MV Discovery Ship Visit

Yesterday I got to visit Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Discovery, originally the sister ship to the LoveBoat the lovely little vessel looks likely to be a part of the Liverpool cruise scene for the next few years.

Launched in 1971, only two years after the QE2, the ship entered service with Flagship Cruises Island Venture, it was not to be however and Flagship found they cold not fill two ships, so Island Venture was chartered to Princess as the Island Princess.

Following P&O’s takeover of Princess Cruises in 1974 sister ship Sea Venture joined the Princess fleet as Pacific Princess, which later earned fame as the star of hit US TV series the Love Boat. She remained a feature of the Princess fleet until 1999 when she was sold to Hyundai Merchant Marine, operating in the Far East as Hyundai Pungak. Acquired by Voyages of Discovery in 2002 she was transformed into Discovery and has operated successfully for them for the past 10 years, where she was replaced late last year by the newer and smaller MV Voyager.

Discovery was chartered to Cruise & Maritime Voyages for a series of ex-UK cruises from departure ports around the country. Carrying 700 passengers this lovely little ship offers a different cruise experience from the huge resort style ships; the ship is not however lacking with four lounges, six bars, two restaurant options, two hot tubs, two pools as well as a gym and health and beauty facilities. My favourite room being the Discovery lounge with its view over the back of the ship looked like a great place to enjoy a drink in the evening.

CMV know the market, and this ship is tailored to meet the needs of its customers. The local departures from Bristol, Harwich, Hull, Newcastle and Liverpool really does bring the ship to its customers.

I say this time and time again but nowhere on earth can you beat the food on a cruise, and having got to sample some of the menu (probably a bit too much.. ) it was great I had an excellent Chicken Masala for starter and an outstanding Fillet Mignonette for mains, the attentive service from the staff, many who have been with the ship for many years, all added to the experience.

Cruise & Maritime do offer a series of shorter cruises, 1, 2 & 3 Nights and I am very interested in booking one as I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend. These cruises are great value, the cost of which for first class food, entertainment and the destinations can be below £100 per person.

Discovery is operating 8 cruises out of Liverpool this year, with 10 planned for next year, with both cruises around the British Isles and further afield to the Northern Lights, the Norwegian Fjords and the Azores. Mike Hall, Head of Marketing for CMV said ‘Liverpool have made us feel really welcome and the new port facilities are exactly what we wanted. Fast and reliable check in and disembarkation facilities plus good local transport connections are key factors’. CMV’s Ocean Countess first launched the cruise facilities on Liverpool’s waterfront last year having previously operated from the much derided Langton Cruise Terminal. (which we have covered to here…alot)

The new temporary terminal is nothing extravagant but it’s doing the job well, the views from the ship are excellent and the city looks brilliant as you can see, who on earth wouldn’t want to dock here. More of my photos from the visit as always on our Facebook page.

CMV is made of a fleet of three ships, Discovery, Marco Polo and Astor. If you are interested in booking a cruise look at their website http://www.cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0844 414 6185.

Have you cruises on Discovery? Let us know what you think comment below, tweet or share your experience on our Facebook

Thanks,
Liam
– Liam@Crociere.co.uk
– Our Facebook
– Our Twitter

Have you seen our other Ship Visits:
– MSC OPERA
– MSC ORCHESTRA