May 30, 2003 -- With the launch of the superliner Queen Mary 2 now little more than six months off, and with construction begun on a second new ship, Queen Victoria, Cunard announced that it will be selling the small, classic Caronia to UK-based Saga Group (www.sagaholidays.com). The ship will be leaving Cunard in November 2004.
Built as Vistafjord for Norwegian-American Line in 1973, the 668-passenger Caronia is currently based in the UK market. With the sale, Caronia will be reunited with her sister ship Sagafjord, which Saga purchased from Cunard in 1996 and renamed Saga Rose.
According to Cunard president Pamela Conover, "Caronia will continue to play an important role in the fleet through the fall of 2004. We expect strong demand for her farewell season."
When Queen Victoria debuts in March 2005, Cunard will operate a three-ship fleet named for British monarchs: Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria.
