Welcome Home Ocean Village!

Many moons ago, We had a family holiday on board Ocean Village, this was when they had just the one ship – there motto was ‘For people who don’t do cruises!’ and I must admit to this day it has to be one of my favourite ships. Not overcrowded, good entertainment and food and you could always get a sun lounger. Ocean Village 1 came from P&O as she was the old Arcadia. Overall she was a lovely ship and has some of the biggest cabins I have seen especially for the Insides.

Of course in my line of work, I work, eat and drink cruise ships. It is something I am incredibly  passionate about, and when I have spoken with people in the past and mention Ocean Village you do get that, Ohh no we wouldn’t cruise with Ocean Village, it is a bit like that with MSC and Thomson, however I unless you try it you don’t know. Fair enough, if you try it and still don’t like it then move on, there is plenty of choice. However nearly every person I have spoken to, that had sailed on Ocean Village, only had good things to say… Going on from here we went back on Ocean Village and then also on Ocean Village 2.

Then came the sad news that P&O where going to stop the brand, they said it wasn’t popular enough but the ship also seems to be busy on board with people, I think possibly they were a little early, 5 years later and I think they would still be around now.

Ocean Village 1 left first, and became the Pacific Pearl and the Ocean Village 2 shortly after and became the Pacific Jewel both have had long and interesting histories sailing for some of the biggest cruise lines such as Aida, Princess, P&O, Ocean Village and now P&O Australia but some news which has been feed through is that Cruise and Maritime are now the proud new Owners of the Pacific Pearl, which prior to this was the first Ocean Village ship.

She has operated for the Australia fleet for just over five years and will move to C&M Voyages in April 2017 when she will be of the grand age of 30.

She will sail back via Singapore where she will undergo a refit and also have the livery of Cruise and Maritime added to her and then sail for home which will be EX-UK Cruising from Tilbury. She already has a strong reputation here in the UK as a ship under different names and I for one would love to get back on her.

She will be renamed Columbus and take pride of place as C&M Flag ship, passenger capacity wise will be around 1,00 across 775 cabins. It will be the secondly new ship C&M have taken over alongside Mallegan which launched last year.

Planned upgrades will see the Teen Children’s areas transformed in to a Columbus Lounge and Library as well as a dedicated Bridge and Card Room and a studio for Crafts. She will be Adults only with a Minimum age of 16 except for two sailings in August when she will allow children of all ages on board.

I for one, think this is great news and a wonderful addition to the EX-UK based ships that we have.