Temples and Tavernas/Olives and Ouzos Greek Island |
| Reviewed By: Buchanan, Camberley on 28th Jun 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Ocean Village Cruises |
Times cruised before: 3-5 |
| Cruise Ship: Ocean Village |
Sailed:
May,
2008 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 46-55 |
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The Ship:
Good points – great cabin size. The shower was excellent, and there was a free safe in the room, as well as a hairdryer and plenty of storage – but not enough hangers (take some of your own if you have room). Towels get changed at least once a day, and you are provided with pool towels too. The smoking arrangements on the ship are excellent (from a non-smokers perspective). There is a dedicated smoking bar, and the main pool deck is smoke free. Smokers can smoke on the deck above or deck 7 only. The cinema showed a few good films, and there was a self service launderette (about £5 to wash and dry), and a free to use iron. There was a 75% off sale for ladies clothes once a week in the shops, so wait for that rather than pay full price. Plenty of sunbeds, but get one about 9 a.m. on the days you are at sea if you want one in the shade. Boarding on the ships was quick and efficient, as was disembarkation. They run a system where you don’t have to check in at the airport on the return journey, which saves time.
Bad points – Food OK, but not enough vegetarian options. Staff were not consistently friendly, and some were a bit rude, discourteous, and inattentive, particularly in the restaurant on the upper deck. There is not enough advice for people who do not want to go on the trips, and reception did not know basics, such as how much a taxi would be to get to the main towns. The local maps they provided were not good either. Ocean Village need to make sure the staff are better clued up. There was a daily newsletter, but it would have been good to have the weather forecast of next day’s port.
Entertainment –Most of the entertainment was OK. The magician and aerialists were good, as was Zach Bauman (swing singer) and Matt Quinn, one of the young resident singers.
As there was little information for independent travellers I have included some information on the ports of call below.
I’ve been on 4 cruises – all informal, twice on the Island Star, once each on the Island Escape and Ocean Village. Although I prefer the Island Star (better food and friendlier, more polite staff), I would definitely consider an Ocean Village cruise again, for the right price and itinerary.
The Itinerary:
TEMPLES AND TAVERNAS
Dubrovnik – A small city, about 0.5 km across, but well worth a visit. We walked from the port, but the map provided by Ocean Village was not good, and we got lost a few times. From the port (Gruz), head for the bus station, then pass the bus station on your left and keep walking straight on up the hill and down the other side until you get to Pile Gate. It’s about a 35 min walk with nice views once at the top of the hill. You can also get buses from the port (nos 1, 1A, 1B or 3), or take a taxi. The local currency is Kunas. There were plenty of ATM machines or places to exchange euros/sterling (the ship does not carry currency other than Euros). Walk the city walls for 55Kn (approx £5.50). Ice creams were good and cheap, beer £3 for 0.5 litres. You have to take Photographic id with you e.g. passport or photo driving license.
Corfu – The port area is grotty, but Corfu Town is very pretty with cobbled streets, though the cobbles are a bit slippery and there are gentle climbs. Ocean Village claim it is a 30 minute walk into Corfu Town, but it was a lot more than that (about an hour through horrible area). We took a taxi in for 10 Euros. Lots of cafes with local beer about 3.50 Euros.
Cephalonia – the town (Argostoli) was an easy walk – 5 - 10 minutes, but there is not much there. We just took a short stroll around the town – usual shops and cafes, though the shops seemed expensive. There are just 2 main streets.
Katakolon – by far the worst place we visited, with just one very short street with expensive tourist shops. We got back on the ship after only 30 minutes! We wish we had done the Olympia trip instead.
Athens – the port of Piraeus is very busy and built up, as was Athens. We went on the organised Acropolis tour, stopping briefly at the first Olympic stadium before going on the Acropolis. There were free loos at the entrance to the Acropolis. Only criticism was most of the time was spent in one spot listening to the guide telling you the full history of the Acropolis which left very little time to explore on your own. On the return journey to the ship there was a brief stop at a small local shop which provided courtesy drinks and had a loo. The Acropolis is well worth a visit.
Heraklion – the port area is dire, and Ocean Village claim a 30 minute walk from the city centre. We were in Heraklion three times during our 2 week holiday but we always stayed on the ship. On the changeover day at the end of first week, get a sunbed early as everyone waiting to get off the ship at the end of their holiday is on board.
OLIVES AND OUZOS
Limassol – Ocean Village states a walk time of 30-40 minutes from the New Port to the Old Town, but I think it must be much more than this, and the walk from the port is not nice. There were buses laid on, at a price of £12, but we took a taxi for 10 Euros each way, as there were 4 of us. Ocean Village map was not good, but there were better ones in the Port. We strolled around the old town– there is a pedestrianised area, a few shops and cafes and a small castle. To be honest it was not worth the taxi fare; just stay on ship or go on an organised trip to say Paphos which is much nicer and has lots more to see (we stayed there on our last holiday).
Rhodes – this was my favourite place on the whole 2 week cruise. The port is lovely, and just a 5 minute walk to the old town. There is a maze of streets with shops and cafes. Plenty of sites, such as castles, churches, museums etc. A few inclines, with cobbled streets, but well worth the climb.
Turkey (Kusadasi) – We went on a trip – Ancient Ephesus. This was a well organised trip, stopping at the house of Virgin Mary before travelling on to Ephesus, which is well worth a visit. We would have preferred more time in Ephesus. When we got back from the trip we strolled around Kusadasi. The only downside is the constant pestering by shopkeepers whilst shopping (or trying to shop). I gave up and went back to the ship.
Santorini (Fira) – this was beautiful. You can climb up hundreds of steps to get to the town on the cliff top, take a cable car or ride a donkey. When we went, the queue for the cable car was enormous, so we chose to walk. The steps are not suitable for children/old/disabled people, and you have to be careful to avoid the donkey dung. There was no shade on the steps, and there was a minor hazard with the herds of donkeys. Coming down was quite slippery, so be careful. When you get up to the top the views are spectacular. There are cobbled, narrow streets, which can get quite crowded, and the shops and bars are expensive.
Mykonos – Mykonos town. Lots of narrow cobbled streets with designer shops and souvenir shops. There is a small beach, and white houses with colourful balconies. It is picturesque. You might get lucky and see the famous pelican, which we were fortunate enough to see.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| We ate breakfast and the evening meal in the Waterfront restaurant, and lunch and snacks in the Plantation. | | Entertainment |  |
| The comedians were not great, but the comic magician was OK. Zach Baumann (a Swing tribute act) was excellent. The resident singer Matt Quinn is well worth listening to - great voice and upbeat personality. | | Shore Excursions |  |
| We only went on two: Athens and Ephesus. Both were good, but the Ephesus trip was better organised. | | Staff | |
| | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Hardly any on deck, but that made for a peaceful time on the sunbeds! | | Cabins |  |
| Great cabin size and facilities. | | Overall Rating | |
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