Archive for the ‘Cruise Vacations’ Category

Planet takes off again as we blast into orbit for another space adventure!

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
May 16 2011
Departing Corfu on fourth of May possibly, ‘Cyber Space Shuttle’ Ocean Village was buzzing in anticipation of our 1st Planet show considering that the Caribbean!


The ship’s navigator had set the course and it looked set for a excellent lift-off for our spectacular deck show. Countdown began under best conditions and aerialists, dancers, singers, acrobats and a group of space travellers from the talented ‘Freedom 2 Move’ dance troupe, took off at precisely 21.30, leaving Earth behind to explore the mysteries of Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune!

Delighted passengers witnessed an electrifying mix of international circus acts, stilt-walkers and acrobats from decks 12 and 14 in a musical, aerial and visual extravaganza.

This hi-octane performance was the initial of the Med 2010 season – and the crowd went wild!


Michael Lobban
Hotel Director – Ocean Village

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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Bikes ‘r’ Us!

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
May 16 2011

Issues are hotting up in the saddle and, as the warmer temperatures in the Med slowly emerge so are the budding off-roaders who appreciate a trip out with our Biker Boys on Ocean Village. Here on Ocean Village we have 42 bikes and they are run under the capable management of Andy Burford the Bike Manager and Trevor Adeline our Bike Guide.
The bike rides are graded according to difficulty so that passengers can feel as energetic as they wish. Whether or not you’re riding by way of picturesque olive and orange groves or passing tall Cypress trees and fragrant eucalyptus woods you can soak in the countryside and savour nature at its finest. If medieval city walls and renowned Roman sites are your cup of tea, then an Ocean Village biking trip will tick the box – 1 of the rides even pay a visit to a neighborhood winery!

Most of our biking tours give the prospect of a cooling swim in the course of the ride and as you can see from the below photo taken in Katakolon on the 19th Might, the sea and sandy beaches look really welcoming indeed.

Michael Lobban,
Hotel Director, Ocean Village

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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A Sunny Santorini on the 9th of June

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
May 07 2011

Mirror-like seas and a hazy hue over the caldera was the early-morning welcome to the idyllic, picture postcard anchorage below the tiny cliff-top settlement of Fira. If you’ve in no way visited Santorini you will marvel at the volcanic landscape, the black sand beaches, the red color lava rocks and the gorgeous white houses built on the cliffs of the volcano. This is Santorini, with little white churches atop soaring cliffs, deep blue skies Santorini is genuinely the zenith of a Greek island cruise expertise. As we cruised into the caldera, the morning started somewhat cloudy but it was clear that any cloud coverage was going to blow over as the morning progressed.
Right now was 1 of only three calls that Ocean Village is creating this year and, as each and every call to Santorini does, it didn’t disappoint our passengers who were swiftly dispatched in varying directions by some fairly impressive, new shoreside boats.

All of our excursions from Santorini are guaranteed to please and the breathtaking scenery is just very wonderful. You can absorb so considerably in such a brief time and, to go to the finest viewpoints with ease, a tour is a need to to totally appreciate the scenery.

1 of our tours starts with a quickly boat trip to the port of Athinios where, from here, the windy road takes you up to the Mountain of Prophet Elijah, the highest point on the island. Following this there is a go to to see the classic Greek Aghios Nectarios Church.

Following a quick comfort quit at the Santo Winery, where there is also the chance to sample the local nectar, it is onward on a never ending journey of natural beauty.

(The above photo is of the view from the Santo Winery, an unparalleled balm for the soul)
Lunch on the excursion is taken in a lovely taverna known as Pyrgos and entrance is gained via a rather quirky make-up of a modest Grecian windmill. From inside, the view to the anchorage where Ocean Village lay peacefully in the far distance was on the left, to the right the plains searching down towards the airport and, away in front, the capital town of Fira perched high on vertical cliffs overlooking the caldera.


All too soon the whistle-quit tour was at an end and the last journey back to the ship lay ahead. Another picturesque winding road and then, from Fira, a short transfer by cable-car back down to the small port area in the distance below.(The above photograph is courtesy of our onboard photo team and is taken from the idyllic clifftop village of Oia)

Whilst waiting for the cable vehicle

Homeward bound
Michael Lobban, Hotel Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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The London Marathon, Deon Du Preez and the British Sailors’ Society!

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Apr 26 2011

When Deon Du Preez left Ocean Village on the 18th of March for a properly deserved vacation right after a full contract as Finance Officer he really should have been resting but this wasn’t to be! It was full on training up to readiness for the London Marathon on the 25th of April.

His fitness training regime started back on board Ocean Village in November of 2009 and, by the time March came around he’d completed over 300 miles albeit on the ship’s treadmills. Just just before Deon was due to leave in March he developed an injury identified as “runners’ knee” caused by over training and this injury left him small time to do any of his planned road training. He tried running once again 3 weeks before the race and only managed five kilometers just before his knee went again, therefore he subsequently went into the race not understanding if he would even be able to finish!

Sunday the 25th of April came and it was a very apprehensive Deon who produced his way out of his hotel in London, where he had to leave his girlfriend Kerry behind on her birthday, and on to his assigned beginning point, red, section 9, proper at the back. There are three beginning points around London, red is the primary body of runners, blue is for the elite and green is categorised for wheelchairs and ‘fast for the age’. Between the three categories the total number of runners for the London Marathon 2010 was approximately 56,000!

The beginning gun sounded at 09.30 and the runners were off. Thankfully nonetheless, even though the starting gun sounds, the individual runners’ times does not start off to be recorded until the individual crosses the actual starting line. This is just as nicely due to the fact with 56,000 runners all starting on a line, the line and indeed the streets of London would have to be about sixty kilometers wide!

So, the gun had been sounded and the very first contestants began over the starting line. It was no reflection on Deon’s prowess as a runner but he eventually crossed the starting line at 10.15 (45 minutes soon after the start of the race!) and this is testimony to the bottleneck effect of moving such an enormous quantity of folks at one time.

The race was on and Deon was off and running, attempting to do his best for his chosen charity, The British Sailors’ Society, for whom he successfully raised £1,400 via his efforts.
Winding his way by way of runners dressed as Camels, Beer Bottles, Storm Troopers and Firemen, Deon crossed the finishing line just in front of a Fullers Beer Bottle!

How did he do? Congratulations Deon, an extremely respectable time of 4 hours, fifteen minutes and fourteen seconds! Out of the 56,000 runners he completed as the 14,822nd and his half way time was a really excellent time of 1 hour, fifty-nine minutes and forty-four seconds! Properly accomplished from all of us at Ocean Village and, by the way, “welcome back on board”. Yes, Deon is back on board as Financial Controller.

So how was it Deon? “I was extremely apprehensive to start due to my knee but I had tears in my eyes as I ran up the last stretch to the finish line, quite emotional, I couldn’t think I had finished and in a reasonable time!”

Michael Lobban, Hotel Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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The cruise when the King of the Jungle reverted to the King of the Jingle

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Apr 25 2011

From

To

The month of June has been a excellent one for Ocean Village and we’ve observed the summer climes catch up with us in Mediterranean waters at last. It’s also been a very good one with a fantastic line-up of entertainment, but for me the highlight was the cruise starting on the 3rd of June by means of until the 10th when an Ocean Village favourite and a personal favourite of mine cruised with us, celebrity and ever well-liked DJ and King of the Jungle, Tony Blackburn.
As Tony boarded Ocean Village in Heraklion, he actually thought he was coming to Palma and was surprised when he landed at an airport that he found challenging to pronounce, a passenger approached him and said, “you look just like Tony Blackburn, are you 1 of the tribute acts?”. “Yes”, replied Tony, “I am. I’m appearing as myself!”
We did indeed have a star studded line up of tribute acts from Jayne Middleton as Annie Lennox, Steve Larkins as Freddie Mercury and Kelly O’Brien as Dolly Parton. All are favourites of mine but, on this cruise the star and gentleman of the week must go to our really own, all-original, Tony.
Hosting an excellent, electrifying evening of music in our nightclub Bayside, Tony was back spinning the discs and nostalgia ruled the waves. On one more evening he hosted a pop music quiz in Connexions and I have by no means ever observed Connexions so packed for a quiz. The banter flowed and off the cuff jokes and anecdotes spun as fast as his discs did the prior evening. Sailing from Piraeus the Marquee filled for an, “Up Close and Individual with Tony Blackburn” and Tony amused all with replies to questions posed from the chair occupied by Events Team hostess Donna Randles.

In the course of his exchange with Donna, Tony talked about his time as a DJ with the famous pirate radio station Radio Caroline, his times with Radio 1 and how he rehearsed his opening words for the first broadcast, and his selection for the initial record ever played on Radio 1, The Move with “Flowers in the Rain”.

Tony then updated us on his moves to date and of course the “Jungle” was not to be missed out and he gave an incredible insight into the filming and his life in the Jungle. How he had collected wood for the fire and, due to the fact he had collected so considerably at 1 point, the producers decided to remove most of it one night! As the crowd chuckled away he then explained that he’d been upset at the loss as he’d had an affinity for the logs he had collected and, when he subsequently discovered some of them once again down by the stream he instantly recognised them and he felt it was like being reunited with old pals.

Our last night of the cruise, departing from Santorini, Tony was back behind the microphone as host on our quite own Ocean Village Radio. OV Radio is transmitted into all passenger cabins on channel three and of course live in the Village Square where an audience had gathered to watch the idol of a lot of, perform in his inimitable style.
Thank-you Tony for bringing us so a lot warmth and charm and for sharing your personal experiences of your life with us here on Ocean Village.
Michael Lobban, Hotel Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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The Big Goodbye – Heraklion

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Apr 02 2011

What a rollercoaster of emotions for Ocean Village, the Final Farewell cruise had arrived at last and with it came feelings of excitement, disappointment, sadness and pride as the ship arrived in Heraklion for its final turnaround. “See more, do more, be more” was soon to be ‘no more’.

Excitement on the faces of the loyal OV devoted passengers who had been about to embark on their trip of lifetime but disappointment from passengers and crew that it would be the final ever cruise. There was sadness onboard at having to say goodbye to the youth and biking team and the Heraklion ground crew but it was filled with pride at what we have achieved over the last few years of Ocean Village.

At 7pm the entertainment commenced on Top Deck for what promised to be a Farewell Extravaganza with performances from the neighborhood Greek musicians and dancers, the resident singers, the Freedom 2 Move aerialists with their fire juggling and the International classical singing sensations the All Angels who had been flown specifically for this 1 off performance!
They certainly didn’t disappoint and genuinely had voices of angels dedicating their performance of “I’ll Fly Away” to the passengers and crew of Ocean Village on this Farewell Voyage.


There wasn’t a dry eye on the deck!

After a number of enthusiastic bursts on the ships whistle Captain Charlie Carr threw the lines and Ocean Village departed on the start off of her final voyage to Singapore!

Tracy – Entertainment and Retail Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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Ocean Village Crowned No.1 Cruise Line by Top Cruise Website!

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Mar 26 2011

I’m genuinely chuffed by some great news that is just reached me – Ocean Village has hit the number 1 spot as Greatest Cruise Line line in rankings just announced by the independent internet site www.cruise.co.uk.

Although it is wonderful to have won the top spot overall, what’s even nicer is that Ocean Village came top for having the very best staff on board of all the cruise lines – that makes all of us really feel truly proud, and we’ll be wanting to keep things that way through to our farewell sailing in the Autumn.

See the post by clicking here

Michael Lobban

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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The Big Goodbye – At Sea

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Mar 26 2011

The sun was out the sky was blue and Ocean Village had began her final voyage.

Fantastic weather was the perfect begin to the first of our enjoyable packed and fun filled sea days – the decks were busy with passengers relaxing in the sunshine and the ship was a hive of activity as people discovered their way around once again, organised their Action Ashore tours in the fabulous ports of call and ensured that they got their all essential table booked in James Martin’s Bistro restaurant for the final time, specifically as James is due to visit in the course of this farewell cruise.

The programme was packed full of activities which includes seminars and sporting activities, art classes and acupuncture demos, cooking demonstrations and quizzes, dance lessons and darts.

Passengers had been thrilled at the chance to play darts with former expert darts champion – Keith Dellar. The Oval pub was packed with keen players and onlookers as they tried to get the highest score with three darts and beat the champ.

Right after a day of sunshine, relaxation and activity there was another fantastic evening of entertainment ahead with the 1st of our tribute shows. The Marquee lounge became a rock concert style venue as we welcomed Steve Larkins performing his Tribute to Freddie Mercury of Queen – Mercury Rising.


The finale of the show was complete with passengers waving their Union Jack flags to the sounds of the classic song “We are the Champions”.

As the passengers left the lounge with flags in hand 1 lady turned to me and asked “Is it going to be like this every single night…? it was so emotional! The initial two nights have made my cry – its just so sad that Ocean Village is going…it is my fourth time onboard and this is my friends first time and she’s loving it already”

Over in Connexions it was comedy night and Dave Buck who had everybody in fits of laughter with his clever use of comedic talents with two hilarious shows.

We all had the luxury of an additional hour’s sleep as the clocks went back an hour in preparation for Port Said – the gateway port for Cairo and an additional momentous day in Ocean Village’s journey.

Tracy – Entertainment and Retail Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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The Big Goodbye – Safaga

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Feb 26 2011

Another early begin for over 1000 passengers choosing to walk like an Egyptian and follow in the footsteps of the Ancient Egyptians to see the breathtaking monuments of Karnak and Luxor.

Passengers created their way from the gateway port of Safaga to explore some of the largest ancient religious web sites in the world which includes the Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Temple.

The weather conditions had been idyllic with sunshine skies and though an additional lengthy and tiring day passengers enjoyed the halls, tombs, statues, pillars and hieroglyphics. Other people enjoyed an unforgettable desert expertise at a conventional Bedouin camp as part of a Desert Jeep safari tour!

On their return, the Freedom 2 Move performers performed their raunchy , sexy show Fever for the final ever time – the Marquee lounge was treated to performances from our singers, dancers and aerialists and was the initial in the collection of shows from Freedom 2 Move in the course of the crossing.

Tracy – Entertainment and Retail Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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The Big Goodbye – Port Said

Cruise Vacations | Posted by waystowatch
Feb 24 2011

The morning started bright and early at 7am as the first passengers wiped the sleep out of their eyes to meet for their exciting day on tour in Cairo – the sphinx, pyramids and museum had been just some of the fascinating highlights in store in the course of their long and dusty day.

Two convoys – a total of 16 coaches left under police escort to make their way on the 3 hour journey to see the wonders of the world. The weather conditions had been perfect with bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine which produced for ideal conditions in order to see the tourist attractions that Cairo has to give.

Fortunately husbands managed to keep hold of their wives even so, that didn’t quit the locals bartering them for camels.

Soon after a lengthy day the hotel team were ready to welcome them back to the port and there was just time for some last minute souvenir shopping from the local vendors just before acquiring back onboard.

All the passengers commented that it had been a extremely long and tiring day but that it had been worth every minute and each penny.

Tracy – Entertainment and Retail Director

Boat Buddy Cruise Blog

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