zremove - MV Ocean Countess

Ship Visit – Cruise & Maritime Voyages Ocean Countess. Greenock, 2nd August 2010

My second Scottish Ship Visit of the “season”, at a rather windy and rain swept Greenock. This time it was Cruise and Maritime’s Ocean Countess.

This ship was originally built for Cunard Lines and named the “Cunard Countess”It was built in Denmark in 1974-75 before entering service in July 1976 (the same year I was born).

This rather small ship (by today’s standards), has a gross tonnage of 17,593 and has had a rather colourful lifetime. With an array of owners and operators, including In October 1982, after the conclusion of the Falklands War, the ship was chartered for 6 months by the Ministry of Defence, to support troop movements between Ascension Island and Port Stanley whilst the Falkland Islands airfield was being reinstated.

But, back to the present day, and first impressions of this ship were very favourable. Its newly painted navy blue hull and funnel contrasted perfectly against the white mid section during its £3 million refurbishment programme last winter, and it did look very delightful nestling at the port side, but by now I was eager to explore the inside to see what it had to offer.

The Ocean Countess is positioned in the market as a 3 Star cruise ship, and is aimed at the 60 and pensioners age group, and to perfectly honest, I can see why.

We boarded the ship and were escorted to Hamptons Lounge to have pre-tour refreshments, before being shown around various cabin categories. The cabins very well appointed, and were very spacious indeed, compared to ships of larger capacity.

The inside and some lower grade outside cabin bedding arrangements were of an ‘L’ shaped configuration, but were very spacious and easy to manoeuvre round. Also, we saw some Outside cabins, both in lower decks with portholes and also upper deck with larger picture windows, all of which were again airy and spacious. The only thing of note is with the bedding arrangements, where only twin configurations are offered, until you move up to Suite Categories where large double beds are offered and look excellent considering the very generous cabin space offered.

So, with regards of cabin space, this is a definite thumbs up, but the whole range of accommodation that I saw, the same thought that flagged up at me in every cabin that I witnessed was the basic finishing. Everything looked ordinary. Comfortable granted, but average all the same.

After the Cabins Tour, we got on with seeing the rest of the ship. The Buffet area, for Breakfast and Lunch was situated at the Stern of the ship, with some Inside and Al- Fresco dining area’s which I can only imagine would be wonderful cruising in the hotter regions.

The Lido Deck, 9 was packed with an array of things to keep you amused. There was an adequately sized pool with 2 whirlpools alongside, a small Gym with about 5 pieces of apparatus in, a sauna, an internet centre and also, ‘The Tower Piano Bar where all the action happens when it sparks into life at night time. Also through the daytime, the Tower Bar doubles up as an observation lounge, and also a quiet area where there is also a library and Card Room incorporated into the space.

Further down decks you will find the ‘Hollyrood Show Lounge’, where clients can experience West End type shows, along with invited artists and comedians, but also on selected cruises, dependant on the cruise theme, you will be treated and sometimes amazed or enthralled by a varied spectrum of speakers and experts in their fields, such as Professors of Astronomy, Wildlife and Conservation experts, and also speakers such as ex MI5 agents or retired or A, now D List and beyond film stars.

There is also a Small Casino, Jade Beauty and Massage Centre, and the Reception and Tour Information Deck is very pretty with marble finishing.

And of course, no ship visit is complete without Lunch, and I have to say for the standard of the ship, the cooking really does punch beyond its weight.

For starters, I had Beef Broth, which was very tasty, followed by my obligatory Steak, which again was absolutely delicious, with seasonal vegetables and potatoes, then for dessert I had Vanilla Ice Cream. All of which cannot be faulted.

All chargeable items on Cruise and Maritime Ships are in Pound Sterling, and drinks on board are maybe slightly above average compared to land-side.

In conclusion, this ship pretty much does everything it says on the tin. 3 Star Cruise Line for 3 Star People.

Who does this Ship aim for in terms of passengers? Well, it is my opinion it would be your retired couple, or group from a working class background that may go on a Full Board Package Holiday to the Costa’s or equivalent areas. Alternatively, it would be people who frequent the Coach Tour Sector of the Travel Market.

It is a lovely, cosy ship, nothing startling in terms of refinement or décor, but if you could fill this ship with the aforementioned clientele, it would be sure to be a recipe for a happy, fun loving kind of cruise, with the right blend of people on board.

As it happens, when I was waiting to board the ship, a couple sat down beside me who had just completed their cruise and couldn’t speak highly enough about it, he said that the food, entertainment, crew and blend of excursions were just “perfect”. They were in their 70’s and loved every minute of it!

Please feel free to have a look at my pictures to which accompany and further illustrate this Ship Visit.

Link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GoCruise-Ayrshire/118482481498879?v=photos

Please contact me, John Mair at GoCruise Ayrshire for any further information on this ship, or any other cruise on 01563 551300. I look forward to hearing from you...