ABOARD THE MV AEGEAN ODYSSEY —After a good night’s sleep, it is time to get acquainted with our ship.
This is a small ship and I have to admit a personal preference for smaller ones. It has a capacity of 300 passengers, and there are 258 on board for this voyage. While it does not have the glamor of larger ships, it has charm and character.
Our cabin is a generous size, with a sitting area and a small balcony with room for two chairs and a small table. There is a small flat screen TV, good closet space and a surprisingly large bathroom. The room is kept immaculately clean.
Dining rooms and public rooms are attractive but not glitzy.
The formal dining room, the Marco Polo, is my least favorite. It is in the lower part of the ship, is on the plain side, and feels a bit constrained. Service here is excellent and the food is consistently good though not spectacular.
The best place to dine is the Terrace cafe. There is a buffet as well as stations out on deck, and always a beautiful dessert table. It is so nice to sit outside as the sun sets and enjoy your meal. It is also lovely for breakfast.
There is a small gym area and spa on the upper deck, as well as a small swimming pool and a jacuzzi.
The library is a cozy room, lined in dark wood, with a good collection of books. The Charlton Room has big windows and feels expansive. There is a bar here where you can order drinks as well as specialty coffees. The standard coffee on board is too bland for my taste so I have gotten in to the habit of dropping by here for a double espresso. This is where the entertainment often happens. On this voyage, there is a vocalist, Babette, who is quite good, as well as a musical group, The Dolphin Trio.
The Ambassador Lounge is a comfortable auditorium where lectures are held as well as tour briefings and some shows.
There is a small beauty salon and a shop. Although I haven’t visited yet (and hope not to) there is a medical office and doctor.
No casino, no pubs, no specialty restaurants, but I, for one, do not miss them.
It is a pleasant and attractive ship, small enough that you get lots of individual attention, but large enough to provide everything that one might need. I’m feeling very comfortable on board this ship.
Photos by Barbara Ramsay Orr
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
