Olympia? Wine Tasting? Or a stroll ashore for lunch!

Here we are alongside in Katakolon with the prospects of a lovely sunny day in this small, idyllic Greek port. The day has started well - there’s not a breath of wind in the air and the thought of a nice Greek salad lunch is on the cards!

For our passengers this should be a highlight as the port is a hop, skip and jump to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games believed to have originated back in 776BC. Here you can don your trainers and sprint along the original track in the stadium where the marble starting blocks are still in place - so hopefully the passengers will be able to take some more fond memories – and holiday snaps - back home when they return to the UK.

The less energetic (or those who’ve seen Olympia before) have the option of a casual stroll through the vines and pine woods overlooking the sparkling Ionian Sea at the nearby Mercouri vineyard. What a way to spend a leisurely morning with the added bonus of being able to sample their wines accompanied with some local cheeses and hams.

For me however, with most passengers ashore, I’m taking the opportunity to enjoy a short stroll and a light Greek salad, tzatziki, large fresh grilled prawns, golden fried calamari, chicken souvlakia and a saganaki before returning on board to continue with my duties.

This was the view from our table in the restaurant (photo courtesy of Jeff Talbot Chief Engineer with technical assistance given by Gordon Morgan SETO).

Michael Lobban
Hotel Director – Ocean Village

A busy day on the water as we sailed into the architectural jewellery box that is Venice!

Sailing in - or out - of Venice is always a highlight of any cruise and Sunday the 16th of May was no exception for our eagerly awaiting passengers on board Ocean Village.

It was a busy day as we shared neighbouring berths with some of Carnival’s bigger cruise ships, which made it like a big family reunion. Carnival’s other ships were: The Ruby Princess (Princess Cruises), the Westerdam (Holland America) and the Costa Serena (Costa Crociere. Also alongside were the MSC Musica and the Windstar.

It was a tight fit passing bridge on bridge with the Ruby Princess as we reversed out of the berth! In the background, although not really clear in the photograph were the snow capped peaks of the Alps – no wonder some passengers were wrapped in fleeces!

This picture shows Costa’s Serena as she made her passage out to sea and dwarfed the buildings to her port and starboard sides.

The below picture shows Piazzetta San Marco, which as always was a hub of activity with the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), a splendid example of Venetian Gothic architecture. The Doge's Palace was the seat of government of the former Venetian Republic and the principal facades of the palace overlook the Piazetta. The Bridge of Sighs (just out of shot) is adjacent to the Doge’s Palace, where legend says that from this bridge one could hear the sighs of the condemned as they were being led to prison.

The atmosphere as we sailed out past these magnificent sights was enhanced by some fantastic music ranging from classical through Andrea Bocelli and on to Sarah Brightman as passengers sipped away at glasses of Moёt et Chandon Champagne on board that were on offer during our special sail-away promotion!

Michael Lobban
Hotel Director – Ocean Village