FAQ about Ocean Village Holidays

If there's anything that's not clear or if you have any queries then please call our Reservations team on 0845 075 0032 or email us at ovreservations@oceanvillageholidays.co.uk - we'll be pleased to help.

Quick links

What should I pack?
Can I bring my golf bags?
What shouldn't I pack?
How much luggage can I take?
What facilities are available in the cabin?
What about keeping healthy?
Do I need cash on board?
What’s the best way to carry and look after money?
What kind of entertainment do you have onboard?
I love to shop – what have you got?
Any Art Auctions onboard?
What about tipping?
What dining options are there?
Do you cater for passengers with special diets?
What can I do ashore?
How will I get ashore?
How can I keep in touch with home?
What laundry services are there?
Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?
What’s your smoking policy?
Do I need a passport or visa?
What about vaccinations?
What about travel insurance?
Can you tell me more about health and safety issues?
I’m not fully mobile, will that affect my holiday?
I’m not fully mobile, how will I get ashore?
I want to celebrate! What do you offer?
Will mobile phones work on board?
What shows will be available on board?
Are towels provided on board?
What do Ocean Village offer for honeymooners?
Is Ocean Village right for me?
What facilities are provided for families?

At sea and ashore

What should I pack?

The beauty of Ocean Village is that there are no set formal or semi-formal dress codes on board. Casual wear is always fine - all we ask is that you cover-up when eating or drinking inside the cafes, bars and restaurants. The only place where you may want to dress up a bit on board is in The Bistro, where things are more smart casual and you may want to push the boat out for those special occasions.

Please note that if you are on a Stay and Cruise holiday you may be required to wear smart casual clothes/long trousers for dinner at some hotels.

Can I bring my golf bags?

If you're planning to join one of our golf excursions then you can hire golf clubs at the course. If you would prefer to bring your own clubs you can - but please note that they will be included as part of your baggage allowance. If the total weight of your checked baggage (including your golf clubs) is over the 25kg limit then you will be charged for the excess baggage. Please note that we cannot guarantee that space for golf clubs will be available on all flights.

What shouldn’t I pack?

Obviously there are certain items that shouldn't be packed in your luggage for safety reasons. Details of items that cannot be carried in baggage on flights can be found on the back of your flight tickets. The Merchant Shipping Act also prohibits the carrying of certain items on the ship without authorisation from Ocean Village, including :

All firearms and ammunition, sporting weapons, replica firearms and explosives of any kind.
Knives and other sharp bladed weapons.
Flammable substances (petrol, methylated spirits, paint thinners etc).
Items containing incapacitating substances that could be used to maim or disable.
Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.

How much luggage can I take?

Don't forget that whatever you pack has to fit into limited space in your cabin, and must not exceed the baggage allowance. The baggage allowance on flights is 25kg for checked luggage plus one piece of hand baggage which must not exceed 43x28x23cm (17x11x9 inches) in size and 5kg in weight. We would advise you to carry any essentials (eg passports, tickets, medication etc) plus any jewellery or valuables in your hand luggage.

Please make sure that all of your baggage is clearly identified using the baggage tags included in your ticket pack - and that all sections on the tag (name, holiday reference/cruise code, cabin number and contact details) are completed.

Please also note that as you travel to your hotel/the ship you will be responsible for checking-in, identifying and collecting your bags during your journey.

If you are on a 'Stay and Cruise' holiday and are staying at a hotel in Barbados please ensure that you put the yellow hotel tag on your suitcase.

What facilities are available in the cabins?

All cabins have en suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, TV, telephone and hairdryer as standard. There is also a safe to keep your valuables secure, for which there is no charge.

Cabins are fitted with three pin standard British style sockets and the current on board is 220 volts AC at 60 cycles, so all British style hairdryers will operate normally (although we do provide hairdryers in the cabins). Additionally all bathrooms have razor sockets with 220/110 volt switchable sockets.

Please note that cabins may not be available before 3.00pm on the day you arrive - but this is an ideal time to explore the ship or start on the tan!

What about keeping healthy?

With an ocean-view gym, fitness/yoga classes, swimming pools and mountain bikes for trips ashore we’ve got everything you need to stay as active as you want to be on board. And for those moments of pure self-indulgence there’s a fully equipped spa with sauna, steam and massage rooms and a range of tempting treatments.

Do I need cash on board?

We operate a ‘cash-free’ system on board the ship. Your on-board account is open from the moment you join the ship, so all you do is sign for your purchases (priced in Sterling) as you go then settle up at the end of your holiday.

Simply register your credit/debit card when you check in at the ship. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa Debit - we are unable to accept Switch/Maestro, Visa Electron or Solo cards. Please note that cash/currency advances cannot be made against these cards. Alternatively, you can pay by Sterling personal cheque drawn on a UK bank (supported by a valid cheque guarantee card) but we regret that we are unable to accept any foreign personal cheques. You can also pay by Sterling travellers cheques and we also accept US Dollar and Euro travellers cheques. Unless a credit card is registered we may apply a £150 account limit per passenger.

What’s the best way to carry and look after money?

Although everything is ‘cash free’ on board the ship, when you are in port (or if you are on a Stay and Cruise holiday) you’ll need foreign currency. In the Med you will need Euros and in the Caribbean the US dollar is the most widely accepted currency. Euros and US Dollars are available at competitive rates from Reception, with payment by Sterling cash, UK personal cheque (supported by a valid cheque guarantee card), Sterling travellers cheques and also US Dollar and Euro travellers cheques. Unfortunately we cannot accept American Express Travellers Cheque cards as this is prohibited under the terms and conditions of the card issuer. All foreign currency transactions are converted through Sterling. Reception can re-exchange US Dollar and Euro foreign notes in denominations as sold on board, but we regret we cannot exchange foreign coins.

What kind of entertainment do you have onboard?

You want entertainment? You’ll find it on both ships. See the amazing acrobats do their stuff, check out the live music and tribute acts or have a giggle at the comedians. Try your luck in the casino, have a crack at some karaoke or dance away the hours in the late night bar – it’s up to you!

I love to shop – what have you got?

Whether you’re a shopaholic or just need some essentials, the shops on board have something for everyone. From everyday items to fabulous flower arrangements, sparkly treats and duty free bargains, you’ll find everything you need for your holiday.

Any Art Auctions onboard?

From signed footy shirts to gold discs, from magnificent masterpieces to animation cells from classic movies – there are some fantastic items for sale at the art auctions. From original works to limited edition prints and all types of sport and music memorabilia there’s something for everyone to bid on. You don’t even have to worry about packing it in your suitcase - the Art Team will arrange for any purchases to be sent home to you!

What about tipping?

Basic tips on board are included in the price of your holiday, but you are welcome to recognise great service with discretionary tips. For Stay and Cruise holidays, hotel tips are also left to your discretion.

What dining options are there?

Dining arrangements on Ocean Village are very informal. With 24-hour buffet dining and a choice of four dining venues, you can usually eat wherever you like, with whoever you like, at whatever time you like.

Please note that all restaurants are non-smoking.

Do you cater for passengers with special diets?

Passengers who are vegetarian or follow a low fat diet will be able to select dishes from the wide selection available on board. If you have a special dietary requirement resulting from a medical condition we can accommodate low salt, strict vegan, lactose intolerant, diabetic, coeliac and gluten free diets (but not kosher foods). Please note that Ocean Village cannot guarantee that dietary requests can be met if taking a Stay and Cruise holiday.

What can I do ashore?

There’s a wide range of Action Ashore activities available at each new destination, with everything from quad biking to beach days. As a guide, Action Ashore activities cost from around £30 for a half day and from around £45 for a full day (sometimes including lunch) depending on the type of activity. Children’s prices for some activities are 50% of the adult price (except where an admission price to an attraction applies).

A booklet containing full details and prices on all of the activities available on your holiday will be sent to you around 8-10 weeks before you travel. Please note that the Action Ashore activities listed for each destination are for guidance only and that some activities are only available during certain times during the season.

Children aged under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian on all trips (other than ‘Great Escapes’). These trips sell out quickly so to avoid disappointment why not reserve your trips before you depart – to book go online by selecting ‘Already Booked?’ then ‘Book Your Action Ashore’, call Reservations on 0845 075 0032 or complete and send back the booking form. No payment is required at this stage – you will receive confirmation of your excursion bookings (which you must bring with you), your tickets will be delivered direct to your cabin and the cost will be applied to your on board account. Alternatively, if you want to wait until you join the ship before booking your trips then you can do this at the Action Ashore desk on deck 5 - but please be aware that some activities may have already sold out!

If you’d prefer to make your own arrangements while you are in port then you’ll find the information we provide about each destination useful.

How will I get ashore?

Where possible, the ship will dock in port and you can come and go as you please via the ship’s gangway. However, in some ports the ship will anchor at sea and tenders/launches will transfer passengers to and from the port on a regular basis. In these cases passengers on Action Ashore trips will be transferred first, but you can usually expect to be ashore about an hour after arrival in port. Whilst in port, the ship’s restaurants, bars and other facilities (except the shops) will remain open.

In most instances, the main destination is the port itself. However, in some places the port is not the main destination – in which case we have listed both in the itinerary (eg Rome, from Civitavecchia). At these ports and others where the ship berths some distance from the city centre, passengers who are not joining a shore excursion and wish to travel independently will usually find public transport links and private taxis close to the port.

How can I keep in touch with home?

The ship has facilities on board to let you phone or fax friends and relatives while you’re away. You can also send emails and internet postcards from the Cyber Cafe. If you want to drop pals a real postcard you can buy stamps at Reception - we’ll even post mail for you at the next port.

What laundry services are there?

There’s a reasonably priced, fast laundry and pressing service on board as well as self service launderettes.

Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?

Please note that alcohol bought ashore may not be brought on board Ocean Village. We reserve the right to check passenger bags and any alcohol found will be retained by the ship and returned to you at the end of your cruise.

What’s your smoking policy?

For the comfort of all our passengers, smoking is allowed on deck and within designated areas in some public rooms but is not permitted in dining areas or in the Bayside Club until after 8pm.

Please note that at the time of going to press the UK Parliament has just voted in favour of a total ban on smoking in public places. Whilst the application of the new law won’t become fully clear until detailed regulations are published, it is likely that it will have some impact on our ships and therefore the ability of passengers to smoke whilst on board. We will of course make sure that passengers are clearly informed of the position as it then stands whilst they are travelling with us.

Do I need a passport or visa?

For all Ocean Village holidays you MUST have a full and valid passport which will be valid for 6 months after you return from your holiday. Remember that children under 16 need travel documents too - if not already included in a valid passport then they must have their own passport in order to travel.

At the time of writing no visas are required for holders of full British Citizen passports on any Ocean Village holiday. If you do not hold a full British Citizen passport you should contact your Embassy or travel agent, or call Ocean Village on 0845 358 5000 to make sure that you have the right documents for your holiday (particularly if you hold a British Subject passport).

What about vaccinations?

If you don’t like needles then the good news is that there are no compulsory vaccinations required before you travel with Ocean Village. However, requirements do change so you should check with your GP or see the Department of Health’s leaflet ‘Health Advice for Travellers’ (available from Post Offices or by calling 0800 555 777) before you leave. You can also telephone MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) on 0906 550 1402 for the latest news (calls are charged at £1 per minute) or visit www.masta.org for the latest news.

Please note that there is a risk of Malaria transmission in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras and Belize. We therefore recommend that you seek advice
from a Travel Medicine Clinic before joining Ocean Village 2007/08 cruises from Jamaica.

What about travel insurance?

It is a condition of each holiday booking/contract that every passenger travelling with Ocean Village must have travel insurance in force for the entire duration of their holiday. If your travel insurance was not obtained through Ocean Village then details of a suitable alternative insurance policy (which must, as a minimum, include medical and repatriation coverage for not less than £2 million) must be provided before you travel. You must also bring the details of your insurance policy with you on holiday.

Additionally where a passenger (or passengers) travelling in a cabin cancel(s) but a person sharing the cabin wishes to continue to travel, Ocean Village will reassess the price on a reduced occupancy basis.

In some cases, due to circumstances beyond our control, we may need to change flight or hotel details
without prior warning. Ocean Village reserves the right to do this at any time.

Can you tell me more about health and safety issues?

For your own safety and wellbeing - and that of other passengers - you must be fit and healthy to travel with us and to undertake all the flights and activities you have booked. Although there is a well equipped Medical Centre on board both ships, the facilities are not designed for extensive or continuing treatment of pre-existing conditions. Similarly there is no provision for such treatment on land stays. Please note that all treatments on board are charged at private rates, although you should be able to claim most charges back through your holiday insurance after payment of any excess.

Please note that :

You must inform us at the time of booking of any medical condition that requires special treatment whilst you are on holiday with Ocean Village. In particular we must be advised if you will be taking a nebuliser, CPAP machine or any other medical electrical equipment, if you will be taking an oxygen cylinder or oxygen concentrator, if you require peritoneal dialysis, or if you will need to dispose of medical sharps.

We are unable to carry passengers suffering from a contagious disease (eg measles, chicken pox etc).
Passengers who normally require assistance in the activities of daily living are advised that they must be accompanied by a fit and able companion who will be responsible for their general care at all times during the holiday.
We regret that we cannot carry passengers who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy or beyond at any point during their cruise, or children under the age of 6 months.
If the condition of your health as declared at the time of booking changes, you must inform us immediately.

If you have failed to advise us of any condition we consider may be harmful either to yourself or any other passenger during the course of your holiday we shall refuse boarding. Please also note that, if in our reasonable opinion or that of the Ship's Doctor or Master, your condition is, or becomes, such that it is beyond the care that we would be able to provide, we reserve the right to terminate your holiday. This may mean you will be landed at any port that the ship calls at and in this situation you will be fully responsible for any costs incurred. Failure to disclose details of any specified or diagnosed condition may also result in your insurance being invalidated.

I’m not fully mobile, will that affect my holiday?

All of the ships in our fleet are able to cater for passengers bringing wheelchairs or mobility scooters (referred to collectively in this section as wheelchairs), whether full-time or part-time users. With lifts and wheelchair access to the vast majority of public areas on board, as well as a number of cabins specially adapted for wheelchair users, including wide doorways and bathrooms featuring wheel-in showers, we aim to make your stay as relaxing and comfortable as possible. If you are planning to bring a wheelchair on board with you, it is essential that you let us know at the time of booking (please note that we are unable to provide wheelchairs, walking frames, or other mobility aids for passenger use). We will then contact you to obtain further information. Before making a booking, please familiarize yourself with clause 9 of the booking conditions. We do our best to take the requirements of disabled passengers into consideration but a ship is not always the easiest place for wheelchair use. Although our crew are always very helpful, they are unable to assist in getting around the ship, or in any day-to-day tasks. For this reason, we require passengers who use a wheelchair to be accompanied by a fit and able-bodied travelling companion. There must be one abled companion per wheelchair user. Please be aware that standard cabins (i.e. cabins that have not been specially adapted for wheelchair users) are not suitable for full-time wheelchair users because their doorways are not wide enough for most wheelchairs to pass through and the bathrooms have raised thresholds. Part-time wheelchair users must travel in a standard cabin and therefore must bring a collapsible wheelchair to ensure it fits into the cabin. Passengers must be able to negotiate entry into the cabin without assistance from the crew. For the safety of the ship and everyone on board, all wheelchairs and other aids to mobility must be stored inside your cabin at night or when you are not actually using them. Please note that none of our land stay hotels offer specific disabled access or facilities, and are therefore not suitable for full-time or part-time wheelchair users. Further details are available on request.

Mobility – Going ashore

When choosing your cruise please bear in mind that it may not be possible for wheelchair users to get ashore at ports of call. At the majority of ports visited by our ships, we are able to deploy a short ramped low-level gangway, commonly referred to as the ship’s brow, to give all wheelchair users easy access to shore. We do our very best to make sure that all passengers are able to get ashore in as many ports as possible, although there will be times when it is not possible to deploy the ship’s brow, particularly in ports with a large tidal range. At ports where it is not possible to use the ship’s brow, all access to shore will be by a narrow stepped gangway that pivots to take account of the tide, known as the accommodation ladder. When the accommodation ladder is in use, it should not be a problem for you to go ashore providing that you are able to walk the steps with help from your fit and able travelling companion, or if necessary, with arm assistance from a crew member. Each of our ships carries a wheelchair “stair climbing” machine which will enable full-time wheelchair users to go ashore provided they can be transferred between their own wheelchair and the wheelchair that is fitted to the stair climber at the top and bottom of the accommodation ladder. The stair climber is not capable of being used with electric wheelchairs – these will need to be taken ashore separately. At ports where the ship is unable to dock at the quayside, indicated by a 'triangle' symbol by the destination description, and where conditions permit, passengers are taken ashore by the ship’s launches (or “tenders”). There is a possibility in exceptional circumstances that launches will also be used to get passengers ashore at ports featuring the * symbol. You will be able to go ashore at these ports if you are able to bear your own weight so as to step in and out of the launches, with help from your travelling companion or a crew member, if necessary. Please note that for Health and Safety reasons, the crew are unable to lift passengers into launches. If you are unable to bear your own weight so as to step in and out of the launch, it will not be possible for you to go ashore at these ports. In cases where passengers who use a wheelchair are capable of going ashore by launch or accommodation ladder, we will transfer wheelchairs into the launch or onto the quayside as appropriate, provided that no part of the wheelchair weighs more than 32kgs when broken down. You or your travelling companion will be responsible for dismantling and assembling your wheelchair, although if requested, we will endeavour to assist where practical and safe to do so. Occasionally, at certain terminals at which the ship berths, difficulties may be encountered by passengers using wheelchairs. We provide information on such issues in advance of the cruise.

I want to celebrate! What do you offer?

Whether you're celebrating a special event on board or want to treat somebody else, we can help you make it really special with one of our celebration packages. There's a whole range of goodies to choose from. Put a smile on someone's face with a champagne breakfast in bed or make it a day to remember with a cake, party poppers and fizz. Just call Ocean Village on 0845 075 0032 at least one week before sailing and we'll do the rest.

The Fun Event (£22)
Get the holiday off to a cracking start with a bottle of champagne delivered to the cabin on the appropriate day along with a 'Best Wishes' sponge cake, balloons, party poppers and a card.

The Big Event (£24)
Celebrate with a bottle of champagne delivered to the cabin on the appropriate day as well as a 'Best Wishes' fruit cake, balloons, party poppers and a card.

Welcome Surprise (£40)
You know you've arrived in style with a bottle of champagne, a flower arrangement and a box of chocolates waiting in the cabin on sailing day.

Absolutely Fabulous (£50)
Want to push the boat out? Start with a flower arrangement, box of chocolates and fruit basket in the cabin on the sailing day. Then follow it up with a luxury Continental Breakfast in bed for up to 2 people, including a bottle of champagne and some chocolate-dipped strawberries, delivered to the cabin on the morning of your choice. Heaven!

Please note that these packages can only be delivered on the ship and not to a hotel during a stay ashore.

We can also help you celebrate if you want to throw a party on board. We can provide a private area, a full bar and staff to serve drinks and nibbles. Just contact the Food and Beverage Manager on board at least 24 hours in advance

Will mobile phones work on board?

Not at present, but watch this space.

What shows will be available on board?

Signature production shows, tribute bands and sing-a-long evenings will ensure you have a great night every night. Check out the street theatre, circus acts and the spectacular laser show plus aerial acrobatics high above deck in the unique Moon show. With bars, bands and stand-up comedy, you might never make it to bed!

Are towels provided on board?

Yes. You will find towels in your cabin and pool towels to use on deck. You can take the pool towels ashore but you must ensure they are returned each day.

What do Ocean Village offer for honeymooners?

If you're celebrating your honeymoon on board and want to treat that special person, we can help you make it really special with one of our celebration packages. Just call Ocean Village on 0845 075 0032 at least one week before sailing and we'll do the rest.

The Big Event (£24)
Celebrate with a bottle of champagne delivered to the cabin on the appropriate day as well as a 'Best Wishes' fruit cake, balloons, party poppers and a card.

Welcome Surprise (£40)
You know you've arrived in style with a bottle of champagne, a flower arrangement and a box of chocolates waiting in the cabin on sailing day.

Please note that these packages can only be delivered on the ship and not to a hotel during a stay ashore.

Is Ocean Village right for me?

Ocean Village is cruising gone casual. Free-spirited and unconventional, Ocean Village is a far cry from traditional cruising. Created for 30-50 somethings who want to explore new places and try new things, it's a heady mix of pulse-racing action and chilled-out relaxation. The sort of holiday where you can hit the fast forward or the pause button as you choose. And when it comes to formal dress codes or set meal times - forget it. This is about eating when you want and doing what you like - whether it's biking through Caribbean jungles, river rafting in the Med or lazing by the pool. If this sounds like the holiday for you, then starting your planning! Click here now

What facilities are provided for families?

You'll find a fantastic range of options for children and adults on the original Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two. It's perfect if you're travelling in as a family and you've all got varied interests and want different things from your holiday. We know that for families, the best way to ensure that everyone has a fantastic time is to provide great children's facilities and daily programmes that capture the imaginations of kids from tots to teens, especially in peak season. Families will be invited to an informal meeting at the start of the holiday where our Youth Team will explain all about the kid facilities on board, the activities planned and the few restrictions on board.

Mouth-watering dishes at James Martin's Bistro