Devon Doll

We have that too, my husband is 83 and has a pre existing condition so had to pay an additional £160 pa for age & condition add ons covering worldwide annual which we consider extremely reasonable. Plus I had a problem in Barbados last year and they paid out immediately.

Anyone taken the local bus from St Johns to Jolly Beach??

We go every time we cruise there. It's lovely but 4 ships in the day we are there so have booked early. Usually busy with ships entertainers too.

I'll send you an update when I get back. I only heard good things about the staff on Thomson and am looking forward to a change.

Thanks, have a great time.

Thank you - I'll look out for the best wine waiter.

 

I have lost count of the cruises I've done, but only ever been on P&O. I wasn't too impressed with my last one. Great locations, great ship but not very good attitude from the people working on the ship (excludes the lovely waiters and cabin staff).

 

Thanks for the tip.:D

Be good to hear your opinion of the cruise when you return as we are on in February. Similarly we have done numerous cruises over the years with P&O but felt it was time to try something different, hopefully on a friendlier smaller ship.

We are on in February and understand they now have 'a dress to impress' night which means you can either do the full black tie or something less formal

Is there food & drink available please.

Jacks walk is accessed from the Botanical Garden which is found by walking directly up the 'Main' Street.

There is only one quite steep turn with rocks and it's advantageous to use your hands to steady you and wear sensible shoes, no flip flops. It takes about 20/25 minutes but quicker on the way down!!! We have done this the last 3 years.

The views are amazing and you feel you have earned a drink when you get back to the town.

In Aruba, we will get the local bus to Eagle Beach & walk back along beaches & road to the cruise terminal.

Been to Eagle beach on the local bus several times but don't think it is viable to walk back.

just checked the port of St maarteen and the thomson celebration is booked in their for winter 17/18 but must be only ports of call as due at 08:00 and leaves at 18:00 , maybe St Lucia as as start point , or maybe hey will leave from San Juan

Hope it's not SanJuan as you have to go thru immigration there and it takes ages.

At one time it was the wash that the large cruise ships created which locals objected to, saying it was destroying the fabric of the place, but, you only have to visit once to see that the cruise ships enter really really slowly (wonderful for photos) and it's the hundreds of water tsxis, water buses zooming around which potentially do the damage

Do Thomsons send your luggage/cabin labels in the post / on line prior to your holiday as other cruise operators do?

Yes, we have booked a specific 4 berth aft cabin on Discovery for the two of us. Had a bit of a struggle as they were reluctant to let us book it for two, it was only when I walked out of the TA that they rang me as soon as I got home to say that the cabin number we wanted wasavailable after all, so we continued with the booking as having a cabin in that location was a condition of making a booking.

Don't think it will be Pointe Seraphine as there are no 'shed' areas to process passengers as in Barbados, think far more likely to be the other side of the harbour in the commercial area

That is debatable after the latest reduction in the quality of P&O food :rolleyes:

Agree, we've just come off Azura and after many years cruising have to say the downward trend is very noticeable.

Despite some negative comments, we shall look forward to trying Discovery.

I booked for next February last February and our price has gone up £650.

I think there are a lot of regular Thomson cruisers who are wanting to try her - by the same token I think we shall see very competitive prices on the other Thomson ships in the short term.

Went to Amber Cove in February. Its totally contrived but very nice nevertheless, however its a no brainer for us - Grand Turk much preferred due to the lovely beach, much more laid back. Never saw any beach at AC, just Cabanas in the sea.

Loungers are free at AC around the extensive wading pool and umbrellas $8.

Looking forward to having a change from P&O and hearing about 'Discovery' from June onwards. Wish we could far from Exeter to more destinations don't you?

Thanks Pensioncruiser, shame about not being able to have Continental breakfast on the balcony, it's one if our favourite cruising moments, ah well. Presume we can go in the MDR as we dislike Buffets or tray rage areas as we call it.

Strange to have to pay for an in cabin safe but I guess it's just one of the ways cruise companies try to get your cash.

We've booked an aft Deluxe balcony cabin on deck 7.

Really looking forward to having a change; we have heard good reports about Thomson cruises, excellent entertainment and pretty good food and we do like the number of islands visited in 14 days which is more than P&O.

Not much difference to overall cost between the two when everything is taken into account.

Hi, just a few minor queries as have virtually always cruised with Cunard or P&O but are trying Thomsons now they are taking over a slightly more modern ship.

What price is wi-fi on board as I need it for business, although following the crew on shore usually suffices?

Can you order Continental breakfast to be delivered to your cabin FOC daily (apart from a tip)?

Will your cabin steward bring ice & lemon daily to your cabin on request.

Do all the cabins gave a safe?

I'm sure I'll think of lots of other things as we get closer.

We are doing the same itinerary but on 19th February- first time with Thomsons

Hi Sue, guess we just had the exception.

Regards Ba.

We have recently returned from Azura in the Caribbean and were disappointed to note the earlier BOBT.

Apart from St. Lucia, we had to be on board generally by 4 or 4:30pm which differs considerably from previous years when the norm was 5:30 for a 6pm departure on virtually every island.

Is this just applying to the Caribbean or is it throughout P&O?

We were in Ochos Rios on Christmas Eve and the four of us did a tour with Courtney Taylor Tours. We did one of their standard tours (tubing on the White River, beach, lunch at Scotchies, shopping stop) because we liked the sound of it. We had a brilliant time, one of the best days of our cruise and it was excellent value.

We went to a beach at Mammee Bay, a short drive from the port and near the Riu hotel. It was a private area with gated access, very safe, snack bar, toilets, etc.

The company is very flexible and will put together almost any kind of package for you. The whole communication and payment process was very easy and stress-free. Samantha in the office is great, just tell her what you would like and I'm sure she'll arrange it. If you do decide to go with them, ask for Karl-Lynton as your driver. He treated us like a mixture of royalty and family, funny, informative, friendly... great guy.

We have booked with Courtney Taylor for the 25th of this month; a group of 10 from this site so pleased to hear it was a successful day for you.

Booked our first Thomson cruise on Discovery for 19th Feb 17 B2B, managed to get a deluxe balcony on deck 7 aft but most had already gone.