Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	356
Accommodation	200	138
Food	400	238
Service	400	273
Entertainment	100	72
Cruise	400	274

How this score is created

Ocean Village was originally designed and built for Sitmar Cruises, a company that was absorbed into Princess Cruises in 1988 before the ship was completed. The ship was extensively refurbished in 1997 at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, and reconfigured specifically for British cruise passengers.

After a refurbishment intended to brighten the interior passageways, public rooms and dining spots, the former Arcadia morphed into Ocean Village in April 2003, and is now a trendy, ship that has been refreshingly designed for younger couples and families who want to take a cruise, but don’t want the sedentary “eat when we tell you to and relax” image typical of traditional cruise ships.

In the 2003 refit, several new cabins were added, although the overall number of crew was reduced (not so many are needed for this more casual style of cruising, particularly in the food service areas); the casino was also relocated (it displaced the library), while the former casino has been turned into an internet center/bar, Connexions.

Ocean Village is a well proportioned ship, with a good amount of open deck space. On the open leisure deck are two pools (one has sloping steps, while the other has vertical steps; one has a sit-in bar), while the aft pool will probably be used by families with children. Four hot tubs sit on a raised platform, and two shower cubicles stand adjacent to a poolside bar.

The ship’s interiors are upbeat and trendy in a high-street sort of fashion (with decor by the designers who did a good job with the ships of Aida Cruises), but also include a few items that have a link with the past, such as the art deco stainless steel balustrades and the soulless stainless steel elevators. There aren’t a lot of public rooms to play in, although one nice feature is the fact that the public rooms do have ceilings that are higher than average for contemporary cruise ships.

The focal point of the interior is a three-deck-high foyer, highlighted by a large blue and yellow painted (it’s actually stainless steel underneath) kinetic sculpture resembling a Swiss Army knife (its blades move slowly) that brings one’s attention to a multi-deck horseshoe-shaped ­staircase.

There is a domed observation lounge (the Bayside Club, which sits atop the ship, forward of the mast). It is a restful spot for cocktails; at night it turns into a night-spot/discotheque that includes not only a sunken dance floor but also exercise bicycles and step machines – a strange combination (so you can dance, drink, and fall off your bike!). There is an internet cafe, with five computer terminals (but no privacy screens); the charge is £7.50 for 15 minutes.

For retail therapy, several shops are clustered around the second and third levels of the three-deck high atrium lobby, plus a dedicated cinema. Other facilities include a casino (aft of the upper level of the two-deck high showlounge), The Oval lounge/bar, Connexions Bar, and the Blue Bar (a more traditional drinking lounge.

Families should enjoy the children’s facilities, which are extensive. There is a children’s indoor play area (Base Camp) located at the aft (blunt) end of the ship, while exterior aft decks have a paddling pool and games areas. There’s also a Night Nursery for sleepovers (operates 6pm–2am, but there is a per child charge after midnight). Teenagers have their own area, The Hideout. Although supplies of disposable nappies, baby wipes and sterilizing ­fluids are available on board, Ocean Village recommends that you bring your own supplies and top up on board (where such things are necessarily more expensive). Babies under 6 months old are not accepted as passengers.

Ocean Village began fly-cruise operations in May 2003. The ship is based on Palma de Majorca, with flights from five UK airports (Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Stansted, and Manchester). You can take a 7-day or 14-day cruise (there are two different itineraries, Palaces/Paella, and Pizzas/Pasta, which alternate each week) and add on a one-week or two-week stay at a choice of Majorcan family resort hotels (one is exclusive to Ocean Village).

The vacation includes a variety of active sports such as mountain biking, abseiling, jet skiing, jeep safaris, quad biking, parasailing, helicopter flight-seeing, and snorkeling (all are at extra cost). The ship carries a “fleet” of mountain bikes. Both active and passive cruising, therefore, are on offer.

In marketing terms, this ship and casual dress-down product is designed to compete head to head with Island Cruises and Thomson Cruises, with the same kind of itineraries and cost structure for the British market. Ocean Village, however, is the superior ship in terms of hardware. Basic gratuities to staff are included in the cruise/ holiday price, but you’ll need to budget spending money for all the little things that cost extra on board. The Cruise Comment Card is interesting, with sections for you to tick Fab, Good, OK, or Yuk!

Sadly, there is no full wrap-around promenade deck outdoors (open port and starboard walking areas stretch only partly along the sides). The elevators have a “London Underground” voice that says “mind the doors”. There is no library. Standing in line for embarkation, disembarkation, shore tenders and for self-serve buffet meals tends to happen with ships of this size. Smokers are everywhere.

In spring 2007, a sister ship, Ocean Village Two (ex-AIDAblu) joined the fleet.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008