What to expect? TUI Discovery

[Swedish1976]

I have done many cruises but have never been on a Thomson cruise before. I'm going on the "new" TUI Discovery in a couple of weeks and wonder what to expect, mostly I've been on Royal Caribbean.

 

How is the food? Entertainment? What is good and not as good onboard?

 

Appreciate your thoughts.

[dab1952]

We have been onRoyal Caribbean and many time on Thoson ( but not Discovery yet. Other ships are more grand and usually bigger but Thomson do have friendlier staff and great entertainment, particularly if you enjoy production shows. I think you will find the food ok but maybe not quite. As good as R. C. (Recently it appears from this thread that the food has been a bit more variable!)

We have also cruised with Celebrity and P and O but always return to Thomson

My other half also loves the kettle in the cabin!

[stevedeccaman]

This was put on Discovery facebook page

 

Stevie

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Carol Basford

 

Yesterday at 08:32 · London

..

 

We're writing with some exciting news about your cruise.

 

There's not much longer to wait until you join us onboard the newest addition to our fleet, and we've been busy behind the scenes getting things ready for you.

 

Some things may have changed a little since you made your booking, so we'd like to tell you a little bit more about what you can expect onboard.

 

We believe that the more opportunities you have to personalise your holiday, the more you'll enjoy your time away. That's why we've made freedom the hallmark of TUI Discovery – we're putting you in charge.

 

Everything onboard has been created with balance and freedom of choice in mind. For every family option there's something that's just for grown-ups. Our gourmet restaurants are balanced by laid-back dining. Healthy food can be interchanged with something really indulgent. And it's the same when it comes to bars and entertainment. Lively spots with innovative technology rub shoulders with low-key corners where stripped back and simple is the order of the day.

 

The dining scene in particular is a little bit different to anything we've done before. There are seven places to eat onboard, five of which are included in the price of your holiday.

 

47° restaurant, our main dining venue is open for all the main meals and is all about sophisticated but approachable cuisine.

 

Gallery 47°, our new eatery, overlooks the main restaurant and offers a fresh and modern Italian menu – we've even taken out the Chef’s Table to create more space up here.

 

 

Then there's The Glass House. By day this poolside hub serves freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and specialty coffees as well as sandwiches, salads and light bites. Dinner time signals a change of mood perfect for tapas, design-your-own pizzas and our signature Hot Stone @ The Glass House – for sizzling hot rock dining. Hot Stone @ The Glass House has an extra charge but everything else is included.

 

Our other new included venue is Snack Shack. Our colourful grab-and-go eatery serves tasty morsels throughout the day. It's where you'll find all the foods you eat with your fingers - from sausage and bacon rolls first thing, through to festival- style fish and chips, quesadillas and chicken goujon sandwiches.

 

 

Of course, no restaurant line up is complete without a buffet, and our self-service buffet is called Islands - as we have lots of food stations for you to select from. There's a huge choice of hot and cold meals, from full-cooked breakfasts first thing, to the lunchtime carvery and themed evening menus that run from Mexican to Greek.

 

Last but certainly not least are our a la cartes. Kora La, our signature Asian eatery, has had tastes of Vietnam, Thailand and Japan added to the menu by Ian Pengelley – Executive Chef of Gilgamesh and House of Ho. While Surf & Turf Steakhouse is a new addition that specialise in all things steak and seafood – Angus Fillet, Iberico Pork or lobster tail are up for grabs. Both these restaurants take reservations and cost a little extra, but they're worth it.

 

As well as broadening our foodie horizons, we're also expanding our entertainment scene. We've got eleven new one-of-a-kind stage shows waiting in the wings, new interactive game shows, our first outdoor cinema and virtual dance classes. Plus our brand new Splash Live! Children's show in high season.

 

At the heart of the ship is our beautiful new atrium. It's the perfect place for everyone onboard to come together and celebrate. In a slight change to the Thomson Cruises' tradition, Captain will host a weekly event here at 9pm on your sea day. This is a 'dress to impress' occasion where Captain will give a speech and you'll have chance to say hello to him and his Officers – and maybe grab a photo.

 

We've got more technology onboard than ever before too, instead of a video arcade we've got a games room with popular games consoles. Instead of a dedicated internet area, we have improved our Wi-Fi service so you can use your own devices. Our signs for finding your way around the ship have gone digital, as have our photo galleries and booking systems for things like Destination Services and the Spa. You'll even find 'press for drinks' call buttons on The Veranda – our adults-only deck space.

 

All these fantastic new options are wrapped up in the same friendly service we've become so well known for.

 

We hope you enjoy your time onboard as much as we've enjoyed bringing it to life, and we look forward to seeing you onboard.

[mtt]

The entertainment should be good the show team will have been on 2 weeks on tuesday have 11 shows adapted for the new ship, lots of new ones, the other entertainment will be new game shows and quizzes, the ents hosts went last tuesday too, there is an activities host for the sorts activites and night entertainment too, there are also family hosts planned for the school holidays

[Swedish1976]

Sounds pretty good. I have been on that ship twice so I know it pretty well. It's gonna be weird to cruise on the same ship but another cruise line. :) I have no expectations at all, I go with an open mind.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[davecttr]

I got an email from Thomson with that information in it. however they had titled it 'important changes to your cruise'. That confused me so thanks for clearing it up, the 'important change' appears to be the dropping of the captains receptions on formal nights with a get together at 9pm. Obviously there are now no fixed sittings on this evening. I was going to take a jacket and tie but I probably won't now as I will have already eaten before 9pm.

 

I am on the 3rd cruise but still expect interesting and entertaining teething problems :D

 

ps - a bit cheeky having a 'glass house' when P&O already have them ;)

 

I must get round to filling in the API

[shot2bits]

I wonder if them wifi is free?

[davecttr]

I wonder if them wifi is free?

 

No way :D

[stevedeccaman]

go to the beach:)

Stevie

 

:cool:http://www.mahobeachcam.com/

[stevedeccaman]

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/netherlands/philipsburg

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I got an email from Thomson with that information in it. however they had titled it 'important changes to your cruise'. That confused me so thanks for clearing it up, the 'important change' appears to be the dropping of the captains receptions on formal nights with a get together at 9pm. Obviously there are now no fixed sittings on this evening. I was going to take a jacket and tie but I probably won't now as I will have already eaten before 9pm.

Sounds like they are copying P&O then. When we were on the Oceana, the Captain appeared on one of the levels of the atrium and people just milled about with drinks. We remarked that Thomson did formal nights better.

[Julessmiles]

Sounds like they are copying P&O then. When we were on the Oceana, the Captain appeared on one of the levels of the atrium and people just milled about with drinks. We remarked that Thomson did formal nights better.

 

I think the nicest formal nights I have experienced have been the Fred Olsen ones - they are very "personal" and they seem to provide unlimited pre-dinner drinks in the theatre & the canapes are lovely! :)

 

The Captain always does a lovely speech & I love the formal night at the end of the cruise where he gets all the "hidden" staff up on the stage - the engine room crew, the laundry, housekeeping staff as well as chefs, waiters etc - its a lovely recognition that everyone is important!

Edited June 1, 2016 by Julessmiles