The Southampton-based cruise ship Caronia will change its name to Saga Ruby when she comes to the end of her Cunard career later this year.

Once the ship is part of Saga Group's cruising operation, the 24,492 ton vessel, formerly known as Vistafjord, will be reunited with her sister ship, Saga Rose, which previously sailed as Sagafjord.

With a capacity of 669 passengers, Saga Ruby will undergo a wide-ranging refit and refurbishment at the end of 2004 before being brought into service by new owners, who specialise in holidays for people aged 50 and over.

Saga Ruby, which will begin operations in March 2005, will cruise to destinations including the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Norwegian fjords.

Originally built by Swan Hunter, the ship switched from Vistafjord to Caronia in 1999 and is considered one of the few classic cruise ships still sailing today.