22 Hrs on the Spirit

[kalos]

Well that's us back from the Spirit and from personal choice if you put the Majesty,Dream

and Spirit all in the same port and said "Kalos get onboard one of these ships now"

Then I would opt for the Spirit ,less than an hour onboard and my senses told me that me

and this ship were going to get on just fine .

On the Friday morning we were due to sail we woke up from our overnight stay at the

Premier Inn North Sheilds ( Sat Nav NE29 6DL use for the port as well ) and being early risers

and a nice sunny day we had a stroll down the lane for a ten min walk ... 1/4 mile to get our first

glimpse of the Spirit, well a very close up look . A hour later we checked out of the Premier and

drove our car over the road into the Port car-park and with it being just a one nighter we kept our cases

with us ..No drop off as would be the norm for longer cruisers that Thomson do . If you needed help with

your luggage then the Ports personel were more than happy to help. A coach moved you from the Carpark to

the terminal building where you did the normal pre cruise stuff , give them your bank card, passports ,sign to say

your noro free and have your photo taken for your boarding /onboard payment card . Stick a label on your case they

give you with a coulour coded luggage label as well .

This is where all your regular cruisers dump your bags and run onboard the ship and head for the bars etc

Well not on the one nighters we were given a boarding number we were Thomson 1 and then told to wait for that number

to be called and by now the ships crew were among us waiting to guide us onboard . The young lady waiting to take us

to have our bags scanned was a familiar face who I remembered from my times on the Destiny . She told us she was it

was her last day she was only covering for an injury to one of the dancers but just like old times I would see her dance and

sing tonight...More about that later.

We took our own cases onboard but was still met and shown to our cabin 638 which Mrs Kalos said " I thought the Dream cabins

were good but this is far better even though its L shaped layout for the beds,loads of storage space."

Even the safe was at a decent height and not one foot off the floor . It looked modern and clean , ok the the bathroom tiles looked

a little dated but again the bathroom was spotles and clean .

I do remember ages ago someone posting on these threads that "the bathroom had no storage space for shampoos etc ,just a little shelf

under the mirror."

The mirror does open in two parts like a bathroom chest.. with plenty of storage space ...inside it .

 

Talking of the Destiny again. The next person I met was the ex captain of that ship who was now the captain of the Spirit

Capt Ioannis Notarkis so we were in good hands as well .

Only being onboard for less than 24hrs I wasted no time in getting to know and explore the ship ..

 

Deck Ten ..Nice views from up there the sunloungers were not out as we were in Sunny Newcastle (about 23-24oC)

maybe it was to do with being in the North Sea but put the ship in the Med and i bet it can get a bit cramped up there .

 

Deck Nine ... It had a netted sports deck , which some teenagers were making good use of with their football .

Walking to the front of the ship we came to Horizons Bar .. The closest thing to a Sky-Bar yet ,had a drink ,time to move on .

 

Deck Eight... mainly cabins A health club and a outdoor whirl pool ,so down a set of steps down to next level ..

 

Seven which was Kids Club and a laundry which we did not look round so just down another flight of steps brought us to

 

Deck Six .. Had a look inside the High Spirits Bar which looked ok to us and further into the ship came to Mezzanine Bar

Which had Nice seating and a bar with good views to the Broadway show bar below . Nothing really going off in this bar either

as the ship was still loading passengers . Sorry forgot to say that we were one of the first to board the Spirit and was onboard for

11.50 am ..Well done Thomson Spirit !

Outside this deck has a great Promenade deck that you can stroll around the ship or just laze in those proper

(Every ship should have them ) nice brown reclining chairs ,which due to the great weather we had a few hours through the day

in one of them .

Off to the rear (Aft) of the ship again and down a flight of steps to ....

 

Deck Five .. We saw a little stage and the resident ship band was setting up ready for the Sail-away Party ,whilst those passengers

who had come onboard had discovered the bar and the pools out there and were having a great time in the Newcastle sunshine and having a bite to eat from the pizza burger bar out there .

 

Well worth a mention is people,they were using the hand sanitisers and washing hands leaving the rest rooms ,which taking into account

lots of people were first time ever on a ship :cool:.

 

Anyway still on Deck Five ..through a set of auto slide open doors brings me to the best Lido Restaraunt i have ever had

the pleasure to step foot in on any Thomson ship . Its layout is common sense or logical to me , no battling for a spoon full of gravy

next to a custard tart (Flashbacks to the Dream ) ...

and loads of seating to be found and not cramped (Flashbacks to Majesty)...

The Choice of food (Flashbacks to Destiny)

 

Now with the food it was hot steam that was pouring out of the serving trays , a cup of tea you could feel the heat through the cup

and it was not luke warm . The water from the dispensers could have been cooler and for this reason I decided against drinking it .

 

The food Choice was braised steak in gravy , Pork steaks, Fish , hot pasta's /rice, stuffed peppers and a gammon carvery just to name

a few of the mains and a fair choice of hot veg cauli ,carrots, peas and yep Thomsons favourite ..Sprouts ..Which I love .

I would hope that this standard and choice of food is the "Norm " for this ship and not that they were just " Show-casing" the ship with

all those new to cruising customers they knew they had onboard .

Please tell me this is normal as it is the best for a long time on a Thomson ship .

 

After a good meal we went through the rest of this deck which led us to the Broadway Show Bar and onto Raffles and the casino crossing

over to the other side of the deck was the Explorers Lounge which later that night we had a few drinks in .

We could see a internet room and a card room and cinema from sat in this bar .The music was a pianist a violin which was

nice to chill out to if you like to relax with your drink.

 

The Shopping area reminded me of the Dream ,both areas share the same name Broad -Street.

No booze bargains to be had as we were still in British waters so the ship were not selling them .

 

We were offered discounted fags in the Raffles Bar when we had a drink in there though .

 

Deck Four we only stuck our heads around the door to say hi to the guys serving in the Compass Rose which looked really nice and maybe

would have used it if we had been staying onboard longer .

 

Apart from going down to our room on deck two we ventured no further as we had seen enough ,we liked this ship .

Our room as I said was 638 but on deck 2.. other ships the first number gave you a clue to your deck and we would have expected it to be

238 but it was not a problem .

 

Showtime came and we held no expectations of what it would be like and Mrs Kalos and I spoke about the shows we had seen on the other

ships .. Destiny ( first class)

 

The Majesty ( Very good )

 

The Dream ( Tried hard but not there yet )

 

Then the show on the Spirit Dance,Dance,Dance !

 

Which I am pleased to say was First class and you could not have asked for better from a show team , all good singers /dancers .

As well as Clare, I spotted and chatted later with Stephen who moved over to the Spirit from the Destiny .Even he said they are

one of the best teams he has worked with .

Very west end style show with costume changes and a brilliant Can-Can to finish with .

 

Happy with our time so far onboard the Spirit we went for our last evening drinks in Explorers bar again and not forgetting

my friends on here I got chatting to the waiters .as you do and asked about "What's the crack with can drinks and A I ?"

 

Anyway this is what I was told ...Not my version or opinion but how it works on the Spirit with soft drinks by can or glass.

 

The waiters version of how and why ...

 

" Anyone who wants a glass of soft fizzy drink gets charged £1.10 or free if on A I .

 

Anyone who wants a can of soft fizzy drink gets charged £1.80 or .95p if on A I .

 

At this point I did ask " what if the fizzy drink is out of a can part used and flat? "

 

Waiter "Refuse the drink and ask for another ,we are there for you to enjoy your drink ."

 

I also asked "why charge for a full can if on A I ?"

 

Waiter. " I think a few used to get cans and insist that we do not open them ,take them back to room for later .

ship has put cans in room for people to buy but they will not buy because they do this .

 

People in mornings or last thing at night also want to take cans away for airport or days out at the beach

 

or coach trips ,so they do not have to buy them .A I is for on ship only .... not all holiday ."

 

He went on to say Thomson now do it on all ships or will do and if they did not do this then a can would cost more for people who are not A I .

 

Put this way I can see the reasoning behind it as Crown cruisers now do the same with pizza $3 I think .

 

I went on to say the day trippers etc could still pour a glass or two into a flask etc and still they have a drink for nothing !

 

He smiled and said yes,we waiters know this .

 

Asked could I have a copy of the bar list ? ...:D I will put it on later .

 

 

Back to the Spirit ... Would I use the Spirit again ???.. Mrs Kalos likes the coffee onboard and as far as Thomson cruises go

 

this is one of the best I have done and would go as far as to say, i'ts now my favourite ship of the fleet and its got a twin

 

sister ship as well !

 

Thanks to the Spirit for my one night love affair .

 

More to follow ....

 

If your still here thanks for reading ;)

[kruzseeka]

Great review Kalos! Yes basic cabins on Spirit and Celebration are the biggest in the fleet and especially good for storage and drawer space. Also the bathroom cupboards in the en-suites is excellent - best of any ship we've been on!

 

So pleased you had such a good impression of Spirit and as you say - there's the Celebration too! So lots more itineraries to choose from............where are you going to next? ;):D

[Malch_uk]

Thanks for the review Kalos. Sounds just like the Spirit we know and love. Glad nothing's changed.

Can't wait for October 1st when we will be back on board for the 16 day repo. cruise Harwich to Cyprus. (Our 5th time on Spirit so that says something.)

 

PS: when using the water dispensers you have to add ice to your glass from the same machine. The water is not chilled.

 

PPS: The 1st October cruise is now at a very good price if anyone is up for a late booking!!!:eek:

 

PPPS: You can sail in the Canaries on Spirit at the start of the Winter season due to Celebration being in dock.

 

Malc.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Hi kalos, glad you had a good time :)

 

We had a fabulous week on the Spirit, two years ago. A lovely ship :)

 

As I said before, why don't they use BOTTLES of lemonade and coke? I never buy cans - too expensive!

 

How did you get back to Yorkshire then? :confused::D

[Jakanne1]

Thank you for your excellent, detailed review Kalos. How do you remember everything? I too was very impressed with the Lido Restaurant, although on our whistle stop tour we did not get a chance to see the food being served.

 

Did you see Fraser Ellacott on board and Keef Maynard interviewing for his TV Cruise show?

[Julessmiles]

Thank you Kalos - great to read; we have been on the Spirit & the Celebration & love them both ;)

[happy v]

Kalos, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I didn't realise you hadn't been on Spirit before.

 

I agree with everything you said, when we were on a few weeks ago it was fantastic from start to finish, and yes the food was good and HOT all fortnight.

[mtt]

The food was like what you posted earlier when we where on in march

Agree this is our favourite ship, such a friendly crew as well

[solostar]

Thanks for the brilliant review, I really enjoyed it. Can you tell me what the group was called that plays in High Spirits, and what they were like ?

[kalos]

The Thomson Spirit drinks menu as in use 1st August2013 :)

 

 

 

To be continued ...

[kalos]

Part 2

 

[kalos]

Thanks guys n Gals ,Glad you enjoyed reading it :)

 

Kruze Where am i going next ? On the Crown Princess .

 

The Spirit have set them a high target to beat and yes i'm looking for a good Thomson deal ;)

 

Solostar Sorry I did not see them play apart from the Sailaway party and did

 

not catch the name .I gather they are new to the ship only 1 week .

 

Jakanne We knew the film crew were onboard but never saw them, maybe

 

Fraser knew I was onboard and went into hiding :eek:

 

Malch Thanks for the tip on adding the Ice from the machine was wary of it and avoided ice in all our drinks .

Wish I had 16 days Spare and I would be on that ship gladly :cool:

 

Linda Included in the Price was a free Ledger coach should we require it .

 

To make a nice long weekend out of it we drove up to Newcastle port as they gave us free parking whilst away as well .

 

In Harwich we had a coach with x2 half hour stops back up to Newcastle .

 

We left just before 10am and for 5pm back in our car .

 

Then had a overnight stay at a place called Roker (Sunderland) where we had a pleasant stroll along the beach and a few drinks.

Stayed at a guest house we use a lot when we are up that way , then a steady run home today :).

 

To all the rest of you thanks and yes I agree. It is a great ship :cool:.

[rookery]

I've said several times The Spirit is my favourite and, in my opinion, the best run Thomson ship. We're hoping to get a good deal in September either the Baltic one or the repositioning one. Holding fire at the moment.

[okavango]

Band in high spirits is Soundroom ,been on since start of season.

New Dimensions Trio still in horizons.

Al Martin is a recent change in raffles, very good.

Also the classical duo in god's waiting room has changed, not really my scene but i thought they sounded better than the previous ones.

[okavango]

Hi kalos, glad you had a good time :)

 

We had a fabulous week on the Spirit, two years ago. A lovely ship :)

 

As I said before, why don't they use BOTTLES of lemonade and coke? I never buy cans - too expensive!

 

How did you get back to Yorkshire then? :confused::D

 

they are now using mainly bottles for soft drinks and mixers

[CRUISIN LINDA]

they are now using mainly bottles for soft drinks and mixers

Ah they must have read my previous post then, lol :D:D:D

[seacat62]

Thanks for a detailed review and the drinks list. We're sailing around the Baltics, leaving next Saturday. First time Thomson cruisers. Feeling optimistic. Hope to be able to write a similar review on our return. Seacat.

[kruzseeka]

Thanks for a detailed review and the drinks list. We're sailing around the Baltics, leaving next Saturday. First time Thomson cruisers. Feeling optimistic. Hope to be able to write a similar review on our return. Seacat.

 

 

I hope you find the Baltic itinerary as fascinating and enjoyable as we did. We've done it several times (it's that good!) last time on Spirit in 2012 and had a fabulous time. I'll be interested to read your review on your return. Perhaps you will be looking at the Fire & Ice next year once you get back - we certainly are!

 

Have a great time! :)

[seacat62]

Thanks Kruzseeka, really getting excited now and yes we'll be looking at Fire and Ice for another year.

[joeholiday2]

Thanks Kalos, great review. Sounds just like the experiences we have had on the Celebration, but then I suppose it would....

 

Jakanne, what channel is Keef on? We have seen Stephen Guy occasionally on 284. Anyone notice they never sell Thomson on there any more?

[Jakanne1]

Thanks Kalos, great review. Sounds just like the experiences we have had on the Celebration, but then I suppose it would....

 

Jakanne, what channel is Keef on? We have seen Stephen Guy occasionally on 284. Anyone notice they never sell Thomson on there any more?

 

I am sure someone else will be able to answer because I am not sure. I think the channel is Ideal World and it is on a Tues at about 8.00pm. It might be on a Planet Cruise channel (if there is one!). Apparently he is going to Tweet when the Spirit programme is televised. I will post on here when I get to know from FB. :confused::rolleyes::)

 

I am beginning to sound like a forgetful old woman!!

[barnowl1950]

Enjoyed reading this review kalos agree with everything...took me back to the lovely week we had on Celebration 3 years ago, couldn't fault it.

[ClaireAnna81]

 

As I said before, why don't they use BOTTLES of lemonade and coke? I never buy cans - too expensive!

 

 

Hmmm is how they do it on IE. Why not? less chance of it being flat at least. Curious.....

 

Nice review only 22hrs onboard you took in a lot :D have been looking at itinerary options for next year and a few I particularly like are on spirit.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2

[mtt]

ideal worl is on freeview channel 22, sky 644 and repats on 651

 

shows are on tues and sunday

[Jakanne1]

ideal worl is on freeview channel 22, sky 644 and repats on 651

 

shows are on tues and sunday

 

Thanks mtt. :)