Basil Brush to sail on Ocean Village cruises

The most famous fox in the world is set to sail with Ocean Village Cruises this July – none other than Basil Brush will be the latest family favourite to perform an exclusive fun family show on board which will be his first ever season of live shows at sea. Basil will be boarding the original Ocean Village for a summer of sailing around the Western Mediterranean, joining other children’s icons such as Bagpuss and Paddington Bear

The legendary puppet first hit British TV screens back in 1963 and became known for his cheeky jokes and famous ‘Boom boom!’ catchphrase. Guests on board will be able to enjoy live shows in Ocean Village’s Connexions Bar from July onwards and will also be able to have their photo taken with Basil, complete with his trade mark tweed cape, waistcoat and cravat.

The performance will take place on all Ocean Village ''Emperors and Espresso'' fly cruises, running for seven days from Palma to Ajaccio on Corsica.

According to Travelmole, Gill Haynes, Ocean Village head of marketing communications, said: "We think parents will be as amused as their children to find Basil on board – his shows make great family entertainment and reach across the generations.

"This trio of retro children's icons is sure to charm the kids and send parents hurtling down memory lane."

Ocean Village to be phased out

Carnival UK has announced that it will be phasing out the Ocean Village brand starting in autumn 2009 as part of a reorganisation of its company portfolio. Both Ocean Village ships are set to be transferred to the P&O Cruises Australia brand, the first in time for Christmas 2009 and the final ship a year later.

Commenting on the move, David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK and Chair of the Carnival Australia Management Committee, said:

“In reviewing the most effective deployment of our ships, we have recognised the major growth potential in the Australian market and the profit opportunity which awaits. Clearly it is disappointing to wind down our Ocean Village operation which has been superbly created and delivered by an excellent management team, but we must recognise the need to maximise profit performance from our assets. Ocean Village has done much to change the face of British cruising, and all our UK brands have benefited from this. The arrival of new ships for P&O Cruises and Cunard in 2010 and the continuing development of Princess Cruises in Britain will ensure that Carnival UK continues its growth despite the redeployment of the Ocean Village vessels.”

Following the changes Ocean Village will operate a single ship in the Caribbean in winter 2009-10 and the previously published programme will be updated and pre-made bookings amended.

Carnival UK cruise brands include P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village and The Yachts of Seabourn.

Ocean Village launch new Caribbean itineraries

Ocean Village have introduced new 14 night cruises for their winter 2009-2010 season in the Caribbean. The launch of longer cruises allows new ports of call to be added that could previously not have been visited during a one week sailing.

Ocean Village’s two ships, Ocean Village and Ocean Village 2, will be operating three fl/cruise itineraries departing from Barbados. ‘Hammocks and Harbours’ is the first of these, visiting the centre of the Caribbean with ports of call at Samana in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk.

‘Beaches and Breezes’ promises a taste of the Latin flavour in the southern Caribbean, including visits at Mayreau and Isla Margarita.

And last but not least there are two sailings of ‘Jungles and Jetties’, a grand tour from Barbados to the Panama Canal, with destinations along the way such as Colon.

Ocean Village’s fresh new itineraries offer the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten Caribbean cruises track and experience more of what the Caribbean has to offer.

Ocean Village launch Exclusive Lounge

Ocean Village has now launched a Club Lounge on both of their ships.

Guests on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two will be able to take advantage of the exclusive lounge that features a number of perks including free internet access, breakfast and afternoon tea plus pre dinner drinks to include unlimited complimentary soft drinks and complementary alcohol between 5pm – 8pm.

Ocean Village cruises offer an informal atmosphere which is laid back but still with very high standards. Ocean Village cruises – for the people that don’t do cruises will be offering the services of the exclusive lounge to guests occupying one of the top grades of cabins, the BB grade balcony cabin or the AA grade suite. There is a one off fee of £70 per person and children under the age of 16 are allowed in without charge, providing they are accompanied by an adult.

Paddington Bear to take to the sea for the first time in 50 years

Paddington Bear first arrived in London in 1958 and became Britain’s most loved bear. He arrived on a ship from deepest Peru and now 50 years on will set sail again when he joins Ocean Village as the cruise line’s fleet arrives in the Med for its summer season.

From May 2008 Paddington Bear will become a permanent addition on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two. The marmalade loving bear will be a regular at the ships kid club ‘Base Camp’. Fans young and old will get the chance to meet, take photos and even have tea with the well travelled and much loved character.

Paddington Bear appeals to all generations and has sold more than 30 million copies of his book worldwide, in 30 languages and across 70 titles. Peruvian born Paddington will join classic children’s character Bagpuss who became a resident crew member last summer on both Ocean Village ships.

Ocean Village has an amazing array of children’s facilities including Base Camp and the teen Hideout zone, night nursery, dedicated youth team, SEGA Village and of course Paddington Bear and Bagpuss’ on board presence.

To celebrate the arrival of Paddington Bear Ocean Village is offering free cruises for children travelling throughout Paddington’s 2008/2009 debut Caribbean seasons.* One or two children of any age can travel free n 7 and 14 night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the original Ocean Village ship or Ocean Village Two when sharing with two people paying the adult fare; flights included.

Gill Haynes, Head of Marketing Communications comments: “Though a renowned traveller, Paddington will join many of our first time cruisers this summer as he embarks on his debut Mediterranean season on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two.

“With this exciting new addition we can offer families memorable experiences with not just one, but two of the most popular and enduring children’s characters of all time. Mums and Dads have grown up with both Paddington and Bagpuss and children today still adore them. These cult icons will delight and entertain the young, and young at heart, and once again demonstrate our commitment to providing imaginative, high-quality and family-friendly holidays.”

*Kids travel free when sharing a cabin with two people paying the adult fare on Caribbean 2008/2009 holidays. Offer excludes Christmas and New Year and other holiday periods, is subject to availability and ends 31 May 2008.

Ocean Village Announces New Summer 2009 Itineraries

Ocean Village, ‘the cruise for people who don’t do cruises’, has announced its summer 2009 itineraries. Venice, Cairo and Istanbul will be new locations on Ocean’s Mediterranean programme for the very first time. Ocean Village 2 will be making its debut between April and October 2009 to these new destinations from Heraklion, Crete.

Bookings will be opening on 21 April 2008 but the preview details for 2009 show exciting seven and fourteen night cruises in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two. New ‘Stay and Cruise’ options are also available, with pre-cruise hotel stays in Palma and Crete.

Ocean Village Two will be embarking on its first Eastern Med season, with three new 7 night itineraries on offer from its summer base in Heraklion, Crete. Headline destinations will be Venice, Istanbul and Cairo, offering the chance to see not only the major must -see cities but also the scenic islands and popular beach locations.

Whilst the weather is more temperate at the start of the season between April and September, Ocean Village Two will follow the Cairo itinerary, with Venice becoming a fortnightly fixture and Istanbul being the option in peak summer between May to August. Cruises can be taken as 7 night or 14 night sailings or as a 14 night stay and cruise option with a week in Crete at a three or four star hotel before joining any of the three 7 night cruises.

Nick Lighton, Managing Director at Ocean Village comments: “These new calls at Venice, Cairo and Istanbul will create a real buzz of excitement with agents and passengers alike. They show how easy it can be to combine an easy-going, high-quality cruise with a shot of culture, time out on the beach, big-city sights, retail therapy and the chance to get active – all at a great value-for-money price. The Ocean Village philosophy has always been to offer a fresh take on cruising and these new holidays are a wake-up call for everyone who hasn’t yet realised the how much fun a cruise can be, as well as a great reason to come back for more for people who’ve already lost their cruising virginity.”

Ocean Village cruisers to see more of the Med

In 2009 Ocean Village will be adding even more Mediterranean cruise holidays to their itineraries, offering cruisers the chance to see even more of the Med.

The new itineraries for 2009 will include sailings to Cairo, Istanbul and Venice onboard the original Ocean Village and also Ocean Village Two, which will sail to the eastern Mediterranean for the first time. The two ships will cruise to an array of ports including Palma, Majorca and Venice, Italy offering a range of seven and 14 night fly-cruise holidays.

Ocean Village managing director Nick Lighton said: “These new calls at Venice, Cairo and Istanbul will create a real buzz of excitement with agents and passengers alike."

In addition cruisers will have the chance to enjoy excursions on a “Palaces and Pyramids” trip to Egypt where they can see the Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo.

Ocean Village also have other sailing that include a “Tapas and Togas” voyage between Palma and Barcelona, with port stops at Tunis, Rome, Genoa and St Raphael.

OCEAN VILLAGE SEES RECORD SALES AFTER TV CAMPAIGN

Ocean Village has seen sales reach record levels for January following its first ever television campaign in conjunction with The Co-operative Travel Group.


The cruise line says it is already 30% up year-on-year with travel agents pushing sales particularly in the second and third week of January.



The 30-second £400,000 campaign was launched on January 11 and will run for a total of six weeks.


It features on the Granada, Central West and Yorkshire ITV1 regions and encourages people to book their cruise holidays with The Co-operative Travel - which owns 300 branches in the area.


Ocean Village managing director Nick Lighton said: "Our January sales to date have beaten all records for the five years since Ocean Village appeared on the scene. Last week we were more than 30% up year-on-year. Travel agents have really responded well to the Wave opportunity, supported by a heavyweight marketing campaign."


Wave opportunity is the name for the peak booking season for January.



The Co-operative Travel Group managing director Mike Greenacre said: "Since the television campaign broke we've seen a clear uplift in interest in Ocean Village and increased footfall in the shops, resulting in very exceptional growth in sales. We're looking forward to sales continuing to build as the TV campaign rolls out over the next few weeks."

Prices for seven night Ocean Village Mediterranean cruises start at £488 per person, when booked through Jetline Cruise.

CARNIVAL TO RAISE EUROPEAN CAPACITY BY 22%

Carnival Corporation is to raise capacity in Europe by 22% next year on the back of record 2007 profits of $2.4 billion.

The US cruise giant's annual net profits were up from $2.3 billion in 2006 as earnings in the fourth quarter ending November 30 were held back by increased fuel costs and higher dry dock outlay.

Net profits for the final three months of the company's financial year dropped by almost 14% or $58 million to $358 million, blamed on "significantly higher" costs of fuel.

Chairman and CEO Mickey Arison said the group's European brands – which incorporate the Carnival UK business of P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Ocean Village – enjoyed another record year "absorbing substantial new capacity and driving significant improvement in unit operating profit".

Overall capacity will grow by nine per cent in 2008, mainly driven by the introduction of five new ships across five brands.

Advance bookings for the first half of next year are "well ahead" with those for the second half "shaping up in a similar fashion".

"While our North American brands will grow capacity at a moderate rate of three per cent, our European brands will increase capacity by 22% next year, including the full year operation of our new Spanish cruise line, Ibero Cruises," said Arison.

"As we grow our European brands, we will be able to achieve economies of scale which will have a favourable impact on our unit costs and profitability."

Fuel expenses are expected to rise by $409 million in 2008.

by Phil Davies