Home

2000, 2002 and 2004 Saga Rose, 2006 Arcadia, 2007 QEII, 2009 and 2012 Saga Ruby, 2009 QM2 , 2014 and 2018 Saga Sapphire, 2014 and 2017 Saga Pearl II and 2015 Magellan and 2023 Spirit of Adventure Cruises.

We didn't actually get ashore in 2000 because we were diverted there to have an injured lady airlifted off!
2002 was the first time we got a good look at the City and what a revelation it was! Went on a guided coach tour, loved it and went on the open top bus on a subsequent visit. Holds up well with any European Capital (that we've seen) and would be worth an extended break (if only we had the time). In 2014 went on a different open top bus tour excellent! 2015, pouring with rain! Stayed on the ship. 2017, lovely and sunny (but not too hot) so stayed on board and lazed on our terrace.

Lisbon

Explorer's Statue
Statue of King Jose, Michael in Lisbon and the Explorers Statue

2018 Went in on the shuttle bus in the morning and had a walk to Rossio Square, Figueira Square, down through the Triumphal Arch and back along the sea road to the Ship.

Statue of King John I (left) and King Pedro IV in front of the Theatre (cyclist tours were legion!)

Triumphal Arch looking through to King Jose and from Commerce Square

King Jose in 2018

King Jose in 2007 - alright, I like this statue!

In 2023, because of the bad weather, we were several hours late arriving. All tours were cancelled except an included coach tour around the City which I had booked! I'd forgotten how nice Lisbon was! Nice to see a demonstration in support of Ukraine in the main square. Ukraine has unfortunately been pushed off the front pages by the Israel / Hamas conflict.

Ukraine demonstration in 2023 (taken from coach)

Got back to the ship, another problem! The gangway to the ship was not long enough! They must have been using it for several hours but, by the time we arrived, couldn't get on. Queued for about 45 minutes but, to be honest, everyone in the queue seemed to treat it as a joke. It's our age, we've been there, done that, bought the t-shirt (although, in the shop we couldn't buy a Saga Rose t-shirt for £5 as we used to in the early days). Eventually fixed and rushed (I'm 78 but can still rush) to the bar to meet Ann, who had been waiting for our normal pre-dinner drinks. Must go to the cabin to freshen up. Not too late for dinner. When you've cruised as often as we have you know there are going to be problems.