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Australians are welcome to OV2 |
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Reviewed By: Christie, Hockley on 18th Jun 2009
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| Cruise Line: Ocean Village Cruises |
Times cruised before: 1-2 |
| Cruise Ship: Ocean Village Two |
Sailed:
May,
2009 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 56-65 |
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My sister and I are new to cruising, only having cruised once before in Feb 2009 around the Caribbean with Thompson Destiny. My mother (aged 82) had just lost her husband and hadn't been on holiday for years so we decided on a cruise. We chose the Med so that the flying time was relatively short. We chose OV so that a complete new wardrobe wasn't needed by my mother. This was a very bad decision. The Plantation Restaurant was very noisy and lots of jostling against others going in the opposite direction. Sometimes unavoidable as always closing off one side or restaurant and/or drinks station. Apart from the general din there was also music piped through the whole time. Not soothing background music, but, sometimes quite loud modern noisy music (had to choose your spot to sit which was difficult as others must have had same idea). Food not particular good, or hot, and too many curry or chinese evenings. Whilst the Waterfront was a more civilised atmosphere and looked more like a restaurant than school canteen again the choice of food wasn't great. The entertainment was poor and very, very loud in the Marguee. The tribute shows might have been worth watching, but we had to leave after couple of songs (Annie Lennox) and one (Robby Williams) as too loud. They have the amplification up far too much. My mother is deaf and had to take out both her hearing aids and put her finger in her better ear. We weren't alone in walking out and neither were we at the front, but the rear. I also heard others complaining that there weren't enough seats. Sometimes we sat around the Balcony Bar on level 7 and some of the singers were awful.
Trying to get a sunbed in the sun on days at sea or when most people had returned from shore was almost impossible. There were 'Sunbed Police' who tagged your chair/bed if it was left too long, but rarely came back after the 30 mins to remove towels etc., and this was hit and miss as a couple next to us left their beds for 1 hour 10 mins and weren't tagged.
Children under 9 were not supposed to go in the hot tubs and 9-16 year old were to be accompanied by an adult, yet there was no 'policing' of this rule and no notice by them. The notice was on something in your cabin.
Company policy in the brochure states than for a fee of £5 (outlandish) you can take a duty free bottle to your cabin. However, a new Captain joined the ship the same day as us and this right was taken away. The wine was £1.45 a bottle dearer than our previous cruise for same type/name.
If this had been our first cruise we would have been put off cruising, but thankfully had our memories of the 'Destiny' which, although more of a tired ship, gave us a great holiday.
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