Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...The ultimate family vacation is getting ready to set sail, and a star-studded godmother is leading the way. Royal Caribbean has announced musical icon Diana Ross as the official godmother of Star of the Seas when the revolutionary Icon Class ship debuts August 2025. With her music inspiring generations of families, Ms. Ross will take the stage to welcome the newest family vacation sailing...
Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is commemorating 35 years of fun cruises from Central Florida with a special celebration aboard its popular Mardi Gras. As the first major cruise line to sail from Port Canaveral in 1990, Carnival has grown its operations over the years to homeport more ships than any other cruise line and embark more than 1.2 million guests from the port annually...
Latest News...Villa Vie Residences proudly announces the inaugural U.S. arrival of its flagship residential cruise ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey, as it docks in Honolulu, Hawaii. This momentous occasion marks the vessel's first visit to the United States, offering a unique opportunity for local residents and officials to experience the innovative concept of residential cruising firsthand....
Thanks
[ 05-18-2009: Message edited by: chrysi ]
This ship is now 37 years old having been been built as one of the original 'Love Boats' in about 1972 !
Last year she experienced a lot of mechanical problems but some new parts were made for one of her engines and she appears to be running OK again.
When booking a cruise on an older ship, much like running an older car, there is always the chance of a problem but mechanical problems can also happen with the newer cruise ships as well !
The company now has a new Managing Director who it is hoped will keep their customers more informed.
Last year it was reported that the first some passengers found out about the engine problems was after they had boarded the ship, at the start of their cruise.
A notice had been placed in their cabins saying that the ships itinerary had been changed !
Not a good way of keeping your passengers happy when some passengers book so they can visit a particular port or ports !
[ 05-18-2009: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ex P&O Cruises) ]
The ship has a symmetrical waterbed ride unlike the stiff lorry like motions of a modern ship. The former less likely to cause sea sickness.
Do get a pair of seabands and ginger tablets just in case.
The staterooms are a bit small but functional. There are about 700 passengers so you are likely to get to know the people onboard well.
Bob is correct, all ships have mechanical problems regardless of age. On QM2 in her first season, a pipe burst over the Queens Lounge showering everyone during afternoon tea.
Rescue:Most ships sail in formation about 10 miles apart. This is far enough so they do not collide yet close enough to help one another in an emergency.
See this thread on a recent Discovery cruise and link from there.
Pam
I think it will be fine to book the cruise and go on! I hope to have nice time and wish the same for you if you are traveling some time soon!
As it is my first time on cruise any valuable ideas would be great!You seem to be experts!
Thank'sChrysi
Rgds/Mike (hilifta)
The most annoying thing to passengers booked on this ship was that the company knew the ship had engine problems, before she started that years UK cruising season, but according to reports from passengers the first they knew of the problems was when they found a letter in their cabin after boarding the ship !
This is no way to treat passengers when the company directors knew the ship had engine problems and may not be able to complete a cruise as advertised.
Other companies have told passengers when their ship have engine problems.
I have noticed that David Yellow, who was the Managing Director for Voyages of Discovery, appears to have left the company.
I wonder if his departure was connected with the complaints from passengers which have been featured in the UK newspapers and on the BBC !
Lets hope Yellow does a better job looking after their passengers and keeping them informed of any problems with the ship.
He had a lot of unhappy passengers when working as Managing Director for Voyages of Discovery !
Invitations to comment about the problems with the mv Discovery on a couple of the cruising websites were ignored although an invitation was emailed to him through the VOD website !
A number of passengers complained that they had been kept in the dark about the engine problems with the mv Discovery and changes to itineraries until they boarded the ship and found a notice in their cabins !
This attracted the attention of the local BBC radio consumer programmes and some of the national British newspapers !
quote:Originally posted by Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company.:Interesting to see that David Yellow has now turned up working with the Gerry Herrod and Voyages of Antiquity as their Managing Director !
You have made this statement a couple of times now. He did not 'just turn up', it was announced back in February that in April he would be leaving VoD to join Gerry Herrod. So has been there quite a few months.
quote:Originally posted by PamM:You have made this statement a couple of times now. He did not 'just turn up', it was announced back in February that in April he would be leaving VoD to join Gerry Herrod. So has been there quite a few months.Pam
Some may have missed it before if they were on holiday !
It does not alter the fact that he would not talk to the press or answer questions on some of the cruising websites !
Even the staff posting above, from Voyages of Discovery, says that things are better now he has gone !
[ 09-17-2009: Message edited by: Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company. ]
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...