in Africa. Subsequently, she was used for luxury cruising all over the world, including on the Amazon River.[1][9] On 3 August 1985, Europa ran aground off the coast of Greenland. She was refloated three days later.[11]
On 30 April 1992, Europa collided with the Greece-registered container ship Inchon Glory outside Hong Kong. No passengers on board Europa were injured. Initially she was towed to Kaohsiung, where passengers were evacuated. Subsequently, the ship was towed to Singapore for repairs. After lengthy repairs, Europa re-entered service on 7 July 1992.[1]
In the mid-1990s, Hapag-Lloyd decided to order a replacement for Europa (again, also named Europa).[12] In preparation for delivery of the new Europa, the 1981 Europa was sold to Star Cruises on 5 April 1998, but was chartered back to Hapag-Lloyd until 30 June 1999.[1]
Star Cruises
In March 2001, Star Cruises announced that SuperStar Aries would be transferred to the fleet of their subsidiary,
Pullmantur Cruises
Pullmantur Cruises renamed the ship Holiday Dream and primarily used her for cruises aimed at a Spanish-speaking clientele.[1][2] She regularly operated cruises in the Caribbean.
Croisières de France
In September 2007,
Following the refit, the vessel was renamed Bleu de France and entered service as the first ship of the Croisières de France brand.
Saga Cruises
British-based Saga Cruises acquired Bleu de France in 2011, after the vessel completed two seasons of cruising for the Brazilian cruise operator CVC.[16]
The ship, now renamed Saga Sapphire,[17] received an extensive refit at Fincantieri between November 2011 and March 2012 before joining the Saga fleet. Work included refurbishing the interior, creating new cabins (including additional balcony accommodation to her superstructure), an overhaul of the machinery, and repainting and maintenance of the hull.[18]
During her career with Saga, she experienced several incidents. In April 2012, during her maiden voyage, she suffered an engine failure, forcing Saga to cancel the 16-day voyage.[19] In May 2014, while cruising near the Isle of Mull, in Scotland, an electrical fire aboard the ship knocked out her power supply.[20] Repairs took place to an electrical panel while the ship was anchored off the island in calm seas for a few days.
ANEX Tour
In August 2019, Turkey-based ANEX Tour had reportedly purchased Saga Sapphire for its first ship to launch its cruise business, with a scheduled debut in mid-2020 from Antalya.[21] In April 2020, Saga's managing director Nigel Banks said Saga's plans to transfer Saga Sapphire to ANEX Tour may be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] On 18 June 2020, the sale was completed and it was announced the ship would debut for ANEX Tour in 2021 as Blue Sapphire.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Asklander, Micke. "M/S Europa (1981)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 January 2008.
- ^ ISBN 981-246-739-4.
- ^ Equasis, Malta (since 01-04-2006)
- ^ a b c d "Croisières de France 2008 brochure (reprint)". Simplon Postcards (in French). Retrieved 29 January 2008.
- ^ GL-Reg-No : 16201 (IMO : 7822457)
- ^ a b "Saga Completes the Sale of the Saga Sapphire to Anex Tour". Cruise Industry News. 18 June 2020.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Kungsholm (1953)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 January 2008.
- ^ a b Boyle, Ian. "Europa (1981)". Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
- ^ ISBN 1-86064-3736.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Astor (1981)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 January 2008.
- ^ "Liner go-ahead". The Times. No. 62209. London. 6 August 1985. col F, pp. 4.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Europa (1999)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 January 2008.
- ^ "MML Shipbuildingille tilaus risteilijän korjaustöistä". ts.fi (in Finnish). 23 January 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Cruise Business Review: Royal Caribbean starts new cruise line dedicated to French market Archived 2011-07-08 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 14. 10. 2007
- ^ Newman, Doug (13 September 2007). "Royal Caribbean Announces CDF Croisières de France". At Sea with Doug Newman. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
- ^ "Saga Expands Fleet? | Maritime Matters | Cruise and Maritime News". Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Saga Holidays Name newest acquisition SAGA SAPPHIRE | Maritime Matters | Cruise and Maritime News". Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Italy: Fincantieri Wins Saga Cruises' 37.301 t Bleu de France Refit and Refurbishment Project". Shipbuilding Tribune. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ "Another Cruise Ship Suffers Engine Trouble on Maiden Voyage". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Electrical fire strands cruise liner". BBC News. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ Mathisen, Monty (7 August 2019). "ANEX Tour Acquires Saga Sapphire". Cruise Industry News.
- ^ "Saga Could Delay Transfer of Saga Sapphire". Cruise Industry News. 16 April 2020.