From TRAVEL TROLL - Travel News Clearing House

Saga Rose departs Southampton this evening on her final world cruise – celebrating the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth. The ship is scheduled to leave the UK port at 9:30 p.m. to a fireworks display. The 104-day voyage will celebrate the cultural and scenic diversity of 21 Commonwealth nations and cover 32,499 nautical miles, stopping at 39 ports of call.

A recent Saga Holidays survey discovered that half the British public believe the US is a Commonwealth member while only one in three (31%) knows there are 53 states in the Commonwealth (mainly former British colonies and territories with historical ties to Britain).

Saga Rose’s final and 44th world cruise means the vessel has undertaken more round the world voyages than any other cruise ship, including QE2. The company has made an application to the Guinness Book of Records to officially validate the fact. Saga Rose will leave the Saga fleet later in the year after a Med cruise departing Southampton at the end of October.

During her 13 years of cruising with the company, Saga Rose has carried more than 100,000 passengers.

Captain Alistair McLundie, who took command of Saga Rose in 2000, commented: 'Saga Rose has been a firm favourite with Saga customers thanks in great part to the loyalty of our crew, many of whom have forged long-lasting friendships with passengers. I get a real buzz from seeing the passengers enjoying their cruise, and it is a great privilege to captain her on this Commonwealth World Cruise to mark this special year.'