Ruby looking red-faced again

More problems for Saga Ruby, as the ship limps towards its planned retirement in 12 months time. The cruise scheduled to depart from Southampton this Thursday (December 6) has been cancelled because a dry dock refit will not be completed in time.
Ruby’s last cruise was cut short, with passengers being flown home from Lisbon, because of a problem which arose in the engine room. Repair work – which was carried out during a pre-planned period in dock, is taking longer than anticipated.
Saga spokesman Paul Green tells me: “It has emerged that more work than was originally planned is necessary. We are as you would expect committed to having all the engineering and other work completed in a thorough and professional manner. This means that the ship will need to remain in Bremerhaven.
“The refit is worth several millions and is a comprehensive engineering refit as well as renewing carpets and soft furnishings.
“The extra work should be completed well in advance of the next cruise which departs Southampton on December 14 and heads off on a 24 night-Mediterranean Christmas and New Year cruise.”
Passengers booked on the December 6-14 cruise have been given a full refund and a 25 per cent discount on a future booking.