The British cruise ship Spirit of Adventure is set to visit Palma this Friday, arriving in the island’s port at 9am before departing for Barcelona at 6pm. The vessel, operated by Saga Cruises, will spend the day in the city giving passengers the chance to explore Palma’s historic centre, waterfront and cultural landmarks before continuing its Mediterranean itinerary.
Spirit of Adventure is one of Saga Cruises’ newest ships and was built as part of the company’s plan to modernise its fleet. Constructed by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg, the vessel is the second purpose-built cruise ship for the brand, following the successful launch of its sister ship Spirit of Discovery. Saga confirmed the order in 2017 after seeing strong demand for its cruises and growth in its travel business.
Work on the ship began in 2019, with the keel laid on 3 June that year. Like many major projects at the time, construction was affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which caused delays across the cruise industry. Although Spirit of Adventure was delivered in September 2020, travel restrictions meant her inaugural sailing was postponed several times.
The ship eventually entered service on 26 July 2021, beginning with a 15-night voyage around the British Isles. Measuring 236 metres in length and weighing around 58,250 gross tonnes, Spirit of Adventure can carry up to 999 guests across 554 balcony cabins, offering a relatively spacious experience compared with many larger cruise vessels.
Passengers on board the Spirit of Adventure have access to a wide range of onboard facilities, including several restaurants offering breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day. Dining venues include the main Dining Room and The Grill, which features outdoor seating on its adjoining verandah, as well as a number of speciality restaurants such as Khukuri House, described as the world’s first Nepalese restaurant at sea. The ship also features a theatre, spa, promenade deck, multiple bars and an outdoor lido area, while all cabins come with private balconies as standard.
Designed for travellers aged 50 and over, the ship follows Saga’s all-inclusive cruising model, with meals, drinks, gratuities and onboard services included in the fare. Her visit to Palma on Friday will bring a brief but lively boost to the port area as passengers step ashore to discover the island before the ship continues its journey along the Mediterranean coast.