jayneez

Can I ask who you used in Florence? Going in September and undecided what to do.

. We've used Rome connections and Romcabs both on trip advisor. Both absolutely brilliant . Think we saw a bit more with Romecabs, very professional and passionate about everything. They are available in Rome x Florence.

I totally agree - IGT were really good. Our guide was so knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. We did the Jerusalem and Bethlehem trip and the small bus was able to get into the towns, so less walking which was great for a couple of elderly ladies on our bus.

 

Thanks guys, Its much better this way. We have done this twice now in Rome and Florence you see much more as the Minibuses can get really close to the sites. Just looked on Trip Advisor for recommended Companies to make sure we were safe.

We have booked for the first day in port in Ashdod an excursion for Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. Need 6 to 16 people. If anyone interested please contact http://www.GuidedToursIsrael.com

We are thinking of booking an excursion with 'Guidedtoursisrael' to Jersusalem & Dead sea on our upcoming cruise on Spirit. Anyone done this recently who can give any tips or advice please ?

Anyone been on the bike tour in Larnaca? Would like to go on this in September but was wandering if you have to be a regular cyclist to make it all the way. My hubby would definately do it but all though we do a lot of walking. Not been on a bike in a while, would hate to hold everyone up ?

[quote name='Poppy 123']Having a bit of a rant really.....Our up coming cruise in October will be our sixth with Thomsons. Returned from our last cruise on the Spirit two weeks ago. I booked our next cruise for the Majesty back in April....I know I shouldn't have but I checked on the price of our October cruise and it has come down quite a bit...That's the way it goes I hear you say and yes I agree.. but on looking at the cabins the prices to upgrade are low...so I contact Thomsons to upgrade our cabin and was quoted prices at silly amounts to what is being offered now. I feel this is where Thomsoms falls short in recognising returning customers. I didn't upgrade our cabin but now have to watch the daily fall in prices. Thankyou for reading this far...rant over :mad:[/QUOTE]

know exactly what you mean. We have booked to go on Spirit in September in an inside cabin on deck 2. Looked on website last week to find Cruise cheaper plus could upgrade to outside cabin for £7. I rang up to enquire to be told its for new bookings only. Very frustrating !!!! GREAT , just priced it up again and the outside cabin is no additional cost now. !!!!!!

Good to here things are improving, Lewis is now cd so imagine things will improve

 

Has Katy moved then .

Thanks Poppy123, Were going on Spirit end of Sept. Been on Celebration 3 times and had a great time. We love RCI as well for different reasons but always enjoy our Cruise with Thomson.

2Intense are leaving to go back the the Philipines for a while as it's Maris' daughter's 18th birthday very soon. I am sure they will return to a Thomson ship in the future!

 

Wish they were on Spirit. We saw them on the Celebration,they are amazing, Maris has an amazing voice

Think we will still go, as want to go to Jerusalem, good to hear other people's views. Probably just panicking a little. Trust Thomsons completely after the way they have handled recent crisis

Normally getting excited now about an up coming Cruise but very anxious about our forthcoming Cruise on the Spirit in September to the Holy Land. The FO website is saying to avoid travel to Israel as it is high risk and the surrounding waters near Gaza. After looking at a map Gaza is very close indeed to Ashdod. I wish Thomson would just change the Itinery well in advance instead of at the last minute so we can relax and look forward to it. Wish I,d not paid my balance in full as I would cancel it.

I agree, Palma Itineries old hat.

I'm afraid this news doesn't excite me at all.

 

I think the itineraries will be very 'samey' ;) and I'm ready for a change.

 

I agree. Was really excited about Splendour but sick of the Palma Itineries. Wish it was in Greece and Croatia.

We,re on the Spirit in September. Would actually be a relief if they take Israel off the Itinery after reading Foreign Office travel advice.

We have always had all inclusive drinks package and it includes just about everything. The wine is only house wine but it is always ok. Cocktails, spirits, beer, there is lots of choice, we have always had premium brands too. Some drinks you may have to pay a little supplement eg Kopaberg Cider, Guiness etc, but its not a lot. Last time we went the barman was making cocktails up for us to try that were not even on the menu, he made me Tia Maria and orange juice which I love, they are very accommodating and always serve you with a smile which is priceless. There are several links on here if you look through of bar menus that people have posted on.

I think people who moan about Thomson drinks package prices really need to look at other Cruise Line Prices. We,re paying £140 for both of us for the week in September. The Drinks package on RCI Indy last year was £450 for the week. Plus we had to pay 12 dollars a day Gratuities. The last 3 Thomson Cruises we have been on we got it free booking early. Even if you pay as you go they are still loads cheaper than other Cruise lines.

Here are the deck plans:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/images/Splendour_v2015_may_tcm16-59803.pdf

 

Slightly disappointed that the show lounge is only on one deck. Also, no wrap around promenade - but perhaps I'm being picky. :rolleyes:

 

There is a 7 storey atrium though!

 

The show lounge is huge compared to Thomson, you really don,t need another floor

I remember the comedian on one cruise telling us that the only way to get Thomson cruisers up the climbing wall would be to put a buffet on top....

 

Lol, we heard that one on a RCI ship

Lynne, I would suggest that everyone watches their pennies these days and Thomson are certainly not a cheap option any more (if they ever were!)

 

We are getting 10 days in a balcony cabin on P&O for the less than our 7 day cruise in an ocean view cabin on Majesty in June :rolleyes:

 

Can I ask how you know the casino will be made smaller and the rock climbing wall will be dismantled?

 

I agree, we've always paid more for our Thomson Cruise than RCI, there are cheap late deals for people who don,t mind having what's left. We have done 3 Thomson Cruises and 4 RCI we love them both for different reasons. Most people choose Thomson for it,s excellent customer Service on board, entertainment and Itineries, not because their cheap. We are very excited about the Splendour joining Thomson, she,s a gorgeous ship, not too big,so we get the best of both worlds. :):)

When you dock at Gibraltar there are minibuses waiting outside to take people on the Island Tour. No need to book. They just fill up with 6 - 8 people then off they go. This is a very popular and recommended tour. Probably the same firm as the one you have seen. They drop you off in the town centre for shopping after the tour and you can walk back to the ship (10 - 15 min.) or catch the bus.

 

 

This is correct. We have been to Gibralter a few times, 1st time did Ship excursion, 2nd time did the Minibus at the gate, half the price. Plus they will drop you off in town and it,s only a short walk to cable cars. last year, just walked into town and right up to the cable car station. The Town is very close to the Port. A little tip if you like Pandorra charms, they are very cheap here.

Two of our Thomson Cruises were the Red Sea, the band also played when we departed from Palma ,perhaps it,s just the Celebration then ? That said, their Crew show is fantastic :)

We have booked to go on the Thomson Spirit in September. We have been on Celebration 3 times and Royal Caribbean Grandeur, Mariner and Independence of the seas twice. We have enjoyed them all. Although the RCI ships are bigger and more modern, Thomson service, staff and entertainment are so much better. The drinks package with Thomson is costing us £140 for both of us for a week It's around £450 a week on RCI. Gratuities already in with price. Another advantage of the smaller ships is the Itineries. They can get in Ports the big ships can,t. We quite like the traditional Cruising that you get with Thomson with fewer passengers than the 4000 you get on the big ships. People seem a lot more friendly and you never struggle to find a seat anywhere on board. They even have a band of Crew members playing on the dockside welcoming you back on ship on Port days. A little bit nervous about docking in Isreal, otherwise can,t wait.

We booked to go on Spirit in September a couple of weeks ago to now find they are offering free cabin upgrades , so annoying !!!!

Royal Caribbean put a list of their Cruise Directors on the Net for the season. We've seen Bram on Celebration, he's really good. A good Cd can make or break a Cruise.

Royal Caribbean put a list of their Cruise Directors on the Net for the season. We've seen Bram on Celebration, he's really good. A good Cd can make or break a Cruise. This