Ocean Village Cruise > Reviews > Just returned

Author's product rating:   

Customer Service on Board	Outstanding
Activities on Board	Good fun
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Wide itinerary, excellent service
Disadvantages:	Some of the pre - booked excursions are pricey  -  take a taxi yourself

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

My husband and I have just returned from a 2 week Caribbean cruise on Ocean Village and we cannot fault it.

The transfers were smooth and trouble free and the ship was spotless. Service was second to none - we did not meet one member of staff who was not pleasant and smiling. Cabins are exceptionally spacious with separate shower room, dressing area, own fridge and safe (which are at no extra cost) and individually controlled air conditioning.

My husband is a very fussy eater, but even he thought the quality and choice of food excellent. One of the main advantages is that the ship is informal. No set mealtimes, sit where you want, when you want.

Well more info: No pressure whatsoever to "join in" - it is very much a do as you please cruise, but if you did want to go on any of the excursions most were available. We booked most of ours before we went, but quite a lot of people booked when they arrived and we also managed to book snorkelling with turtles for our last morning. We called at 11 islands altogether - Barbados, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Trinidad, Aruba, Curacao, Margarita, St Lucia and Tobago and had a day in each before sailing overnight to the next destination. I understand that Trinidad has been dropped from next year's itinerary along with another island (not sure which) and 2 others substituted. Ocean Village is, in fact, owned by P & O who in turn are part of the Carnival group so all the benefits of a large organisation were there. We paid around £1300 each for 2 weeks in an outside cabin - all the cabins were the same size (large) apart from the suites and we couldn't fault them. Drinks were normal bar prices (bit higher than Wetherspoons) but we certainly didn't feel ripped off by any aspect. A major benefit was that rather than having to queue at any of the bars (and even while watching any of the shows) bar staff would mingle among us and take our orders and bring them to our table. Hope this info is useful.

We would have no hesitation in booking another cruise with Ocean Village - in fact, I am looking into prices for next year already.