Farewell Sailing - The Big Goodbye

Keep an eye on your letterbox and inbox from Monday for exciting details of Ocean Village's Farewell Sailing - The Big Goodbye!

Ocean Village give Christmas cheer to St Kitts' Oprhanage

Once again Ocean Village pulled out all the stops to ensure that the children of the St Kitts' Orphanage had a great start to the Christmas period.

The Ocean Village Youth Team, headed up by manager Jade Dimech, took the reins and headed up an action-packed day for the children and carers who visited Ocean Village during our call to St Kitts on the 20th of December.

Prior to the visit collections had been made amongst the crew, where the bar department collected $400 and purchased Bijoux Terner watches for each child, and the restaurant department collected $500. The photographers donated 10 large picture frames to the Youth department and after a very talented painting competition from the passenger’s children, ten paintings and frames were auctioned off in the Village Square before our ‘Big Night Out’ celebrations, raising a total of $617! Over 150 Christmas gifts were purchased (using some of the donated money as well as crew member’s own purchases) then wrapped by the Youth Team and given out to the children during the Santa Claus’ visit. The balance of the funds was then handed over to the carer for the charity for orphanage repairs and upkeep.

The children’s day began as they were met in the port at 10.30, where they were taken on board and escorted up to the Splash Bar to be given sport soda bottles, which were duly filled by the bar staff. After a session of face painting, PlayStation and fun and games in Base Camp and sport nets it was time for lunch in Plantations, after which Paddington Bear came to visit and walk them to Sunweavers for ice cream and another soda bottle refill.

Next the children were entertained with a fantastic hour-long variety performance in the Marquee by the Freedom 2 Move cast and Jayne Middleton as Annie Lennox, which was hosted by our zany magician Gary Keates as Manuel Martinez. After the show it was down to the MovieDrome to watch the “G Force Space Guinea pigs” movie before Santa Claus arrived for his annual visit to hand out the presents! In addition, each child received a rucksack containing a watch (from the bar staff), sunglasses and other small items before lining up for a group photograph. We then presented the group leader with an envelope containing over $900 and also gave 4 boxes of donated, good quality, clothing, two pallets of crockery and other items no longer in circulation on board.
The day finished when sad and somewhat tearful farewells were said around 16.45.

The Ocean Village Officers and Crew sincerely hope that, as we shall not be around in the Caribbean for Christmas 2010, another P&O vessel would consider taking over this very rewarding event.

Michael Lobban,

Hotel Director

Ocean Village helps passenger become an Officer and a Gentlemen

Hi,

Clandestine planning and coordination across departments, brands and seas was called for recently when first time cruiser Michael Watson sought Ocean Village’s help as he prepared to ask the biggest question of his life.
Michael, who lives in York, had considered many different ways to propose to his girlfriend Sharon Fox but it was catching the end of the film “An Officer and a Gentleman” one night that sparked his imagination.

Michael contacted Ocean Village to ask if the team could help him dress up as an officer and propose during the couple’s cruise over a meal in the Bistro? The answer could only be yes, and we set about coordinating the enterprise. A suitable uniform was tracked down and sent across to the Ocean Village ship, a table was booked in the Bistro, music was organised and photographers arranged. The plan was in place!

Once the couple arrived on board, preparations were finalised while keeping everything under wraps from Sharon.

As Saturday 12 December dawned, the couple went swimming with dolphins ashore and the plan swung into action on board. By evening, the music was set, photographers were placed on a table close by “celebrating a birthday” and the officer’s uniform was hidden away in the back.
Michael and Sharon took their places in the Bistro and began their meal. Between courses, Michael excused himself for a few moments. In the Gent’s bathroom, a couple of helpers aided Michael’s transformation into a vision of an Officer and a Gentleman that would do Richard Gere proud. As Michael emerged, “Love Lifts Us Up where We Belong” came over the music system, and the whole restaurant seemed to hold its breath as he approached their table and gently touched Sharon on the shoulder. Sharon’s surprise and delight as she turned to see Michael resplendent in his uniform lit up the room. Michael got down on one knee and with the ring on a silver salver, asked if she would marry him. Without hesitation, Sharon said yes, to fulsome applause from all the Bistro diners and restaurant staff. The photographers whipped out their cameras to capture the moment.
Everyone at Ocean Village wishes the Michael and Sharon all the very best for their future together.

Alyn Baker,
Hotel Director, Ocean Village

Diamond Anniversary with Ocean Village

After 59 happy years of marriage, Joseph and Brenda Jones wanted to celebrate their Diamond Anniversary in a very special way.

The couple from Runcorn cruised with Ocean Village in 2008 to see if they would like it. They enjoyed it so much they came back a year later and we had the pleasure of making it an anniversary to remember.

A celebration meal in James Martin’s Bistro was organised to celebrate 60 glorious years of marriage, and to top it off a personalised card from HRH The Queen was delivered while they had Champagne breakfast on the Bridge with our some of our senior offices which included Captain Angelo Vago and Hotel Director Alyn Baker.

The couple met in 1948 when Joseph had left the army as one of Joseph’s friends was married to Brenda’s sister. They met at a leaving party for that friend and immediately started courting.

After 12 months of courting, Joseph popped the question in the unlikely place of a “Top Deck Bus” on the way back from a shopping trip to Warrington. Brenda said yes straight away but Joseph had the daunting task of seeking permission from Brenda’s father who luckily also said yes.

The wedding took place on the 10th December 1949 at St. Michaels Church in Runcorn and was a white wedding in a funny sort of way. Brenda wore blue, but outside it had been snowing so everywhere else was covered white! From there, they celebrated the marriage with a honeymoon in Blackpool.

Joseph says the secret of the lasting marriage is there are no secrets, a bit of give and take is needed and they are best friends. They have both lived in Runcorn all their lives and are both active especially when they both go sequence dancing which keeps them fit.

One of the reasons they chose Ocean Village is the informality of the cruise, the fact it is so easy going and you are not tied to times for the meals - “It’s fantastic” they both said.Alyn Baker,

Hotel Director, Ocean Village

Children in Need

Hello from Ocean Village,

Even though Ocean Village has just finished a busy Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean and commenced our first Caribbean ‘Beaches & Boardwalks’ cruise, we managed to put time aside to plan and organise a charity event for BBC’s Children in Need Appeal.
The event was carried over 2 days and featured some great events including:
· Art ware auction of our passengers children pictures,
· Sale of Ocean Village flip flops
· Guess the name of the Teddy
· A sponsored spin-a-long on a bike
· Slippery pole competition
· A main auction which included a sail away on the bridge with bubbly and an engine control
room visit along with dine with an officer
· Raffle
The Ship’s Company supported the event by dressing up as Little Brittan Characters and we even had Paddington bear helping us out as Pudsey was busy in the UK.

We managed to raise a fantastic total of £3604.80, which shows a great demonstration of team work and commitment from all departments to ensure that the whole event was successful.
The above picture shows two couples with Captain Hutley on the sail away, which raised a total of £750 alone.

Alyn Baker,

Hotel Director, Ocean Village

Ocean Village Two Farewell Comments

After an emotional farewell cruise for Ocean Village Two, I spoke to some of the key figures who made the cruise - and ship -go off with a bang:

"Ocean Village Two has been like a family and the experiences we have all gained will stay with us forever. Wherever we go in the future, we will have memories from Ocean Village Two that we can share. The ship's crew have every reason to be very proud of the great holidays they have created for our passengers."
Captain Angelo Vago, master of Ocean Village Two

"Its been a real privilege to be the Hotel Director on the final voyage of Ocean Village Two. The moral and determination of everyone on board to see Ocean Village Two go out with a bang has made me really proud of the ship and its crew."
Djalit Sharma - Hotel Director, Ocean Village Two

From left to right - Colin Pomeroy (Food and Beverage Director), Tim Newman (Entertainment and Retail Director), Tracy Clegg (Entertainment and Retail Director), Daljit Sharma (Hotel Director), Angelo Vago (Captain), Jim Lakin (Chief Engineer), Caroline Cromarty (Personnel Development Manager).

"I've had a great time working onboard Ocean Village Two and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on Ocean Village next year. I've especially enjoyed working with my team of Chefs and in particular Yuri who's develop so well as a chef over the years."
James Martin - Celebrity TV chef
Paul

Ocean Village Two Farewell Cruise - Part 9, The Finale from the Farewell Concert

Hi again,

Paul Wright here with my final personal blog from Ocean Village Two's farewell cruise.

As we rehearsed the final night show it dawned on all of us in the theatre that this really was the final event we would work on together on Ocean Village Two. There was a really strange feeling between the team as we built the stage set, especially as it's a replica of the ship.

The show started at 10.30pm and the theatre was full to the gunnels. First on were our resident singers Katy Reilly, Chlor Du Pre and Simon Ledger we then introduced Will Martin who sang Nights In White Satin. Like a true tenor, he finished the song in Italian, to great cheers from the audience. Jaki Graham then came on stage and the dancefloor sprang to life when she sang "Ain't Nobody (does it better than you)".The Double Impact boys then took over with a disco medley which kept the audience on its feet and then Steve Larkins came on to close the show with his Freddie Mercury tribute act. He dedicated "We Are The Champions" to all the crew and passengers and as he came to the end of the song a procession of crew from all departments made their way to the stage to join in with the final chorus. This was a really emotional scene as the crew and audience hit the last notes together. There were people in the audience in tears as the confetti exploded to signal the end of what had been a truly fitting way to send Ocean Village Two off to its new home.
It's been great being on board for Ocean Village Two's farewell cruise and I hope you've enjoyed reading my blogs as much as I've enjoyed writing them.

Please check back regularly as we will be adding some more quotes, events and images from what truly was an incredible farewell cruise.

All the best,
Paul

Ocean Village Two Farewell Cruise - Part 8, Will Martin joins Ocean Village Two

Hi everyone,

Will Martin rose to fame when his debut album ‘A New World’ achieved double platinum status in his native New Zealand, and upon release in the UK it debuted at Number 1, making him the youngest tenor in musical history to reach the top of the classical charts. But before that he had been regularly seen on board Ocean Village where he performed as lead vocalist, and at one point there had been a scramble of record companies pursuing Will around the Caribbean to sign him up. So naturally we are delighted to welcome Will back on board for Ocean Village Two’s farewell cruise.
He gave an ‘Up Close and Personal’ informal chat to passengers along with a live performance singing hits from his Number 1 album as well as some of his favourite songs by Elton John, Billy Joel and Crowded House.
Will performed as the opening vocalist in the Village Square during Ocean Village Two’s inaugural events and naming ceremony back in April 2007, and he will be taking to the ship’s stage one last time as part of the final night show. So having been the first, Will will also be the last vocalist to sing on board Ocean Village Two. Which feels sort of appropriate…

Paul Wright

Ocean Village Two Farewell Cruise - Part 7

Hi again from Ocean Village Two’s farewell cruise.

‘Roll up! Roll up!’ was the cry as the Captain and Ocean Village staff were joined by passengers on a packed top deck for a fun-filled village fete.
The staff hosted different themed activities including ‘Bat The Rat’, ‘Ball in the Hole’ and ‘Hook a Duck’ where the passengers competed against each other to win some great prizes, with the top prize up for grabs being an Action Ashore tour of their choice in either Langkawi or Singapore.

Tracy Clegg, our Entertainment and Retail Director, even took to the stocks where passengers threw wet sponges for the chance to score a point on their scorecard!
The Ocean Village spirit lives on!

Paul

Ocean Village Two Farewell Cruise - Part 6, James Martin takes to the stage

Thursday 5th November saw Sweet Baby James take to the Marquee stage on board Ocean Village Two to show budding chefs some tricks of the trade.
It was just like an on board version of his BBC hit show ‘Saturday Kitchen’. Gastro-maestro James was assisted by Kenny, who has worked in James’ on board Bistro as Head Chef, to demonstrate how to cook the perfect steak commenting “the steak should be soft enough to eat with a spoon”.
At the end of his hour-long demonstration James showed the crowd how to spin sugar before taking the time to meet the passengers, and sign copies of his book and souvenir plates from the Bistro as well as pose for memento photographs for over an hour, something which was hugely appreciated by the passengers.
Top celebrity TV chef James will be back on stage over the next couple of days in an ‘Up Close and Personal’ chat show to talk about his appearance on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as well as his prime-time BBC show ’Saturday Kitchen’.

Paul