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

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

Departing Corfu on 4th of May, ‘Cyber Space Shuttle’ Ocean Village was buzzing in anticipation of our first Planet show since the Caribbean!


The ship’s navigator had set the course and it looked set for a perfect lift-off for our spectacular deck show. Countdown started under perfect 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 first of the Med 2010 season – and the crowd went wild!


Michael Lobban
Hotel Director – Ocean Village

“Hip, hip, hooray” – Ocean Village celebrates its 7th birthday

On 28th of April 2003, Ocean Village was named by Ulrika Jonsson in Southampton and 7 years on in Piraeus, the gateway to Athens, we gave 3 cheers for Ocean Village’s 7th birthday.
Our passengers toasted the UK’s best-loved informal cruise brand throughout the day and continued partying into the evening as our “Big Night Out” party was combined with true Ocean Village-style birthday celebrations.

While the guests were celebrating on deck, behind the scenes we were busy organising a birthday barbecue for our crew. We chose the day at sea on the 30th April, after departing Heraklion, for the celebrations.

The birthday barbecue was a real success with a great turnout. Guest chefs for the occasion, keeping the grills topped up, were Food and Beverage Director Michael Shambley and yours truly!

A great event and enjoyed by all.

Michael Lobban
Hotel Director – Ocean Village

The historical highlight and must-snap Acropolis of Athens

As we set sail from Piraeus to Crete on the evening of Wednesday 28th April , a beautiful Nikon D60 camera equipped with a pretty high powered 18-250 Nikon lens was sitting on ‘The Bridge’ , where a shot too good to miss was there be taken!

The camera belonged to Gary Lugg our 1st Officer (Navigator) and the budding David Bailey was our Deputy Captain Darius Balana.

For those passengers that didn’t make it ashore to visit the Parthenon in Athens, this holiday-album shot really does put the size of the Parthenon into perspective – up close it looks like a giant guarding the ancient capital below however, as seen from the photograph, the surrounding landscape makes it miniscule.

Don’t forget to check back later in the week where I’ll be blogging about Ocean Village’s recent birthday celebrations.

Michael Lobban,
Hotel Director – Ocean Village

Ocean Village Photogs go 'snap-happy' at Giza!

Here at Ocean Village we like to combine business with pleasure where we can and a day at the world-famous Pyramids was the perfect opportunity for our on-board photography team.

At 07.00 the photographers made for a strange sight as they boarded their bus in Port Said armed with cushions and pillows – essential items for a day of snapping passengers, landmarks and ships of the desert!

The team split up at the Pyramids to ensure they got the best shots of our passengers but they did get a short break (pictured below) to appear on the other side of a lens!

Michael Lobban
Hotel Director - Ocean Village

Arriving into Port Said, gateway to the ancient ruins and priceless treasures of Cairo

In the early hours of Saturday 24th April we made our way alongside in Port Said (pictured). At around 08.30 our eager Action Ashore passengers left in an impressive convoy of coaches for Cairo. Some stepped back in time as they peered at Tutankhamun’s treasures and relics from ancient Egypt in the National Archaeological Museum while others opted to take in famous landmarks on a cruise along the River Nile.No visit to Cairo would be complete without a stop in Giza, home of the pointy Pyramids - the only surviving ‘Wonder of the Ancient World’ - and the diminutive Sphinx, and our passengers took the opportunity to get those all-important holiday snaps.

It was more present day than ancient world for me though. Along with a handful of passengers who seemed to enjoy having the ship more or less to themselves, I stayed on board and caught up with the paperwork.

Until next time,

Michael Lobban
Hotel Director - Ocean Village

Gold Radio took to the High Seas as Ocean Village became “The Boat That Rocked!”

The 15th of April was turnaround day for Ocean Village in Heraklion, Crete which was filled with uncertainty of the impact that the volcano erupting in Iceland would have in store for us. Scheduled to join us for the cruise was popular Gold radio DJ Dean Martin and a group of his faithful listeners. It was great to have Dean, his wife Michelle and their son Luke with us on board once again.

Our very first two flights from Gatwick, which included 112 dedicated Gold Radio fans, arrived to the ship safely. However, it soon became apparent that the volcanic ash would mean that our flights from Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester would not be permitted to take off from the UK. We waited to see if the situation improved and eventually left Heraklion 24 hours later.

Undeterred that Ocean Village was short of capacity by around 700 passengers and faced with a situation where our guest entertainers couldn’t be flown in or out to the ship, every evening between 7.00-8.30pm the Bayside became the party venue, where DJ Dean Martin could be seen – and heard – spinning some of his favourite tracks. A packed-out Bayside saw Gold fans dance the evening away while competing to be the ‘last man – or woman – standing’ for a piece of Gold radio memorabilia.
Dean contributed to the overall success of a fantastic cruise and even hosted an amazing 60s and 70s disco night onboard. He also took to the mic on our own radio station ‘Ocean Village Radio’, where he proved his weight in ‘Gold’.

An amazingly charismatic character Dean can be heard on Gold Radio in 4 different ways. For more information check out the website or go to the Listen Live facility on http://www.mygoldmusic.com/.

And if you’re interested in travelling with a DJ, Tony Blackburn is on board Ocean Village on June 3rd for pop quizzes and party nights on our ‘Myths and Mosaics’ itinerary.

Michael Lobban,
Hotel Director - Ocean Village

Ocean Village Fete

Hi,

Michael Lobban here with the final blog from our recent sailing from Barbados-Crete.

Our traditional Village Fete, despite the very blustery conditions and chilly weather on the Atlantic crossing, attracted stalls from every ship’s department with obscure stall names such as “Bat the Rat”, “Hmmmm….. Ahhhh”, “Snake in a Bottle”, “Got Ya!!!”, “Hoop-La”, “Sponge the Officer”, “Medieval Fruit Machine”, “Hook a Duck”, “Horse Racing”, “Thailand Special”, “Wax On, Strip Off”, “Tin Can Alley” and “Techies Challenge”. By visiting each stall in turn, passengers could have their score card marked and collect points for top-notch prizes at the end of the event.

Michael Lobban,

Hotel Director - Ocean Village

Ocean Village's Got Talent

The Ocean Village crew was in the spotlight during our crossing from Barbados to Heraklion - performing in a talent show worthy of Simon Cowell.
Twenty-two members of the ship’s company gave up their time to rehearse, rehearse and rehearse - and we discovered some really professional acts. There was everything from dance routines to classical guitar performances, from vocalists and tribute acts, with each of the acts going all out to impress the audience. Su-Bo watch out!

Check back soon for details of our Village Fete.

Michael Lobban,
Hotel Director - Ocean Village

Making a show of it!

Hi,

The Ocean Village crew pulled out all the stops on the crossing from Barbados to Heraklion.

There was a broad spectrum of entertainment on offer with great involvement from our crew, ranging from Asian Masterclass cooking classes in the Marquee to a seafood lunch sampler buffet in the Village Square, an intriguing demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving (can you see what it is yet?!) and a homage to the noble art of towel folding in the Village Square.

There was also ice carving, a navigational talk from the bridge officers, a Chocoholics’ Buffet with chocolate fountain in the Village Square, and the crowning glory, our very own Ocean Village crew talent show!

Make sure you check back soon for the blog on the Ocean Village Fete and the Ocean Village Crew Talent Show!

Michael Lobban,

Hotel Director - Ocean Village