A Visit To Ocean Village

There is really very little to criticise about this ship - or the 'new' holiday concept for P&O (of which Ocean Village Holidays is a division of) - hardly surprising as they have been in the cruise business for many years and their Australian operations run along a similarly relaxed theme.

Ocean Village is not for the traveller seeking a conventional cruise holiday. This is cruising on a very relaxed basis - going one step further than schemes such as Norwegian Cruise Lines 'Freestyle Cruising' with no 'dressing up', no set meal times and buffet style for most restaurants. Additionally Ocean Village Holidays offers the option of a week ashore and week at sea all combined into one seamless package.

There are already several ships operating along a similar theme; however where Ocean Village will score is the quality and size of the ship - there simply is no comparison! Public rooms are large and comfortable. Cabins similarly are of very high quality (fantastic for the brochure prices) with more than ample storage space.

Some public spaces can be traced back to Ocean Village's prior life as a North American cruise ship and it would be nice to have seen some of the aluminium and 'grey' of that time removed. Similarly the ship's prior life as P&O's 'Arcadia' is also evident in some areas but these areas blend well with the newly refitted 'jazzy' Ocean Village spaces. Colour schemes for the new areas are bright and cheerful.

The only really disappointing area is the Waterfront Restaurant which is the main restaurant. Decor here is more reminiscent of a 1970's seaside tea-rooms than a stylish eating place - this really is not helped by the very warm orange colour scheme and extensive use of bench seating. One must temper this with the fact that with the exception of 'the Bistro' all restaurants are self serve - so you can always eat elsewhere! - and both the 'Plantation' and 'La Luna' restaurants have a far more pleasant and contemporary atmosphere.

One has to wonder if the 'Bistro' restaurant, the only waiter serviced restaurant (at a supplement), will be more popular than expected; if this is the case it is probably too small - time will tell.

For those who like the finer things in life this is not the ship for them (and does not pretend to be).

For those who want a more relaxed cruise experience more similar to a resort holiday or perhaps those who want to try out cruising for the first time without spending a 'fortune' there probably is not a better ship to choose!

Review and photographs by Stephen Shirley

For further information on Ocean Village & Ocean Village Holidays click here