Saga Sells Sapphire Vessel to Turkish Firm

Turkish-based tour operator Anex Tour is entering the cruise business with the acquisition of Saga Cruises' Saga Sapphire.

Anex chairman Neset Kockar said the acquisition would allow the Turkish holiday giant to create a “unique eastern Mediterranean cruise experience”. “With changing habits of travelers, we must adopt our product offering accordingly,” said Kockar.

The 800-passenger vessel will be transferred to ANEX Tour in mid-2020 and begin sailing cruises around the Eastern Mediterranean from her new homeport in Antalya, Turkey.

Spanning 12 decks, Saga Sapphire offers various onboard amenities, such as 382 cabins, restaurants, pools, a spa, a shopping arcade and many other recreational activities.

Sapphire was built in 1981 and entered service in early 1982, sailing under the name Europa for Hapag-Lloyd. It traded hands several times between 1999 and 2011 when it was acquired by Saga.