Karnika
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008) |
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | list error: <br /> list (help) Ocean Village Two (2007-On) AIDAblu (2004-2007) Arosa Blu (2002-2003) Crown Princess (1990-2002) |
| Owner | list error: <br /> list (help) Ocean Village (2007-On) AIDA Cruises (2004-2007) P&O Cruises (2002-2003) Princess Cruises (1990-2002) |
| Operator | list error: <br /> list (help) Ocean Village (2007-On) AIDA Cruises (2004-2007) A'ROSA (2002-2003) Princess Cruises (1990-2002) |
| Port of registry | London  United Kingdom |
| Builder | Fincantieri |
| Completed | 1990 |
| Status | In Service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 63,524 tons [1] |
| Length | 245.60 metres |
| Beam | 32 metres (105 feet) |
| Draught | 8.2 metres (27 feet) |
| Decks | 11 Passenger Decks |
| Speed | 20 Kts |
| Capacity | 1,708-2,014 Passengers |
| Crew | 677 |
Ocean Village Two (formerly AIDA Blu, Arosa Blu, Crown Princess) is a cruise ship operated by Ocean Village. She is the second ship in the fleet along with Ocean Village and is the sister ship of the Pacific Dawn which operates for P&O Cruises Australia.
History
Ocean Village Two was built by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy in 1990 as Crown Princess. Her distinctive curved profile—often referred to as 'dolphin-like'—was designed by Renzo Piano. Her sister ship is Regal Princess, now Pacific Dawn. Both the Regal and Crown Princess were on order for Sitmar International and were in the early construction phases when Princess purchased their former competitor. In 2002, the ship was transferred to a new P&O Cruises brand aimed at the German market, A'ROSA.
Operating under the name Arosa Blu, the ship was one of two planned transfers to the A'ROSA fleet. Financial problems prevented the second transfer, and in September 2003, Arosa Blu was transferred to AIDA Cruises.
Refitted and renamed AIDAblu, the vessel re-entered service in 2004, and became the fourth vessel in AIDA's fleet. Like all AIDA ships, the focus is on luxury cruising for those who prefer an active and health-conscious lifestyle.
Ocean Village Two
In April 2007, the vessel was transferred to Ocean Village, and after a small refit in Bremerhaven, was christened as Ocean Village Two by sisters Jodie Kidd and Jemma Kidd. Ocean Village Two currently sails in the Western Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca, Spain. From November 2008, the ship will be operating in the Caribbean from Bridgetown, Barbados and from April 2009, the ship will be sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean from Heraklion, Crete.
The vessel is now an informal cruise ship. The ship has four restaurants (one of which is operated by celebrity TV chef James Martin), 8 bars, a theatre, a casino, 2 Pools, a children's club, and an internet café. The ship also has the largest Spa and Fitness Complex afloat (relative to the ship's size). The Karma Spa and Fitness Complex spans 2 decks and is 14,000 square feet.
On 30 October 2008 Carnival Corporation & plc announced the closure of their Ocean Village brand. Coinciding with this both Ocean Village ships will be transferred to the fleet of P&O Cruises Australia. Ocean Village Two will join the P&O Australia fleet in December 2009 as Pacific Jewel.[2]
References
- ^ http://www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk/cruise_ships_facts.aspx
- ^ "New tonnage to increase P&O Cruises Australia's presence in Fremantle, Brisbane and Auckland". Cruise Business Review. Cruise Media Oy Ltd. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-10-31.