Ocean Village Cruises Reviews

It seems that a lack of research is the main cause for the majority of your complaints. We sailed the Caribbean on OV2 in February 2009 and we knew then that the ships were being transferred to P&O Austrailia! With regards to the age of the ship, this is also easy to find if you had checked the internet. We have travelled on over 18 Cruises since 2002 with the like of Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Holland America on some of the newest ships afloat and we can honestly say that we enjoy OV cruises more! Just returned from the OV on the 10th march and loved it just like the OV2 last year. Yes the ship is old and not a patch on todays new ships but does it matter? We could fault nothing on any of our cruises and we are annoyed that OV will no longer exist!

I disagree with your review as we found our whole experience on Ocean Village to be extremely good. The staff were all very friendly and could not do enough for you. The food was very tasty with a much bigger choice than we were imagining. We also enjoyed our meals in La Luna and the Bistro. We want to book the farewell cruise in October and tried today but guess what----- the computer system crashed within 30 minutes due to unprecedented demand. This despite prices being astronomically high. I hope this message is going home to Carnival that the demand for this final crossing is so high that passengers are prepared to pay over the odds for one last go and then they will desert them forever.

Just really wondering how much 'research' you did for your cruise. I found out that both OV and OV1 were to be moved to Australia back in 2008. Was it just the price that made you take the Cruise!? There has been plenty of information on these ships over the past months.

Ocean Village has not been sold to anyone. It is moving to P&O Australia at the end of the summer season and therefore stocks and things should not be running down because it is reaching the end of being that brand - it has a whole summer season to do yet. Why did you think it was a modern ship? It was announced in 2008 that the ship was going to be moved to Australia - it's not like it has just happened. What did you think of your new cabin? The one thing that impressed us was the size and the fact that you could actually turn round in the shower. As for the comment of Rees from Gwent about expecting waiter service - Ocean Village has never offered waiter service except in La Luna and the Bistro that's why it is a casual, informal cruise line. We found the staff on both our cruises to be exceptionally good. We had 2 different Captains in Ian Hutley and Charlie Carr but both were really approachable and friendly so I'm not sure why Chris thinks that the senior staff aren't.

I totally agree with you.My husband and i went for christmas and new year 09, we were very disapointed with then state of the ship, from cabin,to the ship all over really.Very tired looking. The food was good but not wonderful like i have experienced on other ships.I haved recommended this ship to my friends or family. I also found this ship to be too informal, and was shocked to find there wasn,t a waiter service restaurant,because i like to be served.We are 58yrs of age and this was my worse cruise to date and my 8th.Not a very good standared overall and we paid an awful lot for it because it was christmas and new year. Wendy Rees.

Hi, .........The excellent embarkation routine is a Caribbean thing, not an OV thing - applies to other lines' fly/cruises to the Caribbean but not to OV Mediterranean. ...........P&O haven't sold the ship, but in the autumn will be re-furbishing her & transferring her to their Aus division. So, as with any ship approaching re-furb or de-commissioning, I'm afraid her age will show - though I've been on a lot worse. ................. but that wouldn't affect supplies such as the wine & ice-cream. .....................I wasn't on your cruise but, like the other folk you mention, for a laid-back buffet-style I thought the food pretty good, way better than the buffet options on other ships. Maybe the standard has fallen, maybe we just have different expectations. ......... I've found officers/management staff nowhere near as approachable or helpful as other ships, but junior staff brilliant. ............... Chris

Actually P&O have not sold this vessel. Ocean village is being closed down and both the vessels in their fleet are being transferred to P&O's operations in Australia.