Cruise Talk: Discovery

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Author

Topic: Discovery

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 05-30-2004 06:58 PM

We have received a very enticing offer on a South Pacific cruise aboard the MV Discovery for next January. Looking for any update on the performance of this line.

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Nautical Nigel
First Class Passenger
Member # 2326

posted 06-02-2004 08:24 AM

James.

I have been on the ship twice. Once from Harwich where it was all OK and once around New Zealand where the weather and the fact that there were only 3 engines played havoc with the schedule. I also sensed that the levels of service had deterioated in the intervening 6 months.

My instinct is not to try them again. A lot of the Americans on board were talking about legal action on the NZ cruise.

Posts: 81 | From: London, England | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 06-02-2004 10:44 AM

Nautical Nigel, Thanks. We have until October to cancel at no penalty and the fare and itinerary are so enticing that we would like to receive further reviews.

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 06-02-2004 12:01 PM

Oh leave it to us Americans to talk 'legal action'.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 06-02-2004 01:41 PM

My aunt and her best friend have just been on the ship to the Baltic for ten days and came home raving about what brilliant value she is.

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 06-02-2004 05:45 PM

James, this previous thread may be of interest if you haven't seen it already.
Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Eric
First Class Passenger
Member # 2724

posted 06-03-2004 03:20 PM

Our local vicar was on first trip to Baltic after return to Europe (cruise with Voyages of discovery) & he says it was good. I did ask him if there were any engine problems & he said not that he knew of & no late port arrivals.
My comments on the thread to Nigel linked to by Pam still hold good in my opinion, max number of passengers in Antarctic = 400 & therefor crew may have been reduced for NZ as booking were not good for transpacific.
Eric

Posts: 421 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

Nautical Nigel
First Class Passenger
Member # 2326

posted 06-04-2004 08:07 AM

Eric.

My trip was at the end of Feb so I would expect the engines to be OK now.

The thing to remember is that between May and November the boat is chartered to Voyages of Discovery, based in Britain. During that period everything is OK. However the rest of the year it is run by the US company which I think is called Discovery Cruises and this is when things went pear-shaped last year.

I understand that Voyages of Discovery have not re-engaged the top brass for the Summer Season so there could be a change. However I would not l;ike to guarantee what will happen when she starts her wanderings to and from the Antartic and New Zealand.

Posts: 81 | From: London, England | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

Tim in Fort Lauderdale
First Class Passenger
Member # 953

posted 06-04-2004 09:01 AM

Whether Discovery is operating under her charter to VOD or during the winter by DWC, the crew, staff and senir management aboard the vessel are the same. VOD simply charters the ship and acts as a sales & amrketing agent. DWC provides all aspects of marine & technical management, staff & crew and all hotel operations year 'round.

I've only heard good reports about Discovery; some rave it's excellent, some say it's good/OK but I haven't heard anything I would consider 'bad' other than a few pax seemingly unaware of the age of the ship.

Tim

Posts: 1468 | From: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 06-04-2004 10:49 AM

Thanks to you all. Since our trip will last 64 days we will appreciate all current info. We are experienced cruisers, but wouldn't want to be stuck on something unhappy for that long!

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 06-05-2004 03:36 PM

Tim is it correct that The Discovery is only on Time Charter to Voyages of Discovery and she is still technically only marketed by them and they supply all passengers and sales otherwise it is run by Discovery World Voyages?

And tell me if I am wrong but a bareboat charter is just like a company charters a ship and supplies its own staff,crewing,marketing,etc as if they owned the ship?

I'm not sure thought the difference between Time Charter and Deck and Engine Charter?

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

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