Dover on the 20th April 2022 to meet up with some members of my We Love Saga Cruises group. I had booked to stay in the Premier Inn as usual. Bob Girodot met me at the station and took me to the hotel for lunch with the others. Lorraine Friend came briefly too. As well as Discovery, Viking Venus was also in. Nigel Blanks at Saga had told me in 2028 they were copying the Viking model for their new ships so it was interesting seeing them side by side. The Viking was the 7th of the first lot of 47,862grt ships and entered service in 2021. Both were due to sail at 6pm. Carol Spinks took me up to Western Heights then the cliffs for photos after the others left but it was just me watching them sail. Due to the trouble with the Dubai-owned P&O Ferries, three were laid up. The Viking left silently first as I was fending off a professional beggar. The Saga was 40 minutes late with a tug escort.
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