Saga Ruby
Vistafjord in Piraeus
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| Builder: | Swan Hunter, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | $35 million |
| Yard number: | 39 |
| Launched: | 15 May 1972 |
| Acquired: | 15 May 1973 |
| Maiden voyage: | 22 May 1972 |
| In service: | 22 May 1972 |
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| Notes: | Plans are being made to convert her into a floating hotel |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Type: | Cruise ship |
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| Length: | 191.09 m (626 ft 11 in) |
| Beam: | 25.00 m (82 ft 0 in) |
| Draught: | 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in) |
| Ice class: | 1 C |
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| Propulsion: | 2 propellers |
| Speed: | 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) (service) |
| Capacity: | 670 passengers (maximum) |
| General characteristics (after 2005 refit) | |
| Tonnage: | 24,492 GT |
| Draught: | 8.23 m (27 ft 0 in) |
| Decks: | 9 (passenger accessible) |
| Capacity: | 655 passengers (maximum) |
| Crew: | 380 |
| Notes: | Otherwise the same as built |
MS Saga Ruby is a cruise ship that was owned and operated by Saga Cruises. She was built as the combined ocean liner/cruise ship Vistafjord in 1973 by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders in the United Kingdom for the Norwegian America Line. In 1983 she was sold to Cunard Line, retaining her original name until 1999 when she was renamed Caronia. In 2004 she was sold to Saga and sailed as Saga Ruby until sold in 2014 for use as a floating hotel and renamed Oasia.
The Vistafjord was ordered by Norwegian America Line (NAL) from Swan Hunter Shipbuilders, Newcastle, United Kingdom. She was based on the company's 1965-built MS Sagafjord, but with an enlarged hull, additional superstructure deck and improved interior layout. However, as the cost of building the Sagafjord had put her builders, Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee, out of business, the Vistafjord had to be built at a different shipyard. She was launched on 15 May 1972 and delivered to the Norwegian America Line exactly a year later on 15 May 1973. She is the last cruise ship to have been built in the United Kingdom.
On 22 May 1973 the Vistafjord set on her maiden voyage, a transatlantic crossing from Oslo to New York. At the time the Norwegian-flagged Vistafjord was considered to be amongst the most luxurious cruise ships in the world, sharing the top 5 in Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising with the Sagafjord and Royal Viking Line's Royal Viking Star, Royal Viking Sky and Royal Viking Sea for several years. In early 1980, the vessel was famously chartered by car manufacturer British Leyland to internally launch the Austin Metro to its British dealer network.
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