Hi, just back off the Ocean Village Caribbean (2 weeks).
In answer to your questions;
99% of the OV excursions are good. We only had one we didn't like - river rafting in Dominica. Its not a gentle float and you will be lucky if you survive it without injury - although apparently it was not normally as bad as it was when we were there. No consolation to me, though!
If you don't want to pay that much money (they are a bit steep for some things) there are loads of taxis at every port - without exception. They are great for showing you around the Island. Some have fixed fares, some dont, some are single taxis and some are small minibuses that they will fill before you leave. Prices vary hugely - normally the first you come to are really expensive, then prices drop 5 minutes walk away. All our taxi drivers/guides spoke English and were REALLY nice. They new loads - you would go to the top sites but they would also stop along the way at view points and just to show you trees, plants, animals - anything of interest! Prices varied from $25 for half a day per person up. One person wanted $120 for half a day which is ridiculous, but we managed to get cheaper. Only tip is if it is a minibus make sure you dont end up sitting there boiling while they fill the minibus!!
Our highlight was a minibus - a local called Skippy in Dominica who took us to Trafalgar falls. Look out for him - he only has one leg but took us rock scrambling and pulled us all over the rocks to get right to the falls!! (wear trainers!!)
The only island I did a tour of and wasn't impressed at was Isla Margarita. It was a bit of a barren, boring, rocky desert.
Every port bar one (if memory serves) is in walking distance of a town. Can't remember the name of the odd-one-out but it did have a nice beach in walking distance, and plenty of taxis.
Alcohol is taken from you as you go on the boat and returned the night before you fly back. They just don't want you drinking it on board
Seasickness - just take tablets - stugeron or something. It was rougher than the Canaries when we were there but only actually rough one night. The rest of the time we had one smooth week and one week with a little bit of a swell - didn't get seasick but you knew you were on a boat - normally I forget!!!
Last tip - touristy gifts (Tshirts etc) are sold everywhere except Grenada (that only sells spices) - everywhere has stalls by the boat. Prices vary from Island to Island - 2 or 3 places sell Tshirts 3 for $10, but all the last week (depending which way round you do the cruise!) will sell you 1 for $10. My tip is buy presents when you see them cheap - you might not get the chance again.
Oh and by the way, prepare yourself for Grenada. Its a lovely island but it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan and its taking a long time to recover.
Hope that helps!!!!
Gemma.
Hi Gemma
Thanks for the report. If you would like to right a review of the Ocean Village you can do so here:
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/cruise-reviews/ocean-village-cruises/ocean-village/
Thanks
luci
Thanks for the report. If you would like to right a review of the Ocean Village you can do so here:
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/cruise-reviews/ocean-village-cruises/ocean-village/
Thanks
luci
going on the ocean village in april anybody upgraded there cabin when they got on board and was it cheeper than doing it here.
Hi all,
I hope no one minds but I have also posted this in the Barbados forum and the question kinda relates to 2 seperate issues.
We are getting married in november and will probably do a week in Barbados then a weeks cruise , probably on the Ocean village. Could anyone answer these questions please?
1. As the Ocean village will be the honeymoon we are thinking of booking the best cabin, but at a price of £1,500 each , any ideas to get a good deal? we cannot do a late booking as things need to be organised.
2. The cruise and stays that the Ocean village do but as we are getting married there we would like a better hotel that does weddings, can anyone reccomend one ? We are trying to work out whether to book the flights with the hotel or with the cruise( if you see what I mean) or even book flights seperate, any ideas here ?
3. As we are youngish the Ocean village sound good but any other suggestions please?
4. Whats all this about no own drinks on board???? We are partial to a drop or 2 or vodka and as we have paid fortunes for room with balcony it would be nice to sit on it and just chill out
drinking vodka on our own.
Can we buy a bottle of vodka on board and if so how much. Failing that I have devised a plan wherby I could fill up an empty 2 litre bottle of water with vodka purchased ashore and smuggle this on board, would this work??? it does in the bingo
5. Which cruises have all inclusive option? do they sail from barbados and are they worth it?
6. BARBADOS Whats the best and cheapest time to go?
Whats the best place to get married, we would prefer all inclusive but not one that closes at 10pm.
7. Any wedding tips, what do we wear?Can we get married somewhere apart from the Hotel and is this easily arranged?
8. Did I mention this before, Money saving ideas please?
I realise that this is a lot to ask but organising wedding on a budget is more difficult than we thought. Both our parents will also be going but just staying in Barbados for a few weeks without the cruise.
Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreaciated.
Many Thanks
Mark and Gemma
I hope no one minds but I have also posted this in the Barbados forum and the question kinda relates to 2 seperate issues.
We are getting married in november and will probably do a week in Barbados then a weeks cruise , probably on the Ocean village. Could anyone answer these questions please?
1. As the Ocean village will be the honeymoon we are thinking of booking the best cabin, but at a price of £1,500 each , any ideas to get a good deal? we cannot do a late booking as things need to be organised.
2. The cruise and stays that the Ocean village do but as we are getting married there we would like a better hotel that does weddings, can anyone reccomend one ? We are trying to work out whether to book the flights with the hotel or with the cruise( if you see what I mean) or even book flights seperate, any ideas here ?
3. As we are youngish the Ocean village sound good but any other suggestions please?
4. Whats all this about no own drinks on board???? We are partial to a drop or 2 or vodka and as we have paid fortunes for room with balcony it would be nice to sit on it and just chill out
drinking vodka on our own. Can we buy a bottle of vodka on board and if so how much. Failing that I have devised a plan wherby I could fill up an empty 2 litre bottle of water with vodka purchased ashore and smuggle this on board, would this work??? it does in the bingo
5. Which cruises have all inclusive option? do they sail from barbados and are they worth it?
6. BARBADOS Whats the best and cheapest time to go?
Whats the best place to get married, we would prefer all inclusive but not one that closes at 10pm.
7. Any wedding tips, what do we wear?Can we get married somewhere apart from the Hotel and is this easily arranged?
8. Did I mention this before, Money saving ideas please?
I realise that this is a lot to ask but organising wedding on a budget is more difficult than we thought. Both our parents will also be going but just staying in Barbados for a few weeks without the cruise.
Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreaciated.
Many Thanks
Mark and Gemma
ive booked for the rum and reggae/corals and spices tour of carribeab.in dec.ive booked the flight up-grade for an extra £129 each.what exactly do you get for that,do you only get free alcahol with your dinner?appreciate if anyone who has upgraded would let me know the exact benefits,regards leslie
little unsure 
,are you allowed free alcohol during the whole flight (i upgraded to premium),im flying from manchester in dec 6th ,told us it would be with either thomascook flight or britannia,also how long is the flight from manchester to barbados.thanks.
,are you allowed free alcohol during the whole flight (i upgraded to premium),im flying from manchester in dec 6th ,told us it would be with either thomascook flight or britannia,also how long is the flight from manchester to barbados.thanks.
I flew from Manchester to Barbados last April and the flight took approx 8.5 hours if I remember correctly. We also flew with Thomas Cook. We did not go into the airport terminal when we landed, we went straight out of a side gate then boarded coaches to the ship, probably about a 20 minute drive away. Remember that your luggage will follow you on so take a change of clothing or anything you might need in your hand luggage.
We too are flying out on the 29th November for a week stay and cruise to Barbados.
We are considering upgrading seats but need to know more. Did the upgrade cost you £99 per person both ways? What are the advantages?
We were told by OV that they don`t know the airline yet as they charter a plane soley for OV passengers?
And like you asked , the most important yet unanswered question, How many free drinks do we get????
Mark
We are considering upgrading seats but need to know more. Did the upgrade cost you £99 per person both ways? What are the advantages?
We were told by OV that they don`t know the airline yet as they charter a plane soley for OV passengers?
And like you asked , the most important yet unanswered question, How many free drinks do we get????
Mark
Hi ,
We are booked for the OV 29 Nov for a week stay and cruise at Barbados.
Few questions please,
We are partial to a drink in the cabin but heard we cannot bring alcohol on board, is this only after day trips?
Do you think if we took it on in our suitcase after the weeks stay at barbados we would be ok??? Im thinking only hand luggage is searche, am I right?
Failing that , after a day trip could we get away with filling up a latrge water bottle with vodka, would that work?
Can alcohol be bought on board to take to cabin and whats the cost?
We are not alcoholics. We have upgraded to a suite as we are on honeymoon so might as well sit on the balcony and get our moneys worth ( the upgarde was half the cost of the cruise!!)
Also, does anyone know about the flights and seat upgrades thet OV offer? whats the airline and are the free drinks on the plane unlimited?
Many Thanks
Mark
We are booked for the OV 29 Nov for a week stay and cruise at Barbados.
Few questions please,
We are partial to a drink in the cabin but heard we cannot bring alcohol on board, is this only after day trips?
Do you think if we took it on in our suitcase after the weeks stay at barbados we would be ok??? Im thinking only hand luggage is searche, am I right?
Failing that , after a day trip could we get away with filling up a latrge water bottle with vodka, would that work?
Can alcohol be bought on board to take to cabin and whats the cost?
We are not alcoholics. We have upgraded to a suite as we are on honeymoon so might as well sit on the balcony and get our moneys worth ( the upgarde was half the cost of the cruise!!)
Also, does anyone know about the flights and seat upgrades thet OV offer? whats the airline and are the free drinks on the plane unlimited?
Many Thanks
Mark
bestyman we have just got back you can buy duty free on ship £4 ish valdivar vodka, you just have to pay £2.50 so you can take it to your cabin and drink it on board otherwise they wiill keep bottle till end of cruise, we bought pussers rum on tortola, walked on the ship with bottle in carrier bag and took it to the cabin but other ports security were looking for bottles
Hi Bestyman,
From my experience last year all alcohol purchased off the ship was taken off you when you re-boarded and you were given a slip of paper to collect it on the last morning of the cruise. They were searching bags constantly and at every port. I think you would get away with putting alcohol in your case as this does not come on ship with you but arrives separately. Alternativly as said you can buy alcohol on board and pay the extra to drink it in your cabin. Although I must say I think you would get away with the water trick
.
Where are you flying from? I flew from Manchester with Thomas Cook and I know both Thomas Cook and Britannia flights are used from Gatwick. You could upgrade on Thomas Cook aircraft, not sure of the price so check it out and book early as there is only limited availability which seems to go quickly.
Have a fantastic honeymoon and let us know if there is anything we can help with.
All the best.
SAM
From my experience last year all alcohol purchased off the ship was taken off you when you re-boarded and you were given a slip of paper to collect it on the last morning of the cruise. They were searching bags constantly and at every port. I think you would get away with putting alcohol in your case as this does not come on ship with you but arrives separately. Alternativly as said you can buy alcohol on board and pay the extra to drink it in your cabin. Although I must say I think you would get away with the water trick
.Where are you flying from? I flew from Manchester with Thomas Cook and I know both Thomas Cook and Britannia flights are used from Gatwick. You could upgrade on Thomas Cook aircraft, not sure of the price so check it out and book early as there is only limited availability which seems to go quickly.
Have a fantastic honeymoon and let us know if there is anything we can help with.
All the best.
SAM
Hi,
Thanks for the help and info. Looks like my cabins not gonna run dry, we were a bit worried about that . £2.50 isn`t out of the way , but still resent paying it slightly on a point of principle. I wonder if rum would work in a coca cola bottle too????
We don`t know what airline we are with as OV said they would tell us 2 weeks before.We are flying from manchester.
Thanks again
Mark
Thanks for the help and info. Looks like my cabins not gonna run dry, we were a bit worried about that . £2.50 isn`t out of the way , but still resent paying it slightly on a point of principle. I wonder if rum would work in a coca cola bottle too????
We don`t know what airline we are with as OV said they would tell us 2 weeks before.We are flying from manchester.
Thanks again
Mark
Just a quick tip. If you buy a can of coke and pierce the centre of the base with a small screwdriver you can empty the coke out and carefully fill it with a spirit of your choice. Then seal the bottom with a small piece of clear sticky tape and you are left with an undetctable can of spirits , discuised as a can of coke , ring pull intact. I know its a bit Blue Peterish but it does work , trust me. Happy cruising .... Pat
Bestyman,
You will be more than likely flying with Thomas Cook Airlines then, I would advise as said to book the premium seats early if you are considering it as availability is limited and the seats do get booked up quickly.
I have been to a lot of the ports of call so if you need any info let me know.
SAM
You will be more than likely flying with Thomas Cook Airlines then, I would advise as said to book the premium seats early if you are considering it as availability is limited and the seats do get booked up quickly.
I have been to a lot of the ports of call so if you need any info let me know.
SAM
sam, do you know whether free alcohol is available for the duration of the flight (on upgraded seats),and is the total flight time from manchester 8 and a half hours,thanks 
Hi Les217,
Yes free alcohol should be available for the duration of the flight for premium seating. I have never actually sat in premium seats as firstly I am quite petite so don't feel the need, secondly (being a smoker) I just try and sleep my way through as much of the flight as possible and lastly, I generally book holidays about 6 weeks prior so all premium seating is usally gone by this time. It is a good idea though for long haul flights, the seating and leg room is much larger than usual, you have a choice of food and drinks and more entertainment etc.
The flight will be approximately 8.5 hours from Manchester to Barbados and passes quicker than you imagine. The longest I have flown is 10.5 hours (Jamaica), the long flights are well worth it though for the delights at the other end 
Yes free alcohol should be available for the duration of the flight for premium seating. I have never actually sat in premium seats as firstly I am quite petite so don't feel the need, secondly (being a smoker) I just try and sleep my way through as much of the flight as possible and lastly, I generally book holidays about 6 weeks prior so all premium seating is usally gone by this time. It is a good idea though for long haul flights, the seating and leg room is much larger than usual, you have a choice of food and drinks and more entertainment etc.
The flight will be approximately 8.5 hours from Manchester to Barbados and passes quicker than you imagine. The longest I have flown is 10.5 hours (Jamaica), the long flights are well worth it though for the delights at the other end
Hi, I'm booked on this 6 day cruise from Southampton on 11th May.
I've seen that OV don't let you take alchohol aboard but what about soft drinks? I don't drink alchohol but am a diet coke-aholic
Any answers gratefully received, plus any tips or info as this will be our first cruise, although I am going on another one in July!
Thanks in advance
Juliet
I've seen that OV don't let you take alchohol aboard but what about soft drinks? I don't drink alchohol but am a diet coke-aholic
Any answers gratefully received, plus any tips or info as this will be our first cruise, although I am going on another one in July!
Thanks in advance
Juliet
hi lilac...dont know about their drink policy 
but i have just had a look at their website it looks ok to me.. turn your sound up, and you get a guided tour around the ship...
http://www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk/
also look on HT cruise reviews lots of reviews on ocean village
but i have just had a look at their website it looks ok to me.. turn your sound up, and you get a guided tour around the ship...http://www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk/
also look on HT cruise reviews lots of reviews on ocean village
Thanks Highlander
Yes their website is good, isn't it? I'm trying not to get addicted to it as I keep wanting to book another OV cruise before even going on one!!
Juliet
Yes their website is good, isn't it? I'm trying not to get addicted to it as I keep wanting to book another OV cruise before even going on one!!
Juliet
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