Myanmar News Links: SAGA RUBY As Burma Hotel

Thursday, 30 January 2014

SAGA RUBY As Burma Hotel — Updated

Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 by Martin Cox

SAGA RUBY's final departure from Southampton Docks. Photo © Si Newall Jan 10, 2014

Update: January 29, 2014 from Peter Newall. "It appears that she will be handed over to her new owners on Friday. Her dry dock work has been completed and this included her cabins and engines and I assume the faulty generator which caused the cancellation of the Caribbean segment of her final cruise. Her new name is believed to be OASIS and she is expected to leave Gibraltar around the 6^th or 7^th of February. More news when I receive it"

Media reports point to the sale of SAGA RUBY as finalized for use as a floating hotel in Myanmar.

Built on the Tyne in 1973 by Swan Hunter, as VISTAFJORD, she was the last passenger ship ordered by Norwegian America Line and the sole survivor of a quartet of iconic liners built after the Second World War. She is also the last large British-built, operational passenger ship and the longest lasting passenger ship in the history of British shipbuilding still in original condition and with her original engines.

SAGA RUBY was retired by Saga Cruises, ending her final cruise at Southampton on January 9th. She sailed the following day for Gibraltar and an unknown future. The sale is reported at $14 million and the buyer, Millennium View Ltd, an affiliate of a private equity fund from in Singapore. ISP, (International Shipping Partners), is expected to manage the ship.

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