Saga cruise ship Spirit of Adventure in Falmouth at A&P

The ship arrived from Portsmouth after completing a USA/Canada cruise.

This contract is a very important one for A&P Limited. Saga Cruises have been regular users of the port for cruise calls over many decades.

A&P Group Ltd said: "We look forward to showcasing our skills and working in partnership with Saga to prepare the cruise ship for her next adventure.”

However, this is the first time one of its ships has refitted here.

Many cruise companies have favoured European yards for refits. Fred Olsen have used Falmouth for several refits, the last being in 2023 when Bolette dry-docked.

The Spirit of Adventure will undergo a multi-million pound two weeks long refit before sailing again on her next cruise to the Canaries. The work will involve 500 personnel who will clean and repaint the ship’s hull, inspect the propulsion system, inspect the ship’s stabilisers, range and inspect the anchor cables, carry out interior refurbishment to cabins and passenger areas.

Watching this vessel dry dock from the Castle Drive was very impressive to see as she entered the harbour and docks waters.

For me it was a touch of deja vu having watched P&O’s liner the 42,000 ton Oriana dock in the newly built dry dock at 0500 on a cold November morning in 1960. This ship was 804 ft long and Spirit of Adventure is slightly smaller at 774ft.

P&O liner Oriana in drydock in 1960. Image: David Barnicoat Collection

With senior Falmouth pilot Nick Martin onboard, the ship stopped for an hour on the Middle Ground anchorage just north of Black Rock where four of the ship’s tenders were launched and taken to the dockyard for maintenance.

In a textbook operation under the direction of Nick and the ship’s master Captain Luko the ship approached the dry dock in a blaze of lights aided by two tugs as a precautionary measure.

Newly appointed A&P Falmouth Harbour Master and Marine Operations Manager Luke Wills was onboard to liaise on the radio with the Docking Controller James Buckley, who with his team had the responsibility of laying out the keel blocks and bilge blocks for the ship.

In order to allow maximum dock space for engineers to work on the ship’s SiPod propulsion system and stabilisers the ship came to the head of the dock with her bow over hanging the roadway.

The Spirit of Adventure has two variable pitched propellers and uses Siemens SISHIP SiPods for its propulsion and power distribution systems. The SiPODs are a podded propulsion system that are low-noise and low-vibration, and are considered more efficient and manoeuvrable than conventional diesel electric solutions.

Once James was happy with the ship’s final position the dock was partially drained to allow the ship to sit on the blocks. Pumping operations were ceased for a while whilst a shore fire main and water for the ship’s auxiliaries were connected, the dock was then emptied.