Fab cruise - see the sights on your own | Ocean Village | Ocean Village Cruises

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Fab cruise - see the sights on your own
Reviewed By: Bennett, Kettering on 18th Jun 2009
Cruise Line: Ocean Village Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Ocean Village	Sailed: May, 2009
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 46-55

As someone who never wanted to go on a cruise holiday I'm not sure how we ended up booking a two week cruise! I suppose it was hearing from regular cruisers how great cruises are and wanting a break where we got to see lots of different places. We certainly didn't want to have to dress in all our finery and sit with strangers for meals so reading about what Ocean Village offered it seemed to be just what we wanted. We weren't disappointed. The ship is well laid out and very clean. The cabin was spacious and has everything you need. The window could have done with a clean on the outside but it wasn't a problem. The food was excellent with a good choice on offer and always plenty of it. My husband is a vegetarian and was well catered for. The Events team were all characters and gave us a laugh. The entertainment was very good although to get a seat in Connexions in the evening you had to be there early. The only thing that prevented our holiday from being perfect was the 'getting off'! We wanted to go ashore independently, partly as we thought the 'Action Ashore' trips were too expensive and partly because it's more fun finding your own way round all the different places. Information for independent travellers was poor. Yes, there were factsheet about the destinations on reception the night before we got to each place, but we happened on these by accident and some were not much use anyway. On reaching Livorno we were horrified to find that we couldn't get off the ship unless we paid 5 euros to go on the shuttle bus from the ship to the centre of Livorno. Given that the bus fare from Livorno centre to the train station cost 1.50 euros each way and the train to Pisa cost 1.80 each way the shuttle fare was greatly overpriced. The only 'Action Ashore' trip that we were tempted to take was the one to Rome. However we found out that the train fare to Rome was 9 euros return and included unlimited use of the metro so we did our own thing and saw all the sites. It was a bit hairy trying to find the right platform for the return train - it wasn't very obvious and there was no-one to ask so don't leave it too late! Back on board we spoke to a couple who had done the 'Action Ashore' trip (95 pounds) who said that there hadn't been enough time on the trip to see the Colloseum! To anyone who wants to do their own thing:- Tunisia - Take a walk to La Goulette beach. It's a short walk to the right as you get off the ship, you can watch the fishermen and it's free! Naples - The hydrofoil is round the port to the left from the ship and you can get a hydrofoil to Capri for 32 euros return. The funicular is close by and costs 1.40 euros each way. Or walk up the endless steps as we did - not for the fainthearted! Villefranche - The train to Monte Carlo costs 5 euros return. Ajaccio, Palma, Genoa, and St Raphael can all be done on foot from the ship and are well worth visiting. It's a shame that OV doesn't dock as close to the action at some ports as other ships do but it didn't stop us seeing what we wanted to. We would certainly like to travel to the Med on OV again before it heads for Australia. If anyone knows when the best time to book to get the best deal is please let us know.
Quality of Food
Waterfront for breakfast and dinner. Plantations for lunch/sandwiches/cake.
Entertainment
Mercury Rising, Annie Lennox tributes and Jaki Graham.
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff
Our steward Chris was always smiling and worked hard.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
The afternoon quiz was good fun.
Cabins
Very good.
Overall Rating

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Comment by Sharples, Fleetwood (18 Jul 09 10:22) about this REVIEW

Thanks for your review regarding do it yourself trips. We have done many cruises and have never booked a tour specifically because their too damned expensive, and besides i have heard it can feel like your in a cattle market especially if their are lots of cruise ships in port.We tend to go ashore when the destination is within walking distance,and we have been happy just mooching around. Only problem is doing it yourself you are constantly picked on by locals and taxi drivers pestering you to do a tour and we hate that aspect of it and also we do sometimes feel intimidated by the locals. Once your away from the terminal/dock area you are fine then to venture off.Another big worry for us also is getting lost and missing the ship,and i can hear many people reading this review shouting well if your that concerned and worried about diy then book the escorted tours,but as with anything you can only do what you can afford, and besides we are not particulary interested in visiting all the tourist sites,we really do like the atmoshere on the ship and the cruise itself . If the destination is within walkin distance then it is a bonus to us,if we did pay what most reviewers have commented on the extortionate cost of trips then i doubt we could afford to cruise a all.

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Question by Smith, Cove (03 Jul 09 19:32) about this REVIEW

Hi Re your diy on Tunis. Did they accept Euros in say small coffee shops etc along the front ? We're off on 8th Sept. Many thanks

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Answer by Bennett, Kettering (06 Jul 09 11:41) to a QUESTION by Smith (03 Jul 09 19:32)

Hi, We only shopped at the souvenir shop at the port (which was very good and where I'm sure there was a small cafe) and Euros were acceptable. Ocean Village's info on 'Currency for Tunisia' states that, in their experience, Euros and US Dollars are only accepted in souvenir shops and you should use Tunisian Dinar elsewhere, which cannot be exchanged once you are back on board. There aren't many places to shop on the seafront. It's a very small, local type of place. No designer boutiques or amusement arcades, but worth a look to get a feel of Tunisia. Have a fantastic time. Ellie

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Comment by Smith, Cove (06 Jul 09 23:33) about an ANSWER by Bennett (06 Jul 09 11:41)

Thanks very much for this info Ellie. Regards Jan

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Hick, Market Harborough (21 Jun 09 10:16) about this REVIEW

Just had two fantastic weeks on Ocean Village Two. Made even more special by James Martin being on board. I agreee that the action ashore excursions are expensive, however the two trips we did do Easy Ephesus and Corinth Canal were excellent with superb guides. Cabins beautifully clean, food superb, and as for the Bistro what a treat.

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Comment by Smith, Leeds (18 Jun 09 19:32) about this REVIEW

Hi - glad you enjoyed it so much. We are going on Ocean Village in 3 weeks. We've been on Aurora before which we enjoyed but found it much too formal so are looking forward to being on Ocean Village where we can go casual. Our captain on Aurora was Ian Hutley, I believe he has now moved to Ocean Village? He was a lovely guy, always had time to talk to everyone. On the trip to Monte Carlo, was this OK doing the train, we are a bit worried because it is on a Sunday.

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Comment by Skitt, Dartford (19 Jun 09 15:14) about a COMMENT by Smith (18 Jun 09 19:32)

Hi, I was at Villefranche a few weeks back on a Sunday and the trains are every 1/2 approx. We went the other way to Nice and did wait an hour to come back, so my advice is go by train but don't leave it too late returning just in case one is cancelled.

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Comment by mcguire, dunfermline fife (18 Jun 09 13:12) about this REVIEW

hiya seems like you had great time look up other t.a. phone about as well then try under cut each t.a to get good deal .theres allways one comes up cheaper

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