Internationally renowned crime writer, Ruth Rendell, will be headlining Saga Cruises Meet-the-Author series on Saga Sapphire’s Baltic Treasures cruise in May 2015.

Lady Rendell, who is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of her crime writing career, will take part in a Q & A session with passengers, who will each receive a copy of her new novel The Girl Next Door.

The best-selling novelist travels the world but has chosen Saga for her first cruise. She said: “ I have been to most of the destinations, particularly Sweden and Denmark, many, many times but I like going to places I know.”

Sailing through the Stockholm archipelago is widely regarded as one of cruising’s ‘must-do’ experiences and this will be another first for the author. She said: “I have been all over Sweden and I know the islands well but I have never arrived by sea. I am looking forward to that.”

The 700-passenger, Saga Sapphire, has earned a reputation for fine dining, professional service and comfortable accommodation. The public areas are roomy and there is a sense of fun with a British 60s seaside theme at the poolside, where passengers can tuck in to ice cream, fish ‘n’ chips or even visit an old-fashioned sweet shop.

I returned from my first ever Baltic cruise just a few short weeks ago and I knew before I even put my feet back on terra firma that I had to sail this region again, so I will be joining this cruise too! The itinerary looks fantastic and features several new ports for me along with a few I visited in June. I have to say that I am incredibly excited to see the Stockholm archipelago again as it really was one of the biggest highlights of my last cruise. As well as this itinerary featuring a few new ports of call, it will also offer a new ship for me to hopefully fall in love with.

Saga Sapphire will call at Ronne, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St Petersburg, Russia (overnight in port); Tallinn and Saaremaa, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Warnermunde, Germany and Ijmuiden, Holland. Highlights will include the Stockholm archipelago (of course) and transits of the Kiel Canal in both directions.

Only 231-days to go until she sails! 😉

The Saga Sapphire Baltic Treasures cruise sails from Southampton for 16 nights on May 6, 2015.