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Gerrod Herrod, British travel entrepreneur, may not be a household name on this side of the Atlantic, but his cruise lines certainly conjure up cruise travel in the best sense of the term. In the 1980s Herrod started Ocean Cruise Lines and then bought Pearl Cruises, and in the 1990s he established Orient Lines--ultimately selling them all. After a short hiatus, last year he launched Discovery World Cruises and the MV Discovery to attract much the same seasoned clientele he cultivated in the past.

According to Herrod, Discovery chairman and CEO, similarities between this new line and his previous companies would include "a focus first and foremost of the destination, meaning intriguing itineraries, carefully planned shore excursions at reasonable prices, top guest lecturers, and local cultural entertainment onboard wherever possible. Our cruise-tour formula has proven successful, so we press on by combining itineraries to interesting places with included hotel stays and city sightseeing before and after the voyage, and doing so while offering good value."

The 650-passenger/20,216-gross-register-ton Discovery began her sea life in 1972 as the Island Venture, soon becoming the Island Princess, one of the original "Love Boats," operating for many years under the Princess Cruises' banner. After a short career taking tourists from South Korea to a scared site in North Korea, she was bought by Herrod. He gave her an impressive refit to start cruising again in mid-2003. "She is a wonderful vessel," he explained. "She is built with a stronger hull and deeper draft than many of today's megaships, so her sea-keeping abilities are fast rate. Her size is also key to exploring out-of-the-way places and remote islands that larger ships must avoid."

The Discovery operates a split personality between five winter months for the North American market under the banner Discovery World Cruises and the remaining seven months on charter to the British firm Voyages of Discovery. While few Americans find their way aboard during the UK charter period, Brits, Australians, and New Zealanders, as I found on my spring cruise, mix in during the North American season.

Herrod explains, "While under charter operating in Europe, the ship is not ours to market; it is a British tour operator offering cruises to British passengers. Therefore, we do not envisage our clients sailing while it's under charter. That said, the reverse has occurred. Passengers who cruised last summer were attracted to our Discovery World Cruises' itineraries and booked passage this past season."

Then late last summer, All Leisure Group, owners of UK-based Voyages of Discovery, announced that the firm will purchase the Discovery and Discovery World Cruises USA from Herrod, who will remain involved as a consultant beginning mid-May. Thus, North American cruisers will now be able to book the ship's entire program of European, North and South American, and Pacific Ocean itineraries and sail with British, Australian, and South African passengers.

Stepping aboard the Discovery in Fort Lauderdale in mid-April, I immediately felt continuity with Orient Lines, as many top staff and Filipino crew loyally followed their boss to his new venture. Even public room names were borrowed from past vessels, such as Seven Continents Restaurant, the Yacht Club (alternative restaurant), and the Palm Court.

Between November 2003 and April 2004, the Discovery had spent her inaugural North American-marketed season in South America, Antarctica, the South Pacific, New Zealand, and then across the Pacific via Hawaii to Mexico, the Panama Canal, and island-hopping from Florida trans-Atlantic to England.

For Antarctic cruises, the ship reduces the passenger capacity to 450 and takes on 11 naturalists for an enrichment program and to lead shore excursions. Passengers are ferried to shore aboard six Zodiacs and the ship's tenders. Two landings per cruise are guaranteed, and if the weather cooperates, there will likely be more. Ships larger than the Discovery cruise the Antarctic Peninsula but do not land passengers; expedition vessels smaller than the Discovery can land all their Antarctic guests at one time, but at premium rates. So the Discovery provides a moderately priced Antarctic cruise for those who could otherwise not afford to go. The average passenger age hovers around 70; but Antarctica voyages draw a younger group.

On my Discovery voyage, embarking at Ft. Lauderdale for England, I found the atmosphere low-key and traditional. The sea days offered enrichment lectures, films, deck games, gym & spa activities, afternoon tea, reading, and lots of socializing. The theme was the ocean-liner era, appropriately set on an ocean crossing with talks by former officers and films that evoked life at sea on ships trading to Bermuda, Australia, and South Africa. This theme cruise will be reprised in December, southbound from England to South America.

Built in early 1972 in Germany, the Discovery is one of the last ships to be designed with upward sheer--that graceful curve to the decks that is so pleasing to the eye--which, coupled with streamlining, gives her an ocean-liner profile. Navigating the ship, with her moderate size and organized layout, is relatively simple. Public rooms stretch the length of Riviera Deck with naturally lighted side galleries providing an enclosed promenade. A view of the sea is never far away

Outdoor activities such as deck quoits, shuffleboard, golf putting, and ping-pong take place on the four highest decks, providing pockets of privacy and eliminating crowding. The retractable dome allows for all-weather use of the pool and two whirlpools, and provides a well-protected space to enjoy buffet breakfasts and lunches. Pool-area deck chairs are of the white plastic type, while others, located on the open promenade and at the stern railing, are traditional wooden steamer chairs with cushions. Outdoor deck space is generous and wind-protected.

Colorful furniture patterns give a cheerful atmosphere indoors, especially where natural light streams in. Several public rooms have forward- or aft-facing views, and they lend themselves to reading, quiet contemplation, and conversation during the day, taking on a more social buzz in the evening.

The Discovery Lounge and adjoining Explorer Bar have a wide swath of two-deck-high glass looking out onto the aft pool deck. Passengers gather inside for drinks and dancing before and after dinner. The curved mezzanine above holds the card room. On the starboard side amidships, the Palm Court serves as a connecting gallery, reading room, and the main location for afternoon tea with light streaming in through the promenade-deck-style windows.

The forward-facing Carousel Show Lounge provides gently terraced, semi-circular seating for specialty lectures (one of the line's strengths), and evening entertainment such as classical concerts, singers, comedians, crew shows, and local folkloric acts. Additional venues are an impressive library, smallish casino (with four roulette, blackjack and poker gaming tables and three-dozen slot machines), a cinema, night club, gym, spa & beauty salon, internet center, photo gallery, boutique, and an impressive two-deck-high reception lounge with mezzanine.

The 351 average-size cabins and suites include 222 outsides (windows or portholes) but none with private balconies. The 17 cabin categories are spread over five decks, and room configurations vary even within the same level. Bed arrangements include twin or double beds (some in L-shaped arrangements), direct-dial telephones, TVs, safes, and built-in hairdryers. All categories have some cabins with a third upper berth or a sofa bed, and a few can accommodate four. A large number are set aside for single travelers. The highest categories have tub baths, and Bridge Deck rooms have views partly obscured by lifeboats. Interconnecting cabins are not displayed on the deck plan.

My cabin, 7101, was forward facing with an upward sloping deck and furniture footing crafted to match the curve. The large-view window looked onto a small forward deck then over the bow. At night, the shades had to be drawn so file light did not interfere with the bridge watch one deck above, The cabin was roomy and had a comfortable couch, coffee table, a large-screen TV, vanity cum desk, three closets, and plenty of shelf space. The bathroom had a full-size tub and wide counters but no toiletry shelves.

For dining, the Seven Continents Restaurant handles passengers during two seatings (6:30 and 8:30 p.m.) at assigned round and banquette tables for four to eight (a few tables for two are available). Situated low down in the ship for stability, the dining room does not offer much of a view. The sprawling space, partly divided by low partitions and slightly raised at the sides, has a ceiling ribbed by a series of horizontal concave arcs giving the room a bit of height. The food is good international fare, well prepared and varied, and the polite Filipino service is of a high standard. Evening dress may be formal, informal (men in jacket with or without a tie), or smart casual (a collared shirt and slacks on the men). A sloppy appearance does not exist on this ship.

Dinner menus include three appetizers, two soups, five entrees (one of which is vegetarian), three desserts, and a generous cheese selection. Notable items on my cruise were the cioppino, a California-style fish soup served with garlic bread, most of the more spicy soups such as West Indian bean, fresh swordfish, blackened mahi mahi, key lime pie, and chestnut mousse cake. Dinner wines are very fairly priced, starting at $16.

The 80-seat Yacht Club, a high up observation venue, serves as the alternative restaurant on most nights, offering varied Asian, East Meets West, Italian, and South Pacific menus, often geared to the cruising region. Reservations are required, not usually a problem, and there is no extra charge. If you dine early, you will get a sweeping view of the sea ahead.

Aft on the same deck, the Lido Buffet serves breakfast and lunch in an open setting, under cover of the lido deck overhang, or indoors in the Yacht Club. A sliding glass roof may be rolled out if the weather takes a sudden turn. Breakfast offers freshly cooked eggs and an omelet station. At lunch the pasta station serves a daily special; occasional elaborate barbecues include chicken, lamb chops, steaks, grilled fish, sausages, and hamburgers. In fine weather, outdoor evening barbecues are held here.

The days at sea are a delight, with plenty of places to roost. The-passenger mix from the English-speaking worlds of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres makes for a rich social life with no language problems.

Discovery owner Gerry Herrod has recreated his original Orient Lines' concept with this newly refitted ship, providing a comfortable, well-run, moderately-priced, destination-driven cruise with a team of specialty lecturers geared to the still curious, mostly older passengers.

For more information contact your travel agent or Discovery World Cruises (Cruise Travel Magazine), 1800 SE 10th Ave./Suite 205, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; or log on to www.discoveryworldcruises.com.

COPYRIGHT 2004 World Publishing, Co. (Illinois)
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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