Spa and beauty with Ocean Village: Deck yoga

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 (calls are charged at local rates and may be recorded for training and quality purposes), 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?
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 want to celebrate! What do you offer?
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 an Ocean Village holiday 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 cafés, bars and restaurants.

The only time where you may want to dress up a bit on board is in The Bistro, or for an occasional evening on board, when you may want to push the boat out. But even then, things are very much smart casual.

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 23kg 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 23kg for checked luggage (if combining your belongings with someone else in your group, please note that individual items must not exceed 23kg) 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 ensure that you add your cabin number to the luggage tags supplied, and that they are attached to your luggage prior to UK airport check in.

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

What facilities are available in the cabins?

All cabins are air-conditioned and feature en suite bathrooms (with hair and body wash), tea and coffee making kit, fridge, TV, telephone and hairdryer as standard. There is also a safe to keep your valuables secure, for which there is no charge. Bathroom towels are provided, along with towels for you to use on deck or ashore during your holiday,

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 account is open from the moment you register your credit card when you check-in at the port to join the ship. All you have to do is sign for your purchases (priced in Sterling) as you go and your account will automatically be settled against your registered credit card at the end of your holiday.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa Debit - we are unable to accept Switch/Maestro, Visa Electron or Solo cards. Electron or Solo cards. You can use Sterling, US Dollar and Euro travellers’ cheques to pay some of your account, but you must do this by 6pm on the last evening of your cruise. Any final charges will be settled against your registered credit card. You can also acquire cash from Reception in the form of Sterling or foreign currency. This will be charged to your on-board account to be settled by your registered credit card. Please note we no longer accept personal cheques to acquire cash or to settle your on-board account. We recommend that you advise your bank or card provider that you will be visiting several different countries during your holiday. Also, as your on-board account will be closed late on the final night of your holiday, we recommend that you carry some Sterling for use on board on the day you disembark.

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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 you’ll need foreign currency. In the Caribbean the US Dollar is the most widely accepted currency and in the Med you will need Euros. US Dollars, Euros and most local currencies are available at competitive rates from Reception on board, with payment by Sterling cash, Sterling travellers’ cheques and also US Dollar and Euro travellers’ cheques. They can also be charged to your on-board account once you’ve registered your credit card. Unfortunately we cannot accept American Express Travellers’ Cheque cards. All foreign currency transactions are converted through Sterling. Reception can re-exchange US Dollar and Euro foreign notes, but cannot exchange foreign coins. In addition many major currencies can be converted to Sterling on board
– please ask at Reception.

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What kind of entertainment do you have onboard?

You want entertainment? You’ll find it on board. See the 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 into the small hours in the late night bar.

I love to shop – what have you got?

Whether you’re a shopaholic or just need some last minute essentials, the shops on board have everything from everyday items to sparkly treats and duty-free bargains.

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.

What dining options are there?

Dining arrangements on board 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.

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 contact the relevant Restaurant Team Leader on board for more details.

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 £35 for a half day and from
around £50 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’ escorted trips in the Med).

To book these trips before you go, just log onto the www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk website (select ‘Already Booked?’ then ‘Book Action Ashore’), call Reservations on 0845 358 5000 or complete and return the booking form supplied. 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. If you want to wait until you join the ship before booking 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 youcan 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 (e.g. Rome, from Civitavecchia). At
these ports and others where the ship berths some distance from the city centre, we will take you to the port shown and offer Action Ashore trips to reach the main destination, which are available at an
additional cost. Passengers who are not joining an Action Ashore trip and wish to travel independently will usually find public transport links and private taxis for hire close to the port.

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How can I keep in touch with home?

The ship has facilities on board to let you phone (from your cabin or mobile) 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 send 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 fast and reasonably priced 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. 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 safety and comfort of all our passengers, and in response to UK legislation restricting smoking in public places, smoking is only permitted in a limited number of designated outside areas of the ship.
Passengers will be clearly informed where smoking is permitted once on board.

Do I need a passport or visa?

If you are a British Citizen, a full passport (which will be valid for six months after the date you return from your holiday) is required for all holidays in this brochure. Please note that British Visitor passports are no longer valid. If you need a new passport you should apply in good time prior to your departure. If you are applying for a passport for the first time you may be required to attend an interview with the Passport Service and should allow a minimum of six weeks for it to be issued. For more information please visit www.direct.gov.uk/passports or call Ocean Village on 0845 358 5000. At the time of going to press no visas
were required for holders of British Citizen passports for holidays in this brochure.

If you DO NOT hold a British Citizen passport then your passport, travel documentation and visa requirements may be different. Non-European passport holders may need a Schengen Visa to enter Europe, and should check the entry requirements in advance, as these must be applied for in person. You should check with your Embassy or travel agent, or call Ocean Village on 0845 358 5000 to ensure you have the correct documentation for your holiday (particularly if you hold a British Subject passport). Remember that children under 16 need travel documents too.

For Caribbean holidays all children under 16 need to have their own passport. For Mediterranean holidays, if children under 16 are not already included in a valid passport then they must have their own passport in order to travel.

What about vaccinations?

If you don’t like needles then the good news is that there are no compulsory vaccinations required before you travel. 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 visiting www.dh.gov.uk) before you leave. Alternatively you can find the location of your nearest MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) online at www.masta.org.

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 (see page 87 of the main holiday brochure for full details) 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.

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. There is a well equipped Medical Centre on board the ship, supported by qualified doctors and our Medical Centre is accredited by the prestigious United Kingdom Health Quality Services and certified to ISO9001:2000. However, the facilities are not designed for extensive or continuing treatment of pre-existing conditions. 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 (e.g. 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.
Ocean Village regrets that it cannot carry passengers who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy or beyond at any point in their holiday. All pregnant women are required to produce a doctor’s or midwife’s letter stating that mother and baby are in good health, fit to travel and that the pregnancy is not high-risk. The letter must also include the estimated date of delivery (EDD) calculated from both the last menstrual period (LMP) and ultrasound (if performed). We cannot accept children under the age of 6 months (12 months on transatlantic holidays) at the start of the holiday.
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 do reserve the right and entitlement 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 or expenditure incurred. Failure to disclose details of any specified or diagnosed condition may result in your insurance being invalidated.

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

The ship caters for passengers bringing wheelchairs or mobility scooters (referred to collectively in this section as wheelchairs). With lifts and wheelchair accessible routes to the vast majority of public areas on board, as well as a number of cabins 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 so we can advise you of restrictions on the size and type of wheelchairs we accept on board (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
familiarise yourself with clauses 18-24 of the booking conditions in this brochure (see pages 94-95 of the main holiday brochure).

Please be aware that a ship is not always the easiest environment for using a wheelchair. Although our crew are always very helpful, they are unable to assist in moving you around the ship, or in any personal day-to-day tasks. For this reason, we require passengers who use a wheelchair to be accompanied by a personal assistant/travelling companion to provide these services. There must be one able companion per wheelchair user. Standard cabins (i.e. not adapted) 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 who wish to travel in a standard cabin must bring a collapsible wheelchair and negotiate the cabin without assistance from the ship’s crew. For all bookings, scooters must meet the following specifications: width – no more than 20 inches (51cm); weight – no more than 45kg total (with no component piece to weigh more than 23kg when dismantled); battery – Gel or
Dry Cell only. 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.

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, you will need some independent mobility in order to walk down the gangway. At ports where the ship is unable to dock at the quayside, indicated by a ▲ 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. Every effort will be made to offer access ashore via the ‘tenders’ but you must have some independent mobility in order to step into the tenders and out of them on the shore side. Please note that for Health and Safety reasons, the crew are unable to lift passengers into and out of tenders.

For passengers who use a wheelchair part-time and have sufficient independent mobility to step in and out of the tender, we will transfer wheelchairs into the tender or onto the quayside as appropriate, provided no individual part of the wheelchair weighs more than 23kgs 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 there are specific access issues and we aim to 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 358 5000 at least a week before sailing and we'll help you arrange a big surprise on board.

The Fun Event (£22)
Get things off to a great start with a bottle of champagne delivered to the cabin on the special 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)
A great welcome in the shape of a bottle of champagne, flowers and a box of chocolates, waiting in your cabin on the day you set sail.

Absolutely Fabulous (£50)
Flowers, chocs and a basket of fruit in your cabin on the day you sail, followed by a luxury continental breakfast in bed - complete with chocolate-dipped strawberries and a bottle of champagne - on the morning of your choice.

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.

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 Planet 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 and ashore.

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 358 5000 at least one week before sailing and we'll do the rest.

The Fun Event (£22)
Get things off to a great start with a bottle of champagne delivered to the cabin on the special 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)
A great welcome in the shape of a bottle of champagne, flowers and a box of chocolates, waiting in your cabin on the day you set sail.

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!

What facilities are provided for families?

You'll find a fantastic range of options for children and adults on Ocean Village. 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.