Our time on board Ocean Village Two...

On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd April 2007, Bolsover Cruise Club staff were invited to visit the new Ocean Village Two (formerly Aida Blu), to take a look around and put the ship through her paces a week ahead of her maiden voyage from Southampton to Palma on 25th April 2007. This was the perfect opportunity for our Sales Consultants to personally experience her accommodation and facilities, giving them first-hand knowledge to pass on to our clients.

On arrival at the Port of Southampton, Ocean Village Two looked stunning with a splash of bright colours adorning her gleaming white exterior, setting the scene for a casual and fun cruise experience. Stepping aboard, the contemporary interior décor and welcoming staff created a bright atmosphere. As we explored the ship, we were all pleasantly surprised at how spacious the ship was, with plenty of entertainment and dining rooms.

For passengers looking for a casual cruising holiday, Ocean Village Two is certainly a unique experience. Families and couples alike can enjoy the variety on board, and with special features, such as the fantastic Spa area and large proportion of balcony cabins, she really does have something to offer everyone.

Putting the 'aaah' into spa....

One of the main focal points on Ocean Village Two is definitely The Karma Spa and Fitness Complex, which takes on board pampering to a whole new dimension. At 14,000 square feet it's the largest afloat (relative to the ship's size), a parallel universe of stylish ocean-view treatment rooms and a suite of steam rooms, saunas, meditation and relaxation zones on the lower level. There's also an airy, well-equipped gym and studio area for aerobics, pilates, yoga and bike fitness classes. Rather than being hidden away on the lower decks, as is often the case on some ships, The Karma Spa occupies a prime location on decks 12 and 14, with a glamorous reception area (pictured right) and welcoming staff.
For those of you who are slightly sceptical about spa treatments, there's no need to be. It's very easy-going and down to earth in The Karma Spa. The staff couldn't be more helpful and there are so many pampering options the only difficulty you'll have is deciding what to go for. If you fancy treating yourself to a muscle-melting massage, a fabulous facial, or even achieve that Hollywood smile you've always dreamed of with a teeth-whitening treatment, you name it, it's possible in The Karma Spa. Prices are very reasonable, and you'll emerge feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Family time

Families will love Ocean Village Two. Away from the traditions of conventional cruising, families are equally as well catered for as couples and singles. With their own areas on board, children can enjoy the bountiful activities provided, set in their own private haven. Base Camp is where the action takes place. Their friendly, fully-trained staff rustle up a bunch of fun activities for 2-17 years from 9am till late. There's a wall of free video consoles with beanbags to slouch in, plus ball pools, soft play zones and a stretch of netted deck. Older kids also have their own area to hang out in. The children's programmes are scheduled daily from 9am - midnight, dependent on age, with breaks for lunch and dinner, and is free whilst one parent/guardian stays on board.

On further inspection, we found that SEGA and Ocean Village have joined forces to develop a fully licensed amusement and entertainment arcade at sea with the overall graphics concept designed and created by SEGA. The SEGA Village includes 19 amusement arcade games and a further 6 games will be available in the teen's area, 'The Attic'. SEGA village is also offering kids the chance to become famous for 15 minutes with its 'Let me Dance' booth. The booth allows budding stars to become their favourite pop icon and star in their very own music video, which is recorded onto CD and can be kept as a memento.

For families taking small children on board, the supervised night nursery allows your little ones to snooze while you party. When it comes to going ashore there's a raft of family-friendly trips to choose from including waterparks, aquariums, beach breaks and pizza- making.

As you will see from our picture gallery slideshow (click the link on the right-hand side of this page), we were able to sample the delicious restaurants and vibrant bars on board Ocean Village Two. We dined in the buffet-style Waterfront Restaurant, which offered plentiful choice of sumptuous dishes, with the flexibility of being able to dine whenever we chose. This is a particularly a great idea if, like me, you enjoy exploring ashore during the daytimes, meaning you don't have to rush back on board for set mealtimes. The atmosphere in the bars was buzzing, and we enjoyed a comedian and a pulse-racing show in The Marquee Lounge.

In true Ocean Village style, the productions in the show lounge are also a leap away from the norm. A close relationship between Ocean Village and the director behind the Millenium Dome and a Colombian circus school, means plenty of acrobatics, circus acts and fast-paced choreography, making for eye-opening productions in the evenings.

Along with the Players Bar & Casino and the new aerial Planet Deck Show, there are also alternative dining options to entice you (at a small supplement). We explored celebrity chef James Martins' restaurant, Le Bistro, and with its' cool and contemporary décor it provides a sophisticated atmosphere for that special evening. La Luna Restaurant also offers mouth-watering steaks and grill specialities with waiter service. (See example menus by following the link on the right-hand side of this page).

We were lucky enough to spend the evening on board, so we got the chance to try-out the spacious cabins equipped with comfortable beds. My cabin had a large window making it lovely and bright. The ship features private balconies in over a fifth of all cabins, providing fresh air and privacy! They certainly represent excellent value for money.