Another Cruise Ship Suffers Engine Trouble on Maiden Voyage

The newest cruise ship from Saga Cruises’, the Saga Sapphire, has brought its maiden voyage to an early and unexpected end due to engine trouble.

The UK-based line has been flying passengers aboard the liner home from Valencia, Spain following an issue that erupted with one of the vessel’s two main engines. The 16-day scheduled cruise was set to end this Wednesday in Southampton, England.

Reportedly, passengers on the affected maiden voyage will receive a full refund and a discount for a future cruise. The next voyage of the ship also will be postponed as the vessel undergoes repair.

According to USA Today, the now Saga Sapphire was originally built in the 1980s for German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd. The 706-passenger vessel was acquired by Saga late last year and has just emerged from an extensive, four-month-long overhaul that brought major changes to cabins, new restaurants and other improvements.

Photo (thumb): The ship in 2008 while it was still owned and operated by French line, CDF Croisières de France.