'Voyages of Discovery - M/V Discovery severe engine trouble fixed (at last) - Page 7

**Ally** · 07-30-2008, 06:24 AM

We're awful aren't we, eh?

But they do ask for it sometimes. I don't know how they expect people to react to the ship and how they are doing business at the moment.

I know that passengers in the UK are getting the message about the OBC/future cruise credit being given to foreign passengers and they are not at all happy about it....which is perfectly understandable when you consider that UK passengers just get a 'like it or lump it' letter.

**neil** · 07-30-2008, 07:12 AM

Hi

These credits which are being given to overseas passengers will no doubt upset UK passengers which could loose VOD a lot of bookings.

For those that like the smaller ships they do have competition on the Norwegian cruises from both Travelsphere with their chartered ship ' Ocean Majesty ' and the Transocean Tours ship ' Marco Polo ' both of which seem to get a lot of repeat customers.

Marco Polo will also be cruising in the Antartic, at the end of this year, and will be sailing in competition with mv Discovery !

Fly cruise packages are available to join her from the UK.

It makes me wonder how much longer VOD intend to operate mv Discovery !

It is reported on another forum that the ex P & O Spirit of London / Sun Princess which was named New Flamenco has arrived at Singapore for a re-fit after her charter in Noumea.

Her named has been changed to Flamenco 1 !

It is thought she might next be chartered for use at the olympic games in China or maybe the new Orient Lines are interested in her.

Neil.

**Ally** · 07-30-2008, 07:16 AM

I just posted in Louis that Aegean Pearl is out of action for a week after sailing empty for repairs after her touch from Zenith this week. Starboard side was hit and lifeboats along with railings damaged.

As for Orient...it would be lovely if they could get hold of MP again, but I still think they might go for Maxim Gorkiy as she is in the same class as MP and I believe she is ice-strengthened too (she was built in Murmansk IIRC).

**neil** · 07-30-2008, 07:35 AM

Hi

It would be nice if the newly formed Orient Lines did get hold of a ship with an ice stregthened hull however Flamenco 1, as her latest name is, did sail around the world for CTC cruises, when they owned her, so they might be interested in her.

I was on her when she was owned by P & O / Princess Cruises and named Spirit of London / Sun Princess.

Then she cruised amongst the ice in Alaskan waters from May to September every year.

Neil

**Ally** · 07-30-2008, 07:37 AM

Well Gorkiy retires from Phoenix Reisen in November this year, perfect timing for Orient really. Flamenco could go to VoD as a replacement for Discovery...neither is ice-strengthened, so Flamenco might suit VoD better than Gorkiy.

Orient are due to make an announcement regarding the ship very soon.

swan · 07-30-2008, 07:51 AM

My big want to know ,is , whats FO going to replace BP with out of Liverpool .Talk on Balmoral a newship due 2010 ,although I did hear this 2 years ago on BW.
Any surmise on what ship or perhaps if MP isn,t out because of the Solas in 2010 and FO has named Balmorals Palms Court the same as MP Palms Court. Or is it all a guessing game.

**Ally** · 07-30-2008, 07:55 AM

Maybe the lengthening of Braemar & Balmoral was done to take up the slack for when Prince leaves, Swan. There was word of maybe going for a newbuild in the future, but until the economics improves, I imagine that FOCL will stay a 4 ship company for a couple years after Prince has gone.

hayley67 · 08-04-2008, 10:58 AM

I was due to sail on the 14th of July on the Discovery but received a letter on the 10th of July saying it had been cancelled due to engine problems so it was interesting reading your forums. This was followed up by a call from VOD staff apologising again( saying the management had had an emergency meeting the night before and decided to pull the ship a it would have been unable to complete the planned cruise itinerary without reaching maximum speed)

Disappointing i know but at least we were not chugging around and missing ports!

We had a full refund the next day so that money was straight back in my account

and 25% off a future booking.....i hope the Discovery is still around then!

**neil** · 08-04-2008, 11:21 AM

Hi

I wonder if this 25 % discount is off the full brochure price or any special offers they have on.

Some of their cruises are discounted by much more than 25 % !

Neil

hayley67 · 08-04-2008, 11:38 AM

Hi
The letter stated 25% discount off the published fare(no mention of brochures) so me being me took that as their published online prices too and when i re-booked the starting point was the online discounts they already offer and had the 25% deducted from that.

She had better sail this time!

Hayley