A six-night cruise to try out Cruise & Maritime Voyages ship - Discovery - ex Island Princess and one of the two original "Love Boats" used in the 1970s TV series. What sold this to me - and my friend Caryll ? The ports, all of which were new to me, the chance to sail from Avonmouth and the price - cheap!! - Yes, I know you get what you pay for but it's only six-nights...we thought!!
Friday 12 April 2013
We set off abut 12.15, despite our 4.30pn check-in time!
The M5 had heavy traffic but we still made good time and it didn’t matter arriving
early. The directions were not brilliant – head for airport NOT docks! - and we
had to turn round once, which was frustrating because we could see the ship!
Eventually I drove up to Avonmouth Terminal and offloaded the luggage which was
taken by porters, I then drove to the self-parking I had pre-booked and Caryll
and I walked the short distance back. We were able to go straight to check-in
and were waved on board, without going through any security checks. Walked up
the gangway and were taken to our cabin by a stewardess. One and a half hours
from home to cabin and our luggage was already there before us! That is
efficient!
We had booked a guarantee inside cabin but were upgraded to an outside twin on Coral Deck with portholes. We had twin beds in an L-configuration. I found the foam
mattresses really comfortable, but the beds were only 2’6” wide! .The only
storage was three 18” wardrobes and four small drawers.
There was also a very old wall
cupboard, which should have had a safe in – but it had been removed as
apparently the combination wasn’t working. This was never replaced despite several complaints from us.
The bathroom had a tiled shower with removable and
adjustable shower head, large basin with mixer tap, two corner cabinets and
central shelf. The toilet was a fully water-flushing one like at home. We each
got a small bottle of hair/body wash and a similar small bottle of hand/body
cream, plastic shower cap and tiny bar of soap in the cabin. If I sailed CMV again I would pack shower gel
– it hadn’t occurred to me on this occasion. The toiletries were however freely
replenished. The bathmat on the floor was nicely folded into a little boat
every day!
After freshening up, we set off for a cuppa and to explore
the ship. She is very attractive and for her age (42), smart. I like the
furnishings. She is spacious, deceptively large with two show lounges plus a
separate theatre/cinema.If anything, her layout reminded me very much of
Artemis. On the main passenger deck – deck 6 – there was the Carousel Show
Lounge with bar at one end.
Two wide walkways down to a full-width lobby, then
the theatre – this was the only venue that looked desperately in need of a
revamp, on one side of this was a long seating area, with smart sofas and views
of the ocean, the other side was the photo gallery and Hideaway club-style bar.
Then a games room where the craft classes were held, before leading into the
Discovery Lounge – another show lounge with doors out onto the stern deck and
deck bar. Everything looked smart and clean.
The only dining room – the Seven Continents – was on the
same deck as our cabin – deck 3 and my one complaint was that it had no windows
– or rather it had portholes which were permanently covered by deadlights and
curtains. The Medical centre was also down on deck 3.
Deck 7 was the prom deck – no seating and to walk all round,
you had to go up steps at the front – like the QE2 for anyone who remembers
her.
Deck 9 held the Lido
restaurant and pool area. This is very like Prinsendam – a very small pool
surrounded by tables and chairs with the tea and coffee station and a very
small buffet the whole, covered by a sliding glass roof. What spoiled this area for me was the mishmash
of chairs and tables – teak garden style, dark brown rattan style and some cheap
white plastic garden chairs!
There were lots of open deck areas to stand and get good
views coming into ports etc, but few seemed to have any seats or sun beds. What
was particularly great from my point of view was that the open bridge wings
were part of a small sun deck area so you could listen and watch the complete docking
operations.
On the downside – the four lifts were incredibly slow and prone to breaking down at frequent moments. When they did work – they never seemed to stop level with the deck.
We were both on deck for sailaway and the manoeuvering through the lock as the sun was setting. Then to thecabin to thaw out!
We went into dinner at 8pm (early sitting was 6.15). The
service was slow but the waiters may have been waiting since there were four
empty places on our table for 8. We had to order all courses in one go, including dessert
– but it transpired this was only on the first night – thank goodness. There
were no petit fours but all the food was hot. My “glass” of wine was served in
a tiny jug (50cls) so reasonable value at £5
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