From Destiny - 21st January

[slhw]

Hi

We're here enjoying our second week on Destiny. She's still the reliable old lady. The waiting and bar staff are still all wonderful as ever- this time we are on AI so have been knocking back the Pina Coladas.
We do think that the food might be slightly better than before which makes it pretty good. The shows, particularly the sets and costumes, get more professional by the year. We weren't really impressed with the comedien Maurice Grumbleweed last night - his act was rather tired - had heard so many of the jokes and routines before. The other comedien last week - Maxwell Forggitt or something like that - was much better and fresher.
Only other thing that we are a little disappointed with is the Entertainment Team. Emma is her usual high voltage self and works hard but a couple of the others are a waste of space - certainly not what we have experienced on our 6 or 7 other Thomson Cruises. Think that this could be down to the CD - Paul Fisher. He is obviously a talented guy and is pleasant enough but, apart from his set pieces, he appears to be beamed up by Starship Enterprise. Apparently, he was one of the singer/dancers until 2 years ago - probably he was brilliant at that but we think that he is only a very average and uninspired CD. We think that this then reflects the general attitude of the rest of the Entertainment Team and doesn't create the usual atmosphere. This is the first time that we have ever not had a couple of chats with any of the team. They seem to do their bit, just what they have to, and then they're away. When they do appear on the dance floor, mostly they seem to be holding a private function amongst themselves. I think a personality transplant would do a few of them the world of good. Sorry to be critical, but we have met some absolutely super entertainers, real characters in the past but not this time - perhaps they're training all the charasmatic ones for the Dream.

Apart from that, we're having a great time. How are you getting on Capasamarie (mightn't have spelled that correctly)?

Sandie

[mckalst]

what the weather like at the mo we are there in 6 weeks on sunday canne wait stay and cruise

[capasamari]

Oh dear it will be a shame if the entertainment atmosphere slips, that's one of Thomson's strongest selling points as Steven Guy acknowledged when we spoke to him a year ago. Then the show team and other crew members seemed to be more than happy to talk to and dance with the passengers, and we felt like we were welcome guests at their party.

We are not long back from P&O Ventura over Christmas and for us the atmosphere just wasn't there, so we are looking forward to Celebration in June and Destiny in December!!

Carol x

[kruzseeka]

Hi Sandie, so pleased you're enjoying yourself - and the cocktails!! Well, when on AI - what else is a girl to do????????????? ;)

I know what you mean about a slight slip in standards in the entertainment team though - it's all relative of course, and probably still much better than the offerings on some ships - but we all have such high expectations of Thomson on the basis of previous experiences. So when it's not quite what we expect, it is a little disappointing - but pleased it's not spoiling your holiday.

Trust you will continue to have a great time - enjoy! :D

[sobral]

I agree completely with your comments re CD Paul Fisher. He was one of the show team not so long ago- has a good singing voice but thats about it. He seemed out of his depth PR wise when we were on Destiny in the summer and was quite unprofessional once as assistant CD when he was ridiculing CD of the time.

[slhw]

Hi

At St. Kitts today. Weather much better this week than last - we actually had two complete days of rain - warm rain - and showers on two other days. Been glorious since. Very hot - day before yesterday, it was reckoned to be 39 degrees!!! Incidentally, we were at Dominica yesterday - slight shower in the afternoon - but we docked at Portsmouth which was absolutely lovely. Very quiet and we could just walk to the beach about 10 mins away. Water was gorgeous - stayed in so long I resembled a prune! Also, there was an uphill walk to a fort, which those who ventured reported to be well worth the climb.

Don't let my comments about entertainment put anyone off - the shows etc. are the usual high standard - in fact, sets and costumes getting better by the year - it's just a rather uninspiring CD, in our opinion, not leading from the front. Anyone who is able to compare him with the wonderful Richard Sykes, Stephen Guy and Keefe Maynard (see, I'm not too picky) will know what I mean.

Just off for a late breakfast and yet another lounge on a sunbed as have been to St. Kitts several times before!!

Sandie

[its,only,me]

Great hearing from you day to day :D is it to make us all jealous :confused: well it,s working :eek: only joking,, carry on enjoying it and those cocktails ;)

mrs.c