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