Swansea refit for Saga Pearl II confirmed

UK cruise line Saga has confirmed that its latest addition to its fleet, the former Club Cruise owned Astoria will undergo a five month, £20m refit, at Swansea Dry Dock in the UK, with the work being undertaken by the Harris Pye Group.  Following the refit the vessel will be renamed Saga Pearl II and enter service for Saga in March 2010, with her inaugural cruise to Norway from Southampton.

This is the first time in 10 years that significant refit work has been undertaken at Swansea Dry Dock.  The facility will now be reopened and renovated, providing some 300 jobs over the period of the refit.

Barry-based Harris Pye beat of strong competition from other UK repairers, as well as German yards to win two major contracts for work on Saga Pearl II.  As well as the addition of new balcony cabins, the existing show lounge, restaurants, spa and swimming pool will be upgraded. One of the best libraries afloat will be created and a new cinema installed. New galleys are also planned to support the gourmet dining experience in the vessel’s elegant dining rooms.

A sports deck will be created, including the addition of a short tennis court. On the technical side, the vessel will receive a new foul release coating system.

Harris Pye is being used for the main engineering work and Saga is planning to place a number of other major contracts with UK-based contractors. 

Commenting on the refit contract, Andrew Goodsell, Executive Chairman, Saga Group said: ‘The multi-million £ refit will ensure that Saga Pearl II is splendid throughout and with 446 passengers she will have an intimate atmosphere and the quality of service our passengers have come to expect. I am delighted that we are able to support a British yard and that in doing so we will help with the regeneration of the Swansea docks.’

 

The first contract won by Harris Pye for a cruise vessel is for the provision of the drydock and drydock services, which include the complete overhaul of the vessel’s four Wärtsilä-Sulzer 6L46 main engines, auxiliary engines, boilers HVAC systems, electrical and automation, as well as a large quantity of steel and pipework renewal, plus hull treatment and tank coatings and all related engineering work throughout the ship.

 

The second contract for Harris Pye involves Harris Pye’s Outfitting and BEK divisions, which will be fully equipping both the Veranda Restaurant and the Discovery Lounge and supply all necessary galley equipment for both.  They will also be used in the refurbishment of the crew’s cabins.

 

The Harris Pye Group is already familiar with working with Saga, undertaking both technical and hotel work onboard their Spirit of Adventure while she underwent a three month refit in Malta in 2008. The work package on this vessel included steel and pipe renewal, main engine overhaul, as well as refitting the galley areas, refrigeration areas and cabins.  The company has also recently been involved in the refits of two P&O Cruises’ vessels at Germany’s Lloyd Werft.  The £1m + jobs involved Artemis and Oceana.    

Sphere: Related Content