Thomson Spirit

[Tina1uk]

Hello to Everyone.

I would be interested in hearing any comments concerning the Spirit, particularly those from people who have also traveled on the Destiny. We have just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Destiny. We were so impressed that we made an on board booking to travel with the Spirit next September for two weeks.

 

Our cabin is booked, on deck 2 - inside 638. Has anyone out there had cabins in this area?

 

We will be doing the Adriatic Explorer & the Pearls of the Aegean itinerary.

 

Thanks

[steelerannie]

We've been on the Spirit, Emerald and Destiny and the Spirit is definitely our favourite ship!! We've always had an inside cabin on deck 2. Some are bigger than others - but all of them are bigger than the Destiny. We did the itinerary you are doing on the Emerald - it was lovely.

 

I'm sure you will love it.

 

Ann

[kruzseeka]

Hello to Everyone.

I would be interested in hearing any comments concerning the Spirit, particularly those from people who have also traveled on the Destiny. We have just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Destiny. We were so impressed that we made an on board booking to travel with the Spirit next September for two weeks.

 

Our cabin is booked, on deck 2 - inside 638. Has anyone out there had cabins in this area?

 

We will be doing the Adriatic Explorer & the Pearls of the Aegean itinerary.

 

Thanks

 

Hello again, Tina :)

 

Before I start, I must say that we've had fabulous holidays on both ships and you will find different regular Thomson passengers will have different favourites. I would happily travel on Destiny, Spirit or Celebration (these two are sister ships and very similar) so it's the destination which makes our minds up for us. The Adriatic/Aegean is really way up there as one of the best we've ever done - so that's a good start!

 

My views on the comparison of Destiny and Spirit:

 

1. More or less the same 'Thomson product':

Service, food, entertainment, hygiene, warmth & welcoming atmosphere, fabulous crew (these are all excellent and the 'plus' factors which keep us travelling with Thomson)

 

2. Cabins: In my opinion, the cabins on Spirit are much better - more spacious, good storage (drawers and full length hanging space) and a bit more welcoming (warm colours, oldish but quite decent quality finish). On our last trip on Spirit, they'd got new duvets too which was a big improvement.

 

The ensuites are a bit dated to say the least - the mosaic tiling in the showers in particular does not look good and are in need of a face-lift. This is the worst negative on both Spirit and Celebration I think but the housekeeping staff do an excellent job of keeping the cabins clean. On the plus side, the shower cubicle is a bit larger than Destiny (couldn't be much smaller!) and there are very good, large storage cabinets in the ensuite for toiletries.

 

We've stayed several times on Deck 2 generally around 660 and also 640 - no problems! The cabins are exactly the same as the basic ones on higher decks and we find them perfectly adequate. (Cheaper cabins = more trips!!)

 

3. Dining: Destiny has fixed dining - same time, same dining companions each night in the main restaurant. Spirit has 'open dining' which we much prefer as you're not tied into a definite time and with fixed dining, if your dining companions aren't the best of company, it could be a bit of a 'downer'. (We were lucky and had fab companions on both Destiny trips though!) Having said that, if you do want to sit with some new found friends each night, or want the same waiters (because they get to know you and do look after you very well) you can arrange that with your waiters and you can go to their table every night.

 

The waiting staff on both are superb - but although there is a bit of a sing-song on the last night on Spirit, they don't do 'showtime' every night like Destiny - this was fantastic.

 

The Lido restaurant is perhaps the biggest difference. You will know that the Lido on Destiny is a bit draughty - we thought it suited the Caribbean well as it was very warm - but in the Med we thought it was a bit too 'open'. I did like the Destiny outdoor seating for lunches and for the grill/BBQ etc. though. On Spirit the Lido restaurant is mainly indoors with much more seating inside than the enclosed area of Destiny. There is a smaller outdoor seating area on Spirit and a bar/pizza station/speciality corner.

 

4. Pool Deck: The pool deck is much larger and better on Destiny and the pools are bigger too. The Mast Bar? (if that's it's name) overlooking the pool bar is lovely and there isn't really anything equivalent on Spirit.

 

5. Bars: There is a Horizons Bar on Spirit at the top of the ship with lovely 180 degree viewing area. I think it's better in some respects than the Sky Bar as there is a central area with small dance floor and a live group play up there - it's a very mellow area and has a bit more atmosphere. Blakes equivalent on Spirit is the Explorers Lounge where, instead of a middle-of-the-road pianist, they have a classical duo/trio - but they are pretty easy listening too - but just a different emphasis between the two ships here. The other Bars by the casino on both ships are similar in function/style.

 

6. Showlounge: Very similar on both ships - arranged with tables and wine steward service. Shows are the same pretty well - the show teams change and some are outstanding, others very good - but perhaps just not quite as good as some others you've seen - but it's all relative. It's the luck of the draw - and the standard in general is superb.

 

7. Nightclubs: The Oklahoma Lounge is a much nicer space on Destiny - larger and more airy but the type of entertainment in here and in High Spirits (which is pleasant - just lower ceiling and more intimate feel - but gets a bit packed on occasion) is the same. The entertainment team do the game shows etc plus late night cabarets from the showteam.

 

8. Cinema: None on Destiny - relatively new films shown about 4 x a day on Spirit and changed daily.

 

9. Sunbathing areas: Get a bit full on Spirit - probably a bit less space than Destiny but we've always found somewhere when we've wanted to sit out.

 

10. Shops: Very similar

 

11. Destination Services: We've found to be excellent on both ships.

 

12. Layout: I think the layout of Spirit is easier to navigate around than Destiny - it's that disappearing deck half-way along that throws me on Destiny - took me two trips to sort it out!!!

 

I can't think of anything else but if you want any more info - just ask. There are a couple of quite long reviews from earlier this year on both itineraries. If you want to read them, let me know and I'll try to locate them for you. Most of the destinations are the same (but there are a few new rather interesting ones too) so if you have any questions I will help if I can.

 

Anyway, as far as the Spirit's concerned, I'm sure you will have a great time - all the best features of the Destiny are present and any differences are nothing to be concerned about. If anything I actually prefer Spirit/Celebration - but like the Destiny too. Happy sailing! :D

[Tina1uk]

Thanks to you both for taking the time to write your thoughts, much appreciated. I have lots of time to look into the ports of call. Very excited.

[jenny wren]

We've done that itinerary on Emerald and it was absolutely superb.....the best cruise we've done I think ...just booked Spirit for next March for the Pharoahs and Promised Land itinerary which should be a bit different!!

[Beckyfaye-2008]

Jenny Wren

We are also doing this cruise in March 2010, what date are you going, we sail on 10th March.:D

[jenny wren]

OOOh so do we!! We're having a week in Paphos first as it seemed a long way to go for a week!

[Beckyfaye-2008]

We are flying from Stanstead, which is only 45 minutes from us, our daughters other half runs a Car hire firm, so he will be taking us to the airport.

[jenny wren]

We'll be flying from Exeter which is about an hour and a half from here so we'll be up early as the flights 0800 !! lucky you not having to pay to park your car !!

 

Our kids are all in Hampshire so no lifts available for us as we're in Cornwall!!

[soulman1]

Hi,

 

I've been on the Spirit, Celebration and Destiny and reading the comments that Kruzseeka posted has summed up the comparsions perfectly. I'd personally like to thank kruzseeka because they are always very very helpfull with the replies and spend time helping us, keep up the good work kruzseeka it's much appreciated. Tina uk 1 you've booked it and you will enjoy being on the spirit I'm sure, the three ships all have their own identity( even though the spirit and celebration are sister ships) and they're great.:D:D

[pauline wales]

We returned fron the Spirit a few days ago and had a wonderful time. We have sailed on all the Thomson ships now and consider the Celebration and the Spirit to be the best. TheLido restaraunt on both far outshine the Destiny which I found to be a waste of time unless the weather was really good. We also much prefer the open dining on the Spirit. The C.D. on our cruise was Stephen Guy who we have sailed with a few times before and definitely the best C.D. and team we have ever had, even taking into consideration NCL and Princess.

[jodzy]

Hello we are considering the thomson spirit cruise pharoahs and promised land on 10th march 2010 but I am not sure what the temperature will be like - do you have any idea (although I know there's never any guarantees about the weather!!)?? Is it hot enough to sunbathe or would I look silly in my bathing outfit!

Thanks

[jodzy]

Hello I'm just wondering when you sailed on the spirit? We're thinking of going on the pharoahs and promised land in march 2010 and I'm wondering about the weather - would it be sunbathing weather or not. If you've been at that time of year you might be able to advise me? Thanks!

[Beckyfaye-2008]

Jodzy

Temperature, especially Egypt should be in the mid 70's.:)