Prices for extras?

Alanshut · 06-20-2007, 06:47 PM

I'm thinking of booking a cruise with Ocean Village but unlike Thomson it seems they do not offer a drinks package. I also found that you are not allowed to bring any drinks on board and you are charged extra if you buy any from on board duty free and want to take them to your cabin. So O/V get a monopoly. Can anyone tell me what situation is and how much the prices are? I don't want a huge bill at the end of the holiday!

**middy** · 06-20-2007, 07:37 PM

Hi and welcome to CruisingTalk.

Have yet to sail with Ocean village, but they seem to be of the same ilk as many cruise lines nowadays where alcohol is concerned. Not allowed to bring aboard. Have looked around and as of yet have not been able to find a bar list, will keep looking though. Some ships allow you to order from room service, usually cheaper than you would buy in the UK.

**middy** · 06-20-2007, 08:24 PM

Seems you also have to pay extra for waiter service too. No charge if you only do buffet restaurants.

4dunkys · 06-22-2007, 07:55 PM

I have found a link with some of there menus and prices on Ocean Village Holidays - Official Website: The informal, fun cruise holiday: Sample menus
hope this helps you decide.

**middy** · 06-22-2007, 08:02 PM

Thanks for that info Paula

Looked around their site yesterday and didn't come across that bit.

Alanshut · 06-23-2007, 10:41 AM

Thanks for your replies, after checking out the link, I found that by searching entertainment and bars - watering holes - wine & drinks price lists, they are all there.
They do seem quite reasonable with a pint of Boddingtons at £2.20 and Stella Artois at £2.60. That's cheaper than my local pub! Unfortunately, having just tried to find availability for July 12, I can't get a flight from Manchester. The Thomson Emerald is available for this period though - but I've read some dodgy reviews for this ship. We went on our first cruise on the Thomson Spirit on a last minute deal last year and couldn't fault it. Is the Emerald really as bad as the reviews say?

Alan

**middy** · 06-23-2007, 11:02 AM

Hi Alan.
Been about 10 years since I travelled on Emerald. Very different ship to the Spirit. A lot older.
Cabin was fine although a little noisy, but we were right next to the engine room. (I always get the cheapest cabins) Soon remedied by ear plugs brought on shore excursion. No problems with the food. Doesn't have open sitting like Spirit/Celebration. Works on Early/late sitting. Know we had a great itinery on that cruise. My memory aint as good as it used to be though another thing that jumps to mind, had terrys chocolates on pillows at night.

But as I said been 10 years.

Alanshut · 06-23-2007, 02:26 PM

Thanks Middy,

I'll hold off booking the Emerald until I get some more info but the itinery does look good around the Greek islands. When you only get a couple of weeks off in a year I think it's important to get as much info as possible as paying lots of money and then having a bad holiday is really disappointing. We went to Riu Tequila all inclusive in Mexico two years ago - it looked wonderful in the brochure but we hated every minute!
I'll also keep checking the Ocean Village website to see if any flights become available as the ships look really good.

Alan.

**middy** · 06-23-2007, 02:36 PM

Alan cabins do come up at a later date some times, so worth keep checking.
I know what you mean, I booked an all inclusive in Rhodes luckily only for a week, had to book a cruise when we got home to make up for the disappointment.

**middy** · 06-23-2007, 02:41 PM

See what you mean, loads of availability from Birmingham but no manchester.