Katomerikaf

I would like to take a tour which incorporates a chocolate factory, spice farm and also a rum distillery.

Any ideas ?

We got a water taxi to Grande Anse beach and spent an hour or two there before walking back to St Georges.

The walk back was very nice but was alongside the road - mainly on pavements/sidewalks. It took us to the Carenage where we sat a while enjoying the views with a beer !

We then walked back over the hill back to the port area and had a look around town. We found the walk to be ok and not too strenuous and had plenty of time - we were just here for the afternoon.

does anyone have any info about beaches near to the port and prices for public transport to them ?

I suggest you have a look on Tripadvisor for more reviews.

We went on the trip and really enjoyed it - yes pricey but ship tours always are. We had the best rum punches and pina coladas to enjoy!

It was a bit bumpy but not too bad.

Before we went I did a lot of research into what we wanted to do and see at each of our stops and I think this saved a lot of time when we got there. We always got off the ship fairly early so that we gave ourselves plenty of time to get back to the ship on time and also have a look around the town we had docked at. I sent lots of emails to various places including bus stations so I knew which bus I needed to get!

I know that there were lots of tour companies and local taxi firms that lots of other people from the cruise ships use and they all seem to offer fairer prices than the excursions offered on board ship.

St Lucia

- Definitely Cosol tours. You are taken to all the main sightseeing places and only on a beach in between the Pitons for an hour. Can't recommend this company and tour highly enough! You pay on the day and they are ready and waiting for you as you get off the ship. It cost US$75 and included plenty of food and drink.Check out other reviews on Tripadvisor.

-plenty of shops.

St Kitts

- The railway - I'm sure this is only bookable through the cruise line, but we really enjoyed it and the cocktails and rum punch were flowing freely - beat ever pina-colada!

-there is Brimstone Hill Fortress that we intend on visiting in March - don't know yet about buses/mini-vans but I'm sure that taxis will take you there.

-we also went into Basseterre and had a wander around the town and then had a longer walk around the bay.

-tourist shops near cruise terminal.

Barbados -

-Buses are very easy to use in Barbados.

-on our middle Sunday we walked into town and took a bus out to walk along the Southern Boardwalk.This wasn't actually very long so after an hour or so at the beach we walked back towards Bridgetown. This was a nice walk and went through various older parts and through the Savannah Garrison area. Back in Bridgetown there is a small marina area.

-we did the farewell tour on our last day which we really enjoyed and could recommend as we weren't hanging around the ship. The trip took you to various places of interest and included a delicious buffet lunch. You were then dropped off at the airport in plenty of time.

- beaches - do it yourself - the beaches are within walking distance or a short taxi ride or use the public buses.

- everything is shut in Barbados on Sundays apart from places to eat/drink and some tourist shops near the beaches.

-shops near cruise terminal.

Antigua

-we walked to the bus station and got a very fast mini-van to the area around Jolly Harbour(re-visiting where we honey-mooned!). There is a big marina area here with several eating/drinking places and a few shops. There is also a lovely beach, again with bars etc so you could have a good wander around.

- I would recommend going to Nelson's Dockyard/ShirleyHeights/English Harbour - there are local tours available just outside the cruise dock. We intend on using public buses for this when we go!

-St John's is a nice town to look around.

-plenty of shops.

St Maarten

-LOADS of shops in Phillipsburg. Very busy and not our cup of tea at all !!

-easy walk from the cruise terminal into town.

-we jumped into a mini-van behind the main shops and went into Marigot for a look around. US$2 each and very easy. Marigot is a lovely town with a French feel. There was a market, marina and plenty of shops.

-be wary about minibuses/taxis just outside the cruise terminal as they are supposed to be extortionate - check out St Maarten on Tripadvisor and the thread on this website.

Road Town

-we jumped on a safari bus and went to Cane Garden Beach. US$8 each, each way. Lovely beach with the usual facilities and market stalls. You could also get an island tour for $15/20. Don't know where they went though - seemed to be well organised by tourist companies.

-nice town to wander around-not too touristy.

Hope this gives you some ideas !!!

mtt - i have got some diy tips but no time at the mo!

Will try to post later in the week.

if you put some ideas of what you like to do it might help with my responses:)

any idea who the new cd will be ?

Sounds good Gill.

Can you remember what cabin number you had - we are on deck two when we sail and very near the front and a bit worried about noise from another post on this forum !!

We were on the same cruise last year but on Celebration and had a great time.

As regards to attire - just wear what you feel comfy in. We made an effort each night - smart shirt, trousers for him - dresses, smart trousers and nice tops for me and then for new years eve and 'special evenings' a jacket for husband and a dressier dress for me! We ate in the more formal dining room each night and not the buffet - not sure about evening attire in this restaurant.

Some people dressed less formally than others but it is all personal choice.

We caught the bus to palm beach on Aruba (US$2.30) and had a walk back to the cruise terminal. It was a fair walk but we left plenty of time and hugely enjoyed it! We then took ourselves for a wander around the town which was lovely. There are lots of shops if that floats your boat, but we just enjoyed wandering around a couple of parks then around the marina area.

At Curacao we took a bus to Mambo beach (US$2) but didn't stop!!Not our kind of beach - it was man made and in a complex with all areas designated as far as i could see - it was a pay beach and US$3.50 - sunbeds etc extra (we prefer to find a quiet patch on the sand away from it all!!). Don't let this put you off though -do some research and you should find a great beach I'm sure. We went back into Willemstad which is beautiful! Lots of cafes, bars, restaurants etc (and shops!). Great area for people watching and just chilling for a while. There is also a few old port and fort areas in town that are interesting to look around.

Bonaire - we were here for just a morning and for some reason we chose to take a cruise ship tour which was pricey for what we got. To be honest there didn't seem much to see and we stopped at some places that i still don't really know what they were. I would suggest that if you want a tour get a local one as you get off the ship. We did go and see the slave huts which is something I will always remember. We did see a very small beach approx half an hours walk away (no facilities).The town is fairly small but has a nice seafront area with bars/cafes. The sea around Bonaire is very clear and we saw some incredible blue fish from the walkway, so perhaps a glass bottom boat ride would be an option - we will try and do this if we return!

Has anyone had cabin 2001 on Discovery who can tell me what it is like ?

Eg noise, space, storage etc.

Do your research online and then ring around travel agents.

We paid less than the online price and NO admin charge !

OH did ring around to four or five different Thomson TAs around where we live - all coming back with prices that were varied. Some where more than online prices, some matched the price but then added the admin charge and then the one we went for - less than online and no admin fee.

Can't understand why they were all so different but it was worth the groundwork.

Two things spring to mind with people's expectations/requirements for Discovery.

1. We need realistic and honest reviews - not just reviews that are just focussing on the bad bits.

2. Thomsons really need to get to grips with what is happening on board their new ship and how it is sold to customers. They should be taking into account the experiences of their customers (many repeat ones) and listen to what is being said and happening and take suitable action.

This is just my opinion but having had a brilliant cruise on Celebration over the new year I am beginning to wonder about our Discovery one early next year......

SWFC - Have a great cruise and give us your best Sheffield views when you return ;);)

Thanks - will do

Don't mind being near crew cabins but didn't realise that kitchens etc were above :(

Thanks for review Shot2bits. gave me some good ideas and tips for our cruise next March.

Bit worried about cabin 2003 -pretty sure that is the one we pre-booked :eek::eek::eek:

Any more info about the noise etc ?? Do you think we would be better changing rooms ?

Hi Queenmandy,

Although I haven't called into Kalamata on a cruise ship, I have holidayed in the area several times.

Kalamata town itself is just a typical working Greek town but doesn't hold any particular interest to me so I have only been there a few times. There is a castle and a big church from what I can remember. Kalamata was hit and damaged by an earthquake in 1986 and lots of the old buildings were destroyed.

It does however have a huge beach. There are the typical facilities eg sunbeds, tavernas, watersports and also quieter areas for sitting on the beach. The beach is in walking distance for us but it does depend on how far you like walking - there should be taxis available.

I'm not sure how long you have there but there are some great ancient sites that you can visit if it's your kind of thing eg Ancient Messina, Sparti .

I know some ships do a tour of the Mani and this takes you to various villages around and about but when I have seen these you only seem to have time for a drink not enough time for a good look around or time to relax.

It is however a beautiful area and very scenic as you drive out of Kalamata. Hope this gives you a bit of help :)

PDF not much good in the bath either ;)

This time when we booked OH rang around all the Thomson TAs and managed to get the price down to below the online price AND without the admin charge - but you're very right we do all the work before we get there and often have to point out things on screen that some travel agents miss !!:o

Last time i booked in store i had nothing but problems ! Think it depends on the staff in each store :)

Very sadly we have his and hers cruise brochures !!

Very bad idea !!!

That's the best bedtime book a person can have - always finalise my holiday ideas from a brochure and then look online as a secondary aspect :rolleyes:

I think it would be a shame if everyone leaves their finery at home :(

We don't sail until next year but will be getting dressed up for the dress to impress night - the more people who make the effort the better it will be.

Maybe TUI will re-introduce their formal night......

although I haven't been on Discovery yet - roll on March! - I have read that there is a laundry service onboard and that they have done the usual type of fill a bag for wash and fold charging around £15 I think.

Thanks Grez !!

Looks good - seems to be a much better selection for AI :D

That's me out then !!

I'm sure some photos etc will be available soon without FB :rolleyes: