Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Club Med 2
★★★+
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 372 out of 500
Accommodation: 150 out of 200
Food: 272 out of 400
Service: 274 out of 400
Entertainment: 67 out of 100
Cruise: 260 out of 400
Overall Score: 1395 out of 2000
Club Med 2 Statistics
Size: Small Ship
Tonnage: 14,983
Lifestyle: Premium
Cruise Line: Club Med Cruises
Former Names: none
IMO Number: 9007591
Builder: Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre
Original Cost: $125 million
Entered Service: Dec 1992
Registry: Wallis & Fortuna
Length (ft/m): 613.8/187.1
Beam (ft/m): 65.6/20.0
Draft (ft/m): 16.4/5.0
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (9,120kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 8
Total Crew: 200
Passengers (lower beds): 394
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 38.0
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 1.9
Cabins (total): 197
Size Range (sq ft/m): 193.8-322/18-30
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 0
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 0
Wheelchair accessibility: None
Cabin Current: 110 and 220 volts
Elevators: 2
Casino (gaming tables): No
Slot Machines: No
Swimming Pools: 2
Hot Tubs (on deck): 0
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: Euros
French ambience and style puts wind in your sails
Overview. This ship appeals to youthful French-speaking couples and singles who want contemporary facilities and water sports in a casual but chic setting that’s different from ‘normal’ cruise ships, with good food and service, and little or no entertainment.
The Ship. Club Med 2 is one of a pair of the world’s largest high-tech sail-cruisers (the other is Wind Surf), part-cruise ship, part-yacht. Five huge masts rise 221ft (67.5m) above sea level; they carry seven triangular, self-furling Dacron sails with a total surface area of 26,881 sq ft (2,497 sq m). No human hands touch the sails, as everything is controlled by computer from the bridge. This also keeps the ship on an even keel via the movement of a hydraulic ballast system, so there is no rolling over 6°. When the ship is not using the sails, four diesel-electric motors propel it at up to 12 knots. The ship was refurbished in 2008, when 10 new cabins were added.
An array of water sports facilities is provided (all except scuba gear are included in the cruise fare), and equipment on the aft marina platform includes 12 windsurfers, three sailboats, two waterski boats, several kayaks, 20 single scuba tanks, snorkels, and four motorized water sport boats. There are two small saltwater swimming pools (really ‘dip’ pools).
Inside, facilities include a main lounge, meeting room, and an extra-charge golf simulator, plus a fitness and beauty center, and piano bar. No gratuities are expected.
Accommodation. There are five suites and 192 standard cabins, all of equal size. All cabins are nicely equipped and very comfortable, and have an inviting decor that includes much blond wood cabinetry. They have a minibar/refrigerator, 24-hour room service (but you pay for food), a personal safe, color television, plenty of storage space, bathrobes, and a hairdryer. There are six, four-person cabins, and some 35 doubles are fitted with an extra Pullman berth.
Dining. The two main dining rooms are Le Mediterranée and Le Magellan. Both have tables for two, for, six, or eight. There is open seating, so you can sit with whom you wish. The Grand Bleu Restaurant has a delightful open terrace for informal meals. Complimentary wines and beers are available with lunch and dinner; there is also an à la carte wine list, at a price. Afternoon tea is a delight. The cuisine provides French, Continental, and Japanese specialties, and the creativity and presentation are good.
Entertainment. Apart from occasional cabaret acts, there is live music each evening.
Spa/Fitness. The Health Spa has a sauna, beauty salon, and treatment rooms for massage, facials, and body wraps. There is also a decent fitness room and a beauty salon, but spa facilities are split on three separate decks.