Deckplan information can be found here...
MV Discovery Cruises, MV Discovery Cruise Ship: Deck Plans
Life on board
Eight decks and all the contemporary amenities you'd expect
The moment you step on board Discovery, you'll feel a genuine warmth in the welcome of her crew and staff. On the bridge are Captain Derrick Kemp from Britain, an experienced Master who has had command of passenger ships for the past 16 years. With him is fellow Britain, Captain Michael Cavaghan, recently transferred from Swan Hellenic's Minerva II.
They are supported by a team of Officers from Europe and over 300 friendly international crew members. Cabin and restaurant staff hail predominantly from the Philippines. Renowned for their high standards, you'll be the first to appreciate their courteousness and their attentive levels of service. In addition to our experienced cruise staff and the company of the guest speakers we've invited to join us, you'll also enjoy the talents of a highly accomplished team of musicians and entertainers.
Together, they'll ensure that your time aboard Discovery is as rewarding and enjoyable as can be. As well as the wonderful places you'll travel to, Discovery is a destination unto herself. Whether you prefer relaxing in a quiet corner, dancing, keeping fit or treating yourself to a massage, life on board Discovery will keep you as busy or as relaxed as you like.
Dining
Dining on board is always a special event and on Discovery you will experience new levels of gastronomic delight. From breakfast through to midnight snacks you will be impressed by the choice and quality of the superb food our chefs have prepared and by the friendly, attentive service of the stewards.
BREAKFAST
Full breakfast will be served in the Seven Continents Restaurant or "al fresco" on the Sun Deck. Sitting basis is open. Continental breakfast is also available in your cabin.
LUNCH
Lunch is taken on an open sitting basis in the Seven Continents Restaurant or "al fresco" on the Sun Deck.
DINNER
Dinner is served at two sittings in the Seven Continents Restaurant. The timings will depend on the day's programme, but usually early sitting is approx 6.15pm and Main sitting is approx 8.15pm. Your preference should be indicated at time of booking, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, but cannot be guarenteed. Occasionally - for example, when we are in the Land of the Midnight Sun there will be the chance to dine "al fresco" on the Sun Deck.
YACHT CLUB
The Yacht Club, situated forward on Sun Deck, offers a superb alternative dining venue with marvellous views on three sides. Speciality themed menus such as Italian, Oriental, Polynesian or Mexican will be served. The Yacht Club is "invitation only", and with seating for approximately 100 people, all passengers will receive an invitation to dine here at least once a week - reservation required.
Excursions
Excursions on shore will be a highlight of your cruise. A comprehensive excursion guide will be sent to you before you travel: 10 weeks before departure for Summer cruises or with final documentation for Winter cruises. The guide provides full information on each excursion together with guidelines as to the amount and degree of walking involved.
With Discovery, all of our guides are friendly and English speaking, and have worked with us for many years. At most ports of call there will be a choice of excursions to suit your interests.
GUIDE TO COSTS
Half day tours and excursions en route from the airport to the ship and vice-versa will cost from approximately £19. Longer tours, most of which include a restaurant or hotel lunch or sometimes a dinner on the return journey to the ship will cost from approx. £49. Some excursions include an overnight stay in a top hotel and can cost from approx. £150.
BOOKING EXCURSIONS
All Summer Shore Excursions can be pre-booked although it is also possible (subject to space) to book your tours on board.
Health & Beauty
The fully equipped health and beauty centre and gym is spread over two decks and offers clear views over the stern of the ship. With modern exercise equipment, men's and women's saunas, hairdresser and treatment room for facials and massage, it has all you need to pamper yourself and indulge your senses.
For further relaxation there are two open-air jacuzzis outside the beauty salon. There will also be gentle daily exercise classes either on deck or in the aerobics area of the gym.
Entertainment
We deliberately avoid much of the razzmatazz that is sometimes associated with cruising, but provide instead a low-key programme of quality entertainment. In the evenings take in a show then dance to the ship's orchestra in the Carousel Lounge. Relax over a quiet drink in the Explorer Bar, meet up in the Bridge Club or drop into the Hideaway bar with its slots machines and wide-screen satellite TV. Alternatively, pit your wits against our quiz master or enjoy a feature film in the cinema.
During days at sea there will be a programme of informative talks, visits to the Bridge, art classes, films and music recitals; you might prefer to select a book from the library and relax on deck, enjoy a board game, visit the gym or pamper yourself in the new health and beauty centre; you might prefer to do nothing but watch the world sail by. The choice is yours.
A HOST OF DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS
To enhance the value of your time ashore and keep you entertained and informed during your time on board, all cruises will offer a carefully planned programme of talks and lectures.
INFORMAL TALKS
There will be a series of highly-acclaimed illustrated talks given by our experienced cruise staff and port lecturers on the places we visit. These talks are informal and informative - not aimed at those with a specialist or academic interest - and will appeal to all those who wish to have more knowledge of the places they will visit.
GUEST SPEAKERS
To see our who’s who of guest speakers please click here
Guest speaker details are correct at time of publishing, but are subject to change.
On all cruises there will be additional guest speakers who will give more in-depth talks on their own particular areas of expertise, sometimes connected with the destinations of the cruise, sometimes of more general interest. All have been invited for their special ability to entertain as well as inform. We shall be welcoming two or three guest speakers on every sailing as well as specialists in other areas of interest such as art and photography, who will give classes for those who wish to participate.
On cruises to Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords your expedition leader will be Dr Peter Carey, a zoologist with research interests in seabirds and seals. Peter has participated in expeditions to Antarctica, Alaska, New Zealand and the sub-Antarctic islands and has worked as a scientist on projects concerning Adelie penguins, skuas and fish.
Teams from BBC History Magazine will be on board the 'Adriatic & Aegean Treasures' cruise departing in October 2006, and also on 'Galapagos, Panama & Bermuda', 'The Northern Capitals' and 'Arabian Treasures' cruises departing April, August and October 2007 respectively.