    
  Fab Holiday, 12 feb 08
Reviewer: Theresa Hitchens from Stafford
This was our second time on-board Ocean Village after a trip in Nov 05 to the Caribbean which was amazing!!
We have had a fab time yet again!! The staff were still lovely and remembered us from before!!
The only downside this time was that there were more tenders to leave the ship, though this did not affect us, but if people were less mobile it would have not been much fun trying to get off.
The itinerary was fabulous - Latin America and the Caribbean, it's a shame this is changing for 2009!!
Very good value for money, no set times to eat which is ideal if you like buffet dining, however there is a bistro by James Martin and La Luna in the evening are a la carte, and there was a small charge to eat but the food was amazing and James Martin was on board which made my holiday even better and nice to see he actually had a say in how his bistro was run. He was approachable and spoke to guests as well as ran the service.
Brilliant Experience, Jan 2007
Reviewer: Sharon
I have been reading in amazement some of the reviews on Ocean Village, as I feel i must have been on a completely different cruise to some of them!
Having already been on Ocean Village to the med in Aug 2006, we couldn't wait to go to the Caribbean in Jan 2007. We weren't disappointed.
From the moment our flight left from Birmingham to land in Barbados, to arriving in our cabin, everything went very smoothly.
The islands were absolutely breathtaking, we found them very relaxing.
On board, the staff were very friendly, the cabin was clean and spacious, there was lots of drawer space and a huge mirror for those who like to preen themselves (ha ha).
Food was also very good, if you didnt like one thing there was always a different option. My husband loved the fact he could eat when he wanted to.
As for entertainment, I understand they have different tributes and comedians on each week, and it's the luck of the draw, but when we went, they were all good. Tina turner was excellent, as were Queen. I commented to my husband that Queen were great, but people seem to forget the fact they had a brilliant backing band called jet set behind them, who for me made the whole thing.
The 'Freedom to Move' dancers we saw in the Caribbean were good enough for the West End, as was the lead singer (keely) who proved she can sing and dance without getting out of breath! Her singing in the village square was absolutely spine tingling.
Also for those who love the piano like myself, a guy called Jason who played keyboards and sax in the band also played piano in the village square, which was lovely when you wanted a relaxing drink in the blue bar.
People we met on board had nothing but praise for this cruise ship and many of them were definitely going again, incidentally we are thinking of going again and will let you know how it goes!
Five Of The Best, March 2007
Reviewer: Philippa Reeve from Rugby
After five cruises with this ship, we can honestly say they've been the best five holidays we have ever had. We cannot fault it at all except that on our last cruise we were in a NN grade cabin next door to two young girls who were a bit noisy entertaining their new found friends at 3 o'clock in the morning! Thank goodness they only stayed for the first week of our holiday (No fault of OV).
We will definitely go on board again, soon we hope!
Kevin and Pip from Rugby.
Best Holiday Ever!, 2nd august 2007
Reviewer: Charlotte Livingstone from Middlesbrough
I had never been on a cruise before so i didn't have a clue what to expect. I've been on quite a few holidays but this one by far was the best! Olives and ouzo... The staff were perfect I don't have a bad word to say about anyone... The ship is absolutely beautiful and so are the places that you stop off at. I would definitely do ocean village again without a doubt. Wish i was back on it, Loved it!
From a disabled person’s perspective , February 2007
Reviewer: Mrs Patricia Hedgecock from Dunstable, UK
I am disabled, I can walk but not very far so I have to use a wheelchair. We arrived in Barbados to find that Ocean Village had laid on a car for me instead of travelling to the ship on the coach. We were helped with our check in and offered help with getting up the gangway. The staff was so helpful, nothing was too much trouble. If the gangway was too steep at some of the ports then staff helped with my wheelchair. The ship is ideal for wheelchairs. The only real problem was on deck 14 where you couldn't hook the doors back, but, usually there was a passenger or a member of staff to help. I was never made to feel that I was a nuisance and the staff always spoke to me and not just my husband.
We went out on tours everyday, not always those listed as suitable for the disabled. I went swimming with dolphins, swimming with turtles, each time crew helped me in and out of the water. We also did lots of gardens and things. I did palates on the ship and Becs, my instructor adapted the exercises so that I could either sit in my chair or on a gym ball.
We had such a fantastic time that we are going back again next January (08) on the new ship. I would really recommend this holiday to anyone who is disabled, I think there were 5 of us in chairs. The care I received was second to none. The ship runs like clockwork, whoever trains their staff has done an excellent job. We give this holiday 10/10!
 OV Educational Experience, May 2006
Reviewer: Karen Armstrong from Newcastle
I did an Educational on OV and thought it was excellent. Loved the ship thought it had really good facilities for its rating. The food was really good, and the Bistro (James Martins restaurant) was so worth the extra money, plus he was onboard when I was there which was fab!
I would recommend OV to virtually anyone except perhaps seasoned cruisers who would be used to a more 'traditional' experience. Enjoy it!!
Ocean Village Cruise, 12 July 2005
Reviewer: Craig Balderson from Hereford
Myself and my girlfriendhad never been on a cruise before this one last year. The cruise overall was amazing, the entertainment was brilliant and the food was lovely. One of the main plus points also was the flexibility in dining as you could eat when you wanted too.
I would definately do Ocean Village again.
Wish you were here.., 18 April 2006
Reviewer: Bozena Briggs from Luton
A thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing holiday I would recommend to my friends and family. The crew and all staff on board were very friendly and very helpful.
My 10-year old daughter loved the activities in the kids club, especially the 'killer game', the giant chess and the pool competitions. The evening entertainment (tributes to Robbie Williams, Abba, Crash..) were pretty energising... We also admired the skills of the international team of acrobats in the aerial ‘Moon show’ – it was quite a strange feeling to realise that the show took place under the stars, in the middle of the Caribbean night in the ocean…
We had a go at mountain biking on Antigua under the watchful eye of Chris and Steve. The trip catered for all ‘biking abilities’: we did 10 miles but those who wanted to stretch or test their stamina had an option of extending the trip for farther 10 miles and up hill too! The glass bottom Kayak adventure on Grenada was OK but we were disappointed with the lack of fish to view, they must have all gone somewhere else! However, the long sandy beaches on this island were fantastic and we spent a great afternoon sunbathing and snorkelling.
For the flora enthusiasts, I would recommend the ‘Aerial Tram and Trafalgar Falls’ excursion on Dominica. The tram is a relatively new attraction on the island and gives fantastic views of the rain forest. There were not that may birds to view, we were told by our very knowledgeable tour guide that many moved away from the area when the tram was built. We did, however, see the tiny humming bird sitting in a nest near the Trafalgar Falls, quite a rare sight we were told.
We liked the art auctions on the ship too. Todd, made sure there was plenty of sparkling wine for everyone, and the art did sell like hot cakes, one of the original pieces went under the hammer for £9,000! The pictures can only be purchased during the cruise and are shipped home to you afterwards, the shipping cost is added to your bill.
On our last evening on board my daughter experienced bad sea sickness. We found out that to see the ship doctor or get a prescription at 2130 would cost £100: luckily we could purchase some sea-sickness tables in the ship’ s kiosk. The charge took us by surprise as we assumed the doctor would be available free of charge. The food was varied and the hygiene on ship was at a very high standard, ‘cleaning of hands’ on entering the ship and the restaurants became a kind of on-board ritual.
All in all, this second cruising experience of ours was just too short, we would love to stay for another week… Something to consider for next time. Oh, one more thing, the customers on board represented a broad spectrum of age groups, lots of families with childern, couples in their 20s, silver group, I also spotted a couple of people in wheelchairs.
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Ocean Village Review, August 2004
Reviewer: Jenna from Lancashire
I would never of even dreamed of going on a cruise untill I went on the Ocean Village! It was one of the best holidays ive ever been on. The food, entertainment, drink, rooms and the service was of an excellent standard. I would definatley give it a star rating and if I had the chance again I would definatley revisit the Ocean VIllage.
Wouldn't go on another holiday, September 2004
Reviewer: Kirsty Barnes from Milton Keynes
Ive been on this ship twice and am going again in november 2005 and I can't wait, its a brilliant holiday and i wouldn't go on anything else.
Everything is of high standard, I'm taking 20 of my friends and family with me this year thats how good it is ,I am a travel agent which means I get to travel to alot of places, and the ship is by far the best.
Brilliant!, 30th August 2005
Reviewer: Michael Whelan from Liverpool , UK
We did our first cruise on Seawing last year and loved it. This year we tried Ocean Village two week cruise purely for the itinerary. We were very impressed. From the organisation to the food, from the friendly, and very efficient, staff to the excellent entertainment. We wanted to stay for a further two weeks.
The best thing though, compared with other cruises, is the ability to eat when you want, not being stuck to regimented meal times. Can't wait fo go back. Highly recommended
P.S. It was our 30th anniversary on board and ate at the Bistro. The staff really made our meal special.
Holiday, November 2003
Reviewer: Kirsty Barnes from Milton Keynes
When I travelled on Ocean Village I had only been on one cruise before this which was an Airtours cruise some years before this trip.
The ship was lovely, food of a high standard I have since travelled once more on this ship on a Med cruise and have booked again to go this November I would highly recommend it.
Thank you!, April 2005
Reviewer: Sue Anderson from Manchester, UK
Thanks to the Captain and the crew, especially, Madge in Charlie's Bar for making our cruise all that we hoped for.
Experience of a lifetime, 03 February 2003
Reviewer: Lacy Lofthouse from London
Opportunity to stop at a new destination every morning with excellent 5 star hotel on water.
Friendly staff all over the ship genuine people. Great off shore excursions bargain price for what you get, drinks on board reasonably priced.
Very laid back something for every one food is unbelievable you just want to eat eat eat movies in the cinema are fab! And the laser show at night on top deck is super! Didn’t want to go home!!!!!!
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