Spirit of Adventure, a somewhat angular ship, has an all-white hull (with blue line between hull and superstructure), a balanced profile with buff-colored funnel and black top, and an ice-strengthened hull. As Berlin, the ship was featured for many years in the long running German TV show Traumschiff (Dream Ship).

In 1986 the ship was “chopped and stretched” and a 20-meter mid-section was added. Saga Holidays purchased it in April 2005, refurbished it for warm-weather cruising, and assigned it to sister company, Spirit of Adventure. Despite its small size, it is a good sea ship and rides well.

The interiors are crisp, contemporary and well-appointed, with tasteful European decor and furnishings. The Library is a fine room, with a 3,000-book library/DVD collection (open 24 hours), plus internet access at four computer stations.

The swimming pool, located aft, is tiny (it’s really just a “dip” pool). The surrounding open-deck and sunbathing space is cramped, because it’s in the same area as the outdoor seating for The Verandah dining venue. However, a reasonable amount of open-deck sunbathing space can be found on the uppermost deck, forward of the mast.

This well-run (soft-adventure) ship provides a destination-intensive fly-cruise experience in a comfortable, well maintained, intimate ship for those who seek to explore and learn about less visited places, and who do not need constant entertainment. Itineraries include Europe, the Aegean Sea and Black Sea, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and Antarctica.

The value for money is good. Insurance and staff gratuities are included in the cruise fare, as are scheduled or charter flights (plus all airport fees and taxes), visas (for full UK-resident British citizens), port taxes, luggage handling, some shore excursions (others are available at extra cost), and lectures. Additionally, mountain bikes are available for anyone wanting to explore independently (or on escorted rides). The onboard currency is the British pound.

While the ship is not the latest, and doesn’t have any cabins with balconies, its attention to passenger care, and the company’s meet-and-greet and transfer services are extremely good. Shuttle buses are also provided in many ports of call. Onboard wines and drinks prices are very low in comparison with almost all other cruise lines.

Note that there is only one elevator – it doesn’t go to the two topmost decks or to the Spa Aquarius on the lowermost deck – and the passenger accommodation hallways are rather narrow. However, it’s the Filippino hotel crew that makes this ship so popular with passengers.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008