jennand

I havn't got the full menu but I don't think any of Thomson bar prices have changed much for quite a while. The cocktail prices are the same now as they were 5 yrs ago £4.60. Spirits are £4.10 inc mixers, wine about the same, beer was £3.70 pint with some specialities a bit more. There seemed to be quite a few drinks that had extra prices added even for AI packages, more than I remember from previously. Also, ( and this was just our observation) the spirits were lower quality than usual, with less volume. I had a rum and coke one night and it just tasted like coke. My friend also. So this particular night we sent them back and told them why. But even the replacement was not much improved. The cocktails too tasted bland and weak. We had considered the drinks packages but in the end, opted out. We checked at the end and found we would have lost out if we had. The beer package was £ 102 for 35 pints, so that works out at £2.91 a pint. OK if you generally drink that much. Over all, my impression is that the full drinks package is less attractive than it used to be because more drinks have extra prices added to them.

Shower gel and hand cleanser only I'm afraid and they are in containers on the wall, not branded names. It's not bad though, nice smell.

If you have not booked your cabin, might I suggest you do and request a midship cabin. Issues with propeller noise and/or anchor noise on deck 2 at the back and front.

Carpediem, there was an issue with disembarking for some people with mobility issues, but apparently it was to do with the tides. Not sure how exactly, but we had to assume they wouldn't deliberately cause inconvenience.

There are some lovely places in the UK and Ireland and we were prepared for the weather. I know there are lots of sunnier, warmer places to visit, but after a while, most Med cruises seem to visit the same places. Most cruises we look at now have at least 1 or 2 ports that we have already been to. That's not to say we won't ever do a Med cruise again, we will, but we are saving for a Carribean cruise next time, and sad to say, I think one of the better ships may win out on that one.

BTW, the guest comedian was Maurice Grumbleweed, he was ace. A good singer, musician and very funny too. Had a real laugh at his 2 shows.

Great cruise as always, here's my report. Inside cabin deck 3 (506) very spacious and very clean. Bathrooms still need upgrading but I don't think that's going to happen. The entertainment team were sparkling although I thought the first couple of nights were a bit tame. Lots of singing and walking around the stage but I think this was more the actual production rather than lack of talent. They soon upped the ante though and the last night was spectacular.

We started from Liverpool, first call was Dublin, where we did the Hoppa bus. An unfortunate incident happened though whilst we were docked. It was windy and a gust caught the cap of a passenger, he chased after it and missed his footing and fell, landing between the quayside and the ship. All the emergency services were called and he was taken to hospital I believe he had some cuts and bruises but he must have been terrified. We didn't hear anything else about him so I do hope he is OK.

On to Cobh and we had a lovely time here. Did the little road train and finished up in Kelly's bar where we sang with the entertainer and drank my first Guinness. Very nice it was too.

Unfortunately, the Captain made the decision to detour from Galway to Belfast because of adverse weather. We were dissapointed but had to agree that nothing is worth putting safety at risk. Belfast was very disappointing. Because it was unsheduled we decided to take the Hoppa bus again, little realising that it would take us on a tour of the Falls rd, Shankhill Rd and areas where we would rather not have been. I'm sure Belfast must have interesting areas and buildings and these tour buses do not do them any favours. Also, the cruise terminal was just a tent and not equipped for passengers. Just my opinion, of course. Next day, we went to the Giants Causeway, and enjoyed that.

Off then to Greenock and the contrast could not have been more. Lovely cruise terminal even though the dock is industrial. They have at least made an effort. We were greeted with a wee dram, even though it was 9am!! Then off to the Panoramic Lochs tour which was spectacular, even though it was raining. As we set sail at night, a Pipe and drums band played for us. Well done Greenock.

Isle of Man was our last stop and Having never been there before, I was really impressed. We took the electric railway up to Laxey after a good stretch of our legs along the long promenade.

Overall, the trip was excellent, just have to begin the usual mountain of washing now. Oh well!!!

We have returned today from the Spirit ( I will post a trip report later) We had inside cabin on deck 3 midship and our friends (who booked last minute and therefore paid quite a bit less ) had an outside cabin, same deck but at the back. We were pleased with our cabin, very spacious, clean and comfortable (506), but our friends had problems with theirs. They could smell food constantly and could hear the propellor all night long. This was worse when the ship was going slower. We had one night un scheduled stop in port and they thought it would be a bit of relief but not so. The generator throbbed constantly, so still not a good night. We did advise them to ask for a different room, but they felt that because they paid less for it, they shouldn't really complain. I would have though.

I was on Spirit at Easter just after the new team arrived. They were much better, IMO, than the current Dream Showteam. One of the dancers, Margot, has been on Majesty at least twice and is an excellent dancer. They seemed to go down well with everyone. The Show lounge was always packed and usually had people standing at the back.

 

I suppose it depends what you like, but I did find the choice of songs (not the Showteam's fault) on the week we were on, not always to my taste.

That week's shows were:

Blast of Broadway (musicals)

Dance, Dance, Dance

Fairground Attraction. (50's)

Comedian and Party on the Deck at 11.15

By Special Arrangememt. Concert style

West End Wonders (musicals, inc. Mary Poppins and Les Mis which got a standing ovation)

Music that made the Movies (songs and dance from films)

Well that sounds like a good itinerary Jakanne. I'm sure we've seen Margot on one of the other ships too, but I daresay there may be more than one Margot.

I'll post back with my opinion on my return.

Does anyone know what the entertainment team on the Spirit are like? We sail in 2 days and have told our friends that Thomson entertainment is exceptional. They usually do Princess cruises and say that although the entertainment is good, it doesn't tempt them to go & see every night. I do hope the Spirit team doesn't let us down.

Thanks for your info Tony. All helpful. Only 2 days to go, busy packing today. I do like the fact that we are not restricted by airline weights. Did someone mention that Thomson are not continuing with UK sailings. Would be a shame.

BTW- when we went, there was no ship in dock and the secure car park was very secure, ie -: the gates were locked. It's made me wonder if anyone knows what time these gates would be unlocked. Looking at Tonys Google street view, there are a lot of cars queing up. I'd like to get there quite early, park up and go and have a bite to eat somewhere, providing the gates are unlocked early enough. Tony, can you recommend a nice place to eat? I know there are cafés in and around the terminal buildings but they are a bit " plasticky".

We're on the Spirit on Wed too. We had a drive around last week, mainly to check how secure the car park was and where it actually is. It is directly in front of the embarkation office so we were not too worried about it. Of course, there is a possibility that this could fill up and we'd have to use an alternative car park. However, the ship is sailing in from the Med and will have departed from Limmasol, I think, so most people disembarking will not have cars parked there. We're hoping this means that we shouldn't have too much difficulty.

I sent for this and it came today. Will be well used as there is usually only 1 socket in the cabins. Not much use when you have 2 phones, and hair straighteners on the go. Thanks for the link WCM

Well, both packages sound good value. No way would I pay £23 for a bottle of wine, but I would pay £65 for 5 bottles. Also, if there are 4x bottles of water included, then it makes it even better value. We are on the Spirit, so hope the same packages apply.

I posted this in another thread but I think it got a little lost so here's a repost. Does anyone have any up to date prices for the wine package and the beer package? And how does this compare to the " normal "price of a bottle of wine and a pint of beer? We've never bought the packages before, we've either had AI or just paid bar prices.

Nice piece of kit. Saves having double adapters plugged into euro adapters.

Thought it was 24 hr.

BTW, does anyone have any up to date prices for the wine package and the beer package? And how does this compare to the " normal "price of a bottle of wine and a pint of beer? We've never bought the packages before, we've either had AI or just paid bar prices.

I think they would almost certainly have replied in the negative to am email, but would they search the suitcases as you embark? Anyway, it may be worth trying to take a bottle on even if they confiscate it until we disembark. I don't think they can actually take it and not give it back can they?

Good to hear that the guys could split the beer package. Really looking forward to it now.

Also, how does the beer drinks package work? Can you buy one package between 2 people?

First time on the Spirit and first time no fly cruising - Britain & Ireland. We are sailing from Liverpool and wondered about taking drinks on board. Are there likely to be any checks at Liverpool? I'm not talking oodles of bottles, probably just one per couple as we ladies do rather like working our way through the cocktail menu which I think is quite reasonable compared to pubs and bars here. So, maybe just for a snifter before dinner.

Also, does anybody know whether there will be any special guest entertainers that week, 7th May. On Island Escape in 2012, there was an act by 2 brothers singing opera type music. You wouldn't think it would be popular on a Thomson cruise but they brought the house down. Low and behold, they appeared on Britains got talent and came (2nd?). They were the Johnson brothers, now called Richard and Adam. Brilliant. Hope there will be something as good on Spirit.

We ladies like to dress up, but I take it it is OK for the guys to be smart, casual? If we dined in the speciality resturant would they need a suit?

Any other tips would be more than welcome. We have sailed on Destiny, Celebration, Island escape but first time on Spirit.