Hi Rose,

Many thanks for your help. This happened aboard the Island Star last year and was fine. Just that I'd read on a site somewhere (and, of course, can't find it now) that "you don't see your cases until arriving at Gatwick after having put them "out" the night before". By the way Island Star we couldn't fault in any way - brilliant.

Jan

Although in the past we've had to put our cases on the coach ourselves, (Thomsons) they have the security seal over them to say they haven't been opened since the night before so generally you can't open your case at all once you pack it the night before (although I think people get round this by getting new security seals from reps at the quayside).

However in the case of Ocean Village, when we were on in August, you didn't even see your cases until you got to your arrival airport (in our case Gatwick).

Cases were put outside the night before, then at a certain time the next morning, around 7am (depending on flight time), one member from each cabin had to take tickets and passports to the show lounge where check-in staff had come onboard and we were 'checked in' for the flight and issued our seat numbers and boarding cards. We then spent the day on the ship until we were called whereupon we disembarked, got on the coaches and headed to the airport (our cases had already been taken). We went straight into the airport and straight up to passport control and through to the departure lounges without having to 'check in' again so be prepared that there's a chance you won't see your luggage at all until you land in the UK.

So be prepared for the last day: don't wear pyjamas the night before, wear the minimal amount of make-up, stay in the same clothes all day however late your flight is and be prepared to lug stuff around (like tongs). I've just put this in a reply to your PM but for the sake of others reading through in the future, my tip is to buy a cabin trolley case to fit in all the necessaries on the last day and carry onboard as hand luggage.

Many thanks for your help

Merged with existing topic.

luci

i have been trying on and off for almost a year.
it is only about 6 times via their website but i have still never had a single response. i have even written to their headquarters.
i don't like phoning places up.
does anyone have an email address as on the website it is more of a form.

cheers

Hi
This is Thomas Cooks ship, so call in and they will probably be able to give you some info.
Liz.

hi thought it was an offspring of p & o?
i was in TC the other day and they gave me the address in southampton and the website of OV. they said that was all i had or i could phone the number. tried that but lines were "very busy"

at the mo, all i want to know is that if i book "action ashore" with them now, and then on board i wish to change the time or location of the excursion, can i?
i wouldnt cancel the excursion completely as i know i would lose the money. it is just in case i book a morning excursion and then there is something interesting on the ship that morning and nothing in the afternoon.

Most cruise ships you can cancell any pre booked excurtion once onboard.

If this is not possible with OV then consider a different line next time

from the website

"A cancellation fee of 10% will be charged on any excursion cancelled by passengers on board before bookings close. We regret that we are unable to refund the cost of excursions that are cancelled by passengers after bookings close, generally 24 hours prior to arrival in the relevant port"

So a 10% charge if cancelled up to 24hr which is more than the norm on cruiselines, book on board.

Ocean Village is a Carnival brand, OV was a ship transfered from the P&O fleet.

Sorry I misinformed you, I was told that info by a friend (who obviously doesn't know what theyr'e talking about!)

Hi windjammer
How did your recent Cruise go?

Liz.

Sorry I misinformed you, I was told that info by a friend (who obviously doesn't know what theyr'e talking about!)

No probs, marketing does this, if you trace the brands/websites back to origin there are not a lot out there, try looking up an abta/atol number sometimes 20+ brands under the same main company.

Cruise went well seperate review when I get time very busy at work this week.

Does anyone know when the O.V. brochure will be out covering Easter 09 ? Thomson's has been out a few weeks.

what does it mean by "soft soled, non-slip shoes" which it states to wear for practically every excursion OV organises.
does it just mean trainers?

Thats all I wore
kath x

that's what i thought but my missus is convinced there is some other type of non-slip soft-soled shoe we need to buy.

We have been directed to the "Cotton Traders" site for suitable footwear. My wife was very impressed with their range.

Hi,
my parents are going on an ocean village cruise leaving on Xmas eve they are doing the Reggae & Rainforests 14 night cruise, has anyone got any experience of this cruise or know ehere i might find reviews etc, regarding the do's and dont's for the trip, are there any excursions to be avoided, or must do excursions not to be missed...you get the picture.
any help would be really appreciated.
thanks Rich

Hi Rich and welcome to HT!

You can read reviews of the OV by clicking on Cruise Reviews at the top of the page.

If you list the ports your parents will be visiting, some of our members may be able to help. You could also enter the name of the port into our Search facility at the top of the page and select hte Cruise foum and Posts instead of Topics and this will return all mention of the port in our discussion forums.

Once you reply to this topic I shall merge it with the existing topic on OV where you will find further information on the ship.

I take it you mean Ocean Village and not Ocean Village Two as they are two separate ships?

luci

Hi

I think the reggae and rainforest is a new cruise itinery on OV1. I am joining the ship on 1st Jan for two weeks. I am looking forward to seeing the refit.

Not sure whether to take the malaria tablets though

Biff

Hi

We are also on OV1 on the 1st January. Has it had a refit. Its been 2 years since I was last on this ship.

Nicole