all-afloaty

We were in Dubrovnik last week. Ships dock outside of town and it was about 10 mins on the ship's shuttle, however it would be a good walk.

Our shuttle was free but there were taxis waiting by the ship and there was a notice on the wall stating that it is 10 euros per taxi into town or 50 euros for a 1 hour trip round the town. Good value if there are 4 of you and I guess they would take you up the mountain where the cable car goes. Interesting they quoted charges in euros as they only take Croatian Kuna in many parts of the town. There are also a few market stalls set up on the dock where you can buy local goods.

Brilliant - thank you - there will be 4 of us so taxi it will be [emoji3]

If you want it - happy to pick one up and mail it down.

 

Similar on Ebay.

Thank you wcm that's very sweet but I may be going to WSM next week so I'll try to pick one up then.

that would be fabuous wouldnt it .... aqaba for petra, safaga for the valey of the kings... would love to see dubai again havnt been there since the 80's (it was small then) this is v exciting:cool::cool:

This sounds amazing would love to see Petra.

Just had a look at store locations down your way - Yeovil, Weston Supermare and Tiverton came up.

 

Any near you ?

 

I'm geographically challenged !!!

 

Similar devices on Ebay.

Aw thanks wcm sometimes have a trip to Weston-super-Mud so I'll look out for one [emoji106]🏻

Aww thanks everyone - great info as usual [emoji106]🏻 and thanks Sheila for the photos [emoji3]

Can anyone tell me where the ship docks in Dubrovnik please and thanks [emoji57]

That's very useful wcm we don't have B&M stores though [emoji34]

Wow very interesting [emoji41]

Hi Kay thanks for your help and we have decided to book the Sofitel. We will be travelling down on the Monday late afternoon so hope we make it in time to enjoy a lovely dinner as well. As we will be travelling back from Palma and arrive at lunchtime we'll be driving straight home. As it's an 18 day cruise we will be parked for 19 days so that has added quite a bit to the cost but as you say the hotel is so convenient it will be so less stressful for us travelling from an airport we are not familiar with. Thanks to Dave too.

 

Lynda:)

You won't regret it Lynda, the hotel is beautiful. The car park is right next door so on the morning you're traveling you can easily take your overnight stuff and leave it in the car.

Kay

Kay - many thanks for your prompt reply. Having never flown from Gatwick with Thomson not sure which terminal - is it north or South please? The Sofitel is more expensive than others on your given website but if we fly from the north terminal it seems very easy to park and get to check-in so would be worth it. However if it's South terminal then maybe the Hilton would be better. Unfortunately my booking confirmation just says Gatwick and no terminal. Hope you can help. Lynda

As Dave says it is North. If you do book Sofitel you won't be disappointed it is a lovely hotel, adds an extra day to your holiday really, and is so convenient, but is a bit more expensive. I haven't stayed at any other hotels at Gatwick so can't comment on any others.

Kay

I can highly recommend Sofitel which is actually on the airport, you literally walk to the airport through a walkway in about 2 minutes. You can check your cases in the day before you fly. We booked through http://www.holidayextras.co.uk and it was worth every penny. We had a good meal at the hotel too.

Kay

Yes have a fabulous time [emoji41][emoji3]

You are paying for it, one way or another, as other forum members have said.

 

Thomsons don't do free.

 

My reservation about paying for the drinks package as an extra is that it encourages you to drink more than you would normally, or if paying as you go - there is a mindset to "must get our money's worth" in this situation.

 

We did on one cruise as it was a really attractive price though !!!

Each to their own [emoji33]

We always have AI whether we pay for it or not. It all adds up really quickly if you think about it soft drinks during the day plus lovely coffees, iced virgin cocktails in the afternoon, hubby has wine with dinner, I have a couple of drinks from the bar with dinner and then cocktails in the evening! We are definitely better off with drink package lol [emoji3]

The cheapest we have found it is £100 for a family of three in the Caribbean for two weeks. Is this the usual cost?

I think this sounds quite reasonable 2 weeks in the Caribbean for a family of three not too bad at all [emoji106]🏻

There will be a copy of 'cruise news' in your cabin, it tells you everything going on that day. You will get a new one every evening giving information for the next day.

There are tables for two and we've always got one when we've wanted one.

I don't think you'll have a formal night but I'm not absolutely sure.

When you check in you'll get a card which has your cabin number on it, it is also your key to your door, your charge card and gets you on/off the ship.

You need to pick up your luggage from the carousel as usual.

Not sure about muster as when we sailed from Palma it happened the next morning!

We always have AI so I'm not sure about the wine package.

There will be bottled water in the cabin but I think it's charged through the mini-bar, but you can take your own drink onboard. You definitely get toiletries.

We love sailing on Dream. Hope you do too. ENJOY!!! [emoji3]

Kay

I love her too [emoji7]

Hi all-afloaty - we were actually on P&O Oceana this time and were due to arrive in Venice approx 12.30pm. We were told to be in place for the sail in by 11am as there would be a commentary all the way in. We made sure we had a good viewing spot early as there is lots to see on both sides of the ship but the best side is Starboard when getting near, as you sail past St Marks Sq. It was a beautifully clear day and the commentary was so interesting. Various islands were pointed out and we saw the new sea defences being put in place. Then you sail past St Marks and into the Guidecca canal - fantastic. You can see right over Venice, we stayed overnight and the next morning were up early to see the sun rise over Venice.

Thanks dronnygirl that sounds amazing! I've actually stayed in Venice for a week but really looking forward to the sail-in [emoji3]

Arrived back yesterday. No problem with queues for the vaporetto from Piazalle Roma. Had a wonderful time. You can also walk into Venice from here, it all depends on how much walking you want to do.

There is also a water taxi available from the dock for 8 euros, this takes you direct to St Marks Square but I would recommend doing the trip down the Grand Canal, a great start to the day.

Hi dronnygirl

Did you get up early for the sale in to Venice? If so what sort of time do you recommend [emoji3]

Spic n span for us in May 16.. Can anyone tell me what is being done for the refurbishment please, as this is the first that I know about it. Many thanks..Triona

I didn't know about it either, probably best to start a new thread for that question [emoji15]

Dear Kay

 

There are 3, Minstrels, La Kora and the hot stone.

 

Minstrels is superb, the Hot Stone is quite fun and La Kora is a fusion restaurant.

 

Enjoy

 

Mike

Thanks Mike, sounds good, last time we were on her there was only 1!

Was reading a recent review of Dream which said there were 3 'pay for' restaurants. Is this correct as I thought there were only 2?

Kay

Hi Linda thanks for the link looks good I have put it in my 'favorites'

 

I will try to pop along on the 18th but that is our BIG day so I may be busy:rolleyes:

 

Hopefully we will be in Mistral's that night for celebrations.

 

Just off to start packing, better half has already done hers. Its an early morning start for us but have booked champagne breakfast at No.1 Lounge (probably just a bucks fizz and bacon bap:p).

 

Thanks for your wishes hope you also have a great time and good weather:)

Have a great time pensioncruiser [emoji106]🏻

Two things to bear in mind here. As others have said there is no such thing as free all inclusive. The price you pay for booking so early is extremely high. Just looked at Celebration 1 week in Croatia cost £1000 plus extras in July.

 

Bear in mind you can fly to Caribbean and have a week on the Celebration for less.

 

When the 'free' offer is withdrawn the price will go down. Also Thomsons are clever at manipulating the extras costs ie cabin charge. When the cost of the cruise goes down the cabin prices go up.

 

All inclusive here anyway is not all inclusive you do still have to pay for many of the drinks albeit on a reduced cost.

 

 

 

We are regular Thomson customers and love them but don't be fooled, its rare that there are any bargains just a re shaping of the prices

Yeah it's all swings and roundabouts but for us we prefer to book early and get exactly what we want there aren't many of the type of cabin we like so don't want to miss out and are happy to pay the higher prices by booking so far in advance. We have never had to pay any additional prices for the drinks we like but I suppose that's just lucky for us. Wouldn't go without drinks package anyway whether we pay for it or not.

Hi - travelling 14 nights celebration - looking for help with which shore tours to do - especially need urgent help with VENICE? Full day or half day or secret corners - anyone any help or advice please?

A good plan for the day is get off ship asap and head straight to St Marks Square, here you can see the square the basilica and the camponile and the doges palace including bridge of sighs then take time for lunch [emoji3] places to just sit and relax for free are very few and far between! Then either walk or get water bus to see Rialto Bridge area before heading back to ship. Really you need to decide what you want to see most. I too used the pop up map but mostly ENJOY it's fabulous [emoji41]