Thomson Celebration

I was wondering if anyone can help with the following questions, this is our first cruise so it would be appreciated.

We are on the Celebration on the 24th Jan for two weeks starting with Paradise Islands then Tropical Delights - what is the routine for checking in at Gatwick and embarkation in Bridgetown.

We have booked a deluxe balcony cabin on deck 9, anyone else stayed in one of these?

Finally..... Any tips for the cruise?

Thank you in advance

Ian

Hi iankeith3 when you check in they give you a label for your case then you don't see them again until on board you will exit the plane in Barbados straight onto the coach which will drop you off at the boat were you will have your photo taken and be issued with a boarding card, which is also your charge card. Think you will have a great time we have been many times and will be following you in February. Never been in those cabins but have meet cruiser's who have and have a good report have a good one😀

Thank you very much, have a good one too!

Hi iankeith3 - if this is your first cruise don't rush to purchase trips, especially in the Caribbean. There will be loads of taxis waiting at the dock and they all charge the same. They are quite safe and often they take 6 or 8 people so will wait until they are full. We found this quite nice as it's good to share your experience with others. They all take $ so have some cash on you, especially small denominations for tips. They have a reputation to keep up so are very reliable and get you back to the ship in plenty of time. The taxi drivers know so many places and can get down small roads where the coaches cannot get so you get to see some lovely places.

One tip that someone gave to me was to buy a postcard in each place visited and write on it as if a diary. This was a great idea as we visited so many places and it's hard to remember what you did each day. Enjoy your trip:)

If you are doing excursions yourself and not through the ship always try to do morning ones. If the vehicle you are in breaks down etc then the ship wont wait for you but if the excursions are through the ship then it will wait or get you to the next port so always make sure you have plenty time to get back onboard, and always watch out for ship time and not local land time.

Have fun :-)

Finally..... Any tips for the cruise?

Not trying to teach my granny how to sook eggs - but take more US Dollars than you think you'll need, and only small bills.

Don't accept change in local currency.

Pay your onboard account with a debit card if possible, save the 2.5% commission charged for credit cards.

Hi iankeith3 - if this is your first cruise don't rush to purchase trips, especially in the Caribbean. There will be loads of taxis waiting at the dock and they all charge the same. They are quite safe and often they take 6 or 8 people so will wait until they are full. We found this quite nice as it's good to share your experience with others. They all take $ so have some cash on you, especially small denominations for tips. They have a reputation to keep up so are very reliable and get you back to the ship in plenty of time. The taxi drivers know so many places and can get down small roads where the coaches cannot get so you get to see some lovely places.

One tip that someone gave to me was to buy a postcard in each place visited and write on it as if a diary. This was a great idea as we visited so many places and it's hard to remember what you did each day. Enjoy your trip:)

We have booked one trip already and that is for Aruba, we so wanted to do the Seatrek helmet walk and didn't want to miss out.

Thank you for your advice

If you are doing excursions yourself and not through the ship always try to do morning ones. If the vehicle you are in breaks down etc then the ship wont wait for you but if the excursions are through the ship then it will wait or get you to the next port so always make sure you have plenty time to get back onboard, and always watch out for ship time and not local land time.

 

Have fun :-)

Thank you

Also you may already do this, but we pack a change of clothes in our hand luggage, just shorts, tee shirt and sandals, which not only helps with the luggage allowance but allows you to get up and running in the 'heat' without waiting for your cases, which can take a couple of hours but saying that we have never waited longer than half an hour. We also mix our packing up as cases have been know to go missing:eek: so if one case is delayed you both have at least some clothes until it catches up with you.:rolleyes:

As this is your first cruise you may not be aware of your return procedure, sorry to mention that, you have to place your cases outside your cabin on the last night, usually by 02.00am, and again you will not see them again until you arrive back in the UK as they are bonded, I personally think its a great system not having to struggle with your luggage outbound or inbound:)

Thank you once again!

What are the formal nights like, we are in two minds if to go or not.

IMO its just how you feel, we always go but perhaps no longer go to meet the Captain:rolleyes: Only about half of the cruisers in the main restaurant wear formal attire but if you want a more informal meal you can still go in the self service restaurant, in shorts if you wish.

Its a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere on all the Thomson ships with both staff and cruisers:)

I did purchase a tux in the sales just in case!

So what normally happens on the ship as you board for the first time before she sets sail?

Can you tell we are excited?!

I can! It's the boring bit when you have to do the safety drill but very important. Something to eat then a review of the entertainment and the good old sail away deck party I just can't wait!😀😀😀

As this is only our second cruise,(7th Feb) I'm still picking up tips.I didn't even know there was a sailaway party till I read it on here.Where is the party?I think I read it was out on deck,but which deck?

We went to the captains party and will go again this year but I didn't wear an evening gown,just a short dress I had got for my nieces wedding.Husband wore a tux (suit) he got at Matalan.He usually wears a kilt on formal occasions but it's so heavy he decided against it.

When you get to the ship you'll go to a large lounge and be checked in.We were in a balcony cabin on deck 9 so we got priority check in.A member of staff escorted us to our cabin.We changed into shorts and went for a wander to get our bearings.

We didn't book any trips but there are plenty of taxies at the ports of call and we'll be making better use of them this time.

I think the deluxe cabins are on deck 8 and balcony cabins on deck 9.

I hope you enjoy your first cruise as much as we enjoyed ours.

Sail away is on deck 5/6 and a note for iankeith3 is that cruises are not restful holidays there is something always going on and its very rare that you get your head down before the early hours.

Just a couple of further tips, try all the entertainment venues and all the restaurants, its amazing how many cruisers find something they really like on the last day. Check the daily program, pick up the port guide from outside destination services the night before, this gives you a map of the port and some very useful info.

I realise that others will not agree with me but I would recommend 'round island' trips from the ship because once you have been to the Caribbean you will be back and then you can organise your own and not be worried about missing the ship, we have seen this happen twice, the Captain usually will wait 15mins but that's it:eek:

IMO you have chosen the best itineraries with some very interesting ports so I would also recommend that you pace yourself and don't try to do too many excursions it can become every tiring with late nights and early mornings:rolleyes:

One nice port to have a good walk round is St Maarten, our favourite, good beach and just a short walk or water taxi from the port:)

Thank you all for your tips, it's very much appreciated:)

Please keep them coming!

I think St Maarten was one of our favourites as well.We also took the reggea bus on St Kitts (where it was pouring down,but not for too long.Still have the yellow umbrella)The driver was a fantastic guide by the name of Zulu and he really knew his stuff.Would go with him again.

I'm not sure what toiletries are in all cabins but in ours it was Clarins.I absolutely loved the shampoo so much so that I decided to buy it when I got home,but nobody sold it.I got on to Clarins head office in the Uk only to be told it wasn't sold in the UK.I was given the email address for the office in Paris,did contact them,but got no answer.My priority shopping will be for Clarins shampoo.So if YOU know where I can find it!!!

Another tip....there is a UK power socket beside the fridge down low, which we didn't see for most of the week.I also bought a Power Bin charger....you can charge up four items at once.It's a great idea,lent mine to my next door neighbour and she loved it as well,so much so that she bought her own.Bought on Amazon for (I'm sure, under £20)The name on the box is le touch.

Hi once again :)

Just a quick question.

What is the duty free like on the Celebration, are we better off buying on the plane if we want anything?

Best on the ship or in the ports but buy on the return flight. You can also buy on the ship for bringing home they pack it in an air container for your suitcase. Also if you don't have the AI you can consume your own alcohol in your cabin.

[Another tip....there is a UK power socket beside the fridge down low, which we didn't see for most of the week.I also bought a Power Bin charger....you can charge up four items at once.It's a great idea,lent mine to my next door neighbour and she loved it as well,so much so that she bought her own.Bought on Amazon for (I'm sure, under £20)The name on the box is le touch.

Thanks for this tip sistermags very useful.

Me again,must be on a roll.At some stage during the week we were able to fill a bag (like a carrier bag) with washing,the steward took it away and brought it back the next morning all washed and folded,although not ironed.It was great for underwear and t-shirts etc.The cost was £12 but worth every penny.

We have AI, does that include the mini bar in the cabin as we were going to take a bottle to have a little drink on the balcony early evening.

No you have to pay for anything you have out of the cabin including water. You can take your own alcohol on board for consumption in your cabin and its cheap to buy on the ship in the Caribbean if you don't want to pack it😀

How much do they charge for a bottle of water?

Sorry can't really recall, but they do 2 sizes I think about £1.4, it was cheaper in the bars. Classes of water are free at meal times and from the bars all day.