Hi all,

Well just 8 weeks to go now before our OV trip, wedding in barbados then a week on the ship.
Thanks for all the previous help, we are more looking forward to the week on the ship than the week in Barbados!
Few last questions, We are now thinking about booking trips. Our destinations are
Tortola, St Maarten, St Kitts, St Lucia, Mayreau.

Trips we are possibly interested in are tree top ( swinging on a wire through the jungle) in St. Lucia or quad biking in St Kitts. Possibly a helicopter ride in Tortola ( but we don`t wanna go overboard). Has anyone been on these trips.

Also at which ports is it possible to simply walk off the boat and go for a short walk around, perhaps shopping or sightseeing and which ports are in the middle of nowhere.

We would rather book the excursions on the OV as we might change our minds if we wake up with a stinking hangover and the thought of quad biking or climbing trees may no longer appeal to us . But we don`t want to miss the trips so is booking esential?

Which resorts have people hassling you, we really don`t want that after a hectic week in Barbados, need some relaxation .

If anyone can advise please on what trips would be for us . We are 20/30s like drinking, don`t mind snorkelling, wouldn`t mind seeing some monkeys. We hate been cramped into the back of a truck or squashed into a boat for 5 hours surrounded by sweaty obnoxious people ( sorry, this happened to us before, never again)

Thanks for any replies

Mark

Hi,
We are flying with thomas cook airlines from MAN to BGI to join the ocean village and apparently the airline is terrible.
I read the seats are very very cramped, is this true?
Thanks
Mark

We took a Thomas Cook flight to Palma to join OV in Oct 04.

Sorry to confirm your fears but it was the most cramped uncomfortable plane I have ever been on.

I am only 5' 9" and my knees were firmly planted in the small of someones back in the seat in front of me. Thank God the flight was only 2.5 hours.

You have to grin and bear it - those seats could only have been 26" seat pitch max.

I'm 6'2" and it was hell. Luckily we were only going to Palma also. I couldn't imagine what it would be like crossing Atlantic to Barbados - maybe they use different planes? However, you will soon get over it when you get on the boat!

just back from caribbean cruise, norovirus has broken out on ship, passengers and crewe are suffering.

Just booked to go on carribean cruise on the 17th January to 31st January. Could anyone give me any information at all on these cruises as it is the first time for us. We fly from Birmingham to Barbados. Does anyone know what airline we fly with. We dont know yet as only just this minute booked. Please help with any information down to what to pack what money we will need etc. Really exited about it and cant wait.

Nicole

hi nicole

i can't help you personally on this,but i have just been looking at the reviews here. http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/cruise-reviews/ocean-village-cruises/ocean-village/

looks pretty good to me

irene

Hi Nicole and welcome to the Cruise forum!

I have merged your post with open already open on the Ocean Village. You may find some of the answers to your queries in previous posts.

luci

My sister is on Ocean Village at the moment and there is an outbreak of novovirus onboard. They have brought cleaners onboard and everything is getting the once over. I hope it doesn't ruin her cruise.

Yes Pestee posted about this on Wednesday in this topic. I too hope it doesn's spoil your sister's cruise.

luci

Have noticed Lesleyfbs report that her sister is on OV at present, and there is an outbreak of Norovirus. I am travelling on OV on 3rd Jan and when the tickets arrived a note was in the pack with precautionary measures against the virus. Can any one let me know how to find out how serious the outbreak is. I am sure if I phone OV they will deny any problems.

To NIcolebribe - we fly out with Thomsonfly at 11.25am. Only 25kg of luggage I`m afraid.

When we boarded the Sea Princess in August we had to sign a disclaimer stating that we had not suffered from any tummy upsets in the preceding few days and there was a statement stressing the importance of hand washing particuarly before eating. This seemed to be a standard practice for them as there was no sign of norovirus during our cruise.

luci

Thanks Woody91.
The weight limit must be each and not between us i hope. Have a really good time. How long are you going for. As I said before we go on the 17th January.

The weight limit is 25kg each. Not a lot for 2 weeks. We arrive back as you go.

Still trying to find out about this Norovirus. Am going to make a few phone calls now. Have a great time.

Lesleyfb - When you hear from your sister, will you please write a post on here with an update of the virus. I have contacted OV who are trying to tell me there was an outbreak a month ago and is all clear now - not that I believe them.

Hope your sister had a good time

Thanks

My sister is back and is fine. She said the outbreak was quite serious and that the ship claimed someone on their flight from Manchester was responsible for bringing the virus onboard! She said before the outbreak they were helping themselves at meals but afterwards there was someone serving the food. So lookout if you get there and they try and tell you the outbreak was caused by someone on your flight - you'll know then that its a lie.

That's funny, we were told something similar when there was an outbreak on the Sunbird. We were told that a child on the Gatwick flight had brought it onboard.

luci

Lesley - so glad to hear our sister is OK. She was very lucky.

I am not happy about the situation at all. This holiday has cost £2500 for the 2 of us, and I dont want to spend half of the holiday in my cabin.

OV should give people the option to cancel. I will not let it rest until I have some answers. Awaiting a call from my travel agent at the moment.

Woody91

How long after booking did you get your flight itinary? and do you get the option of upgrading your flight?

I have checked out novovirus. It is a stomach complaint that normally lasts for 24 to 48hours. My daughter used to be an air hostess and it is common as well with flying. They say it is not serious but just take precautions. I suppose you can get a virus wherever you travel. I have checked with my doctor who says it is passed on especially when people are in confined spaces. He put my mind at ease so I am not going to worry about it now.

Nicole