Public Servant Lifestyle

We follow a couple of self-confessed ‘old hand’ cruisers as they try out a new approach to riding the waves...

In this report we follow a couple of self-confessed ‘old hand’ cruisers as they sample a modern take on holidaying afloat that’s quietly redefining the medium...

Our correspondent - Mrs. ‘M’ - gives us the inside scoop:

"Being forty-something’s and still wanting to be young (ish) and having been on three previous cruises of a more formal nature we decided to try the new , modern approach to cruising via the Ocean Village.

"On first sight of the ship in the harbour at Palma Majorca it was with very mixed feelings, you could hardly call the livery either ‘Grand’ or ‘Majestic’ - far too in your face for those words! I looked at my husband and I could see the same look on his face I am sure my own was portraying ‘what have we done?’

"Nevertheless we slapped on the smile and went to embark; we had flown in from Manchester on a good flight and were not feeling too jaded as you sometimes can after a charter flight. The welcome was a little bit odd as we had a lot of people in the area who were waiting to leave the ship sat with people just arriving to take over the cabins."

The Village Square

"Our cabin was actually on that deck but was not ready so we sat there after getting a much needed drink to take in our surroundings. We were on deck ‘P’ where the main reception desk and the magnificent stairway to the other levels is (known by those aboard as 'the Village Square'). Wow! This central area is truly lovely. It gives a very different feel to the ship on the inside; this is where you can use ‘Grand’ as in the beautiful piano set at the foot of the staircase, and ‘Majestic’ as in the whole feel of this central area as you look up through the levels and the bars and shops.

"We now felt much better, having at first thought it might have turned into a bit of a pie and peas afloat sort of ship! Having had a much needed drink from Charlie’s bar we were told that our cabin was ready. We went through to our cabin and opened the door into the biggest standard double cabin we have ever seen with a huge window!

"We were absolutely delighted with this, and such a surprise, we just didn’t expect so much of our own space. Everything was very clean and also quiet, those of you who have cruised before will know what I mean. You see some of the other ships we have sailed in have not been the newest and therefore things get chipped, worn or sometimes can be missing altogether! You usually find most of these things out when you are at sea, especially when you just need to sleep and you can’t because of the window rattling in the frames or the engine noise being unbearably loud!

"Any way I digress, once we got over this lovely surprise and had unpacked our things putting them in the very spacious wardrobe shelves combination and using the safe - free of charge - to put our valuables away we set off to search the rest of the ship. Holding hands and grinning like a couple of Cheshire cats we made our way back through the main foyer and up the stairs to look at the shops - especially the booze at the bazaar and jewellery in gems - and then on to find the arrears of the ship which appealed to us!"

Dressing For Dinner

"What a great choice there was on board for types of eating, I must admit we do like a bit of the old getting dressed up to go for dinner routine, although they promote themselves as being for the sporty young types who don’t ‘do cruising’ but by including a superb restaurant (the bistro) where you have to pay a nominal sum for the most delicious food and wines served with great style, they got it right for us. So we ate at the bistro twice in the week we were on board and well worth the extra payment! One of the meals I had the finest fillet steak and it was so thick I could have committed suicide by jumping off it! Delicious!

"I must say that it was our choice and we were given excellent options in the other eateries on board our other favourite being the plantation where we could choose to eat out on deck

"The bars on board were very popular and we struggled to get a seat in some as we were not out to eat and drink too early. So in the connexions bar with the comedians we never actually got to see them. However some of the other entertainment was exceptional. One night there was a ‘Blues Brothers’ tribute duo on in the marquee, great fun and we were able to dance too.

"Another night had a 'Kylie and Robbie' look-alike and sound-alike theme, another super night’s entertainment. There was a continuing song/dance/acrobatics staged ‘extravaganza’ which I tried really hard to enjoy but I’m afraid that some of it was just too strange! Although the individual elements were exceptional, as a whole trying to portray it as a story left me cold.

"The night time circus and high wire entertainment was super. We only visited the disco on the last night and that was when the ship had already docked in Palma for the next day departures. The casino though small was great fun, and especially when I won every time I went in, obviously beginners luck!

"The entertainment and bars were all good, but the service was a bit hit and miss compared to other ships where we only had to raise a hand and there was a waiter there, we had to wait 15 minutes one night when there were not that many people about, this is an area generally that needs to be addressed.

"The aim of our holiday was to relax and we had been on the itinerary on another ship, and as we had no urge to cycle or scuba dive or do anything at all sporty we did miss out on some of the unique aspects of this cruise, however the trips we did take were good, informative and enough free time to enjoy in your own way. The days we didn’t go on a trip we lazed in the sun around the adults-only pool, fantastic idea for those of us without the children/grandchildren with us. However the families on board seemed to be having a whale of a time at the family pool."

Overall Impression

"Generally we had a superb holiday, we were delighted with the choice of entertainment and food – and the food and drinks onboard were only a few yards away from any one of us the whole time. It was a gamble for us as we do so enjoy traditional cruising, but the gamble paid off. On a personal note I have told all our friends to try the Ocean Village as you really do choose to please yourself. We still love traditional cruising but it is great to know that we do have an alternative.

"We will sail with Ocean Village again and maybe do the Caribbean next time who knows!"

Ocean Village offers informal holidays at sea and ashore designed for a new generation of 35-55 year old UK travellers. Operating Mediterranean, Transatlantic, Caribbean and ‘Laughter’ cruises, the company’s vessels feature kids and swimming facilities, spas, a cinema, casino and nightclub - and loads more. Flights to Palma are offered from five regional airports, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Stanstead and Gatwick. Flight supplements are payable except for Manchester.

For more information on Ocean Village destinations, prices – or just to check out the cruise webcam (such a great idea!) follow this link.

More information available in Destinations, Exotic Islands, Cruises