Cruise Reviews | THOMSON DESTINY .....BOOK IT !!!| Cruises.co.uk

Thursday 21st August 2008

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THOMSON DESTINY .....BOOK IT !!!
Reviewed By: carey, clydebank on 13th Jul 2008
Cruise Line: Thomson Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Thomson Destiny	Sailed: June, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 36-45

well where to start with this review.....right at the beginning , on 26th june my wife my 12 year old dughter and myself arrived on board the thomson destiny in palma for the start of our two week stay , we had booked back to back trips , the jewels of the med and the renes cruises. from the info we had gotten from this forum and others like it we had prebooked cabin 3150 , an outside 3 berther just around the corner from the lifts. this was to be our first cruise. checkin etc etc was a painless and relatively quick experience, in fact we were in our cabin less than a hour or so from leaving palma airport, but lets forget the hour waiting at the airport for our luggage ,thosmosn really should do something to ensure that palma airport is up to speed.... since our flight was an early one by early afternoon we were out of our cabin and where exploring the ship and where instantly impressed by the size and what it had to offer......first impressions..ok the cabin was smallish but we dont go on holiday to sit in a bedroom.....it was best described as functional and id give it 2 stars out of 5 ...........as for the rest of the ship my initial impressions ranged from some parts as being 4 to five stars , blakes bar for instance when we first walked in it reminded me instanyly of the foyer lounge of hiltons aviemore coylumbridge 4 star hotel. we would soon discover howevert that the service from thomsons staff was 10 stars all the way , we had gotten for free the all inclusive drinks package and as we walked through the almost deserted lounge a young waiter approached us and started to chat aweay as if we where old friends he told us how the all inclusive drinks worked and spent a good few minutes telling us what not to miss highlights wise during our stay on baord , it was such a friendly and genuine welcome that we knew we where in for a treat . we headed up to the lido deck and it was party time the atmosphere was fantastic , the all of the food from the lido was our next port of call and we were impressed with the range of food on offer. I know somefolk on these baords knock the quality of the food but I think it should be remembered that there is bound to be some trade of off quality against quantity given the fact that food was always on the go.......havin had numerous all inclusive holidays over the last few years I can honestly say that those who complain about the food perhaps havent holidayed all inclusiev anywhere else before and maybe only can compare with more expensive cruises that they have undetaken. the rest of our first day became a blur of fun and food and drink , culminating on the leaving party as we set sail that evening , we hadnt danced or laughed so much as a fmaily for years and already had met so many wonderful people who had arrived on baord that day and where also in the mmod for a fantastic holiday. so off we set into the moonlight med and all was well. next morn we again used the lido fro breakfast and the range of food on offer was excellent , being a frequent stayer in hilton hotels I can say that the breakfast range on offer was every bet as good as hiltons world famous big breakfast, added we were in the middle of the med and this first breakfast right through to the last was simply first class!!!! about 3 or 4 days in we overheard an older couple bemoaning the fact that there wasnt porridge available and how it had always been available on cunard cruises......ummm they where speaking loud enough to try to make apoint, not wanting to be rude i kept quiet but took great delight when a young waiter who had be clearing dishes came over witha bowl of porridge and in the most pleasnat of manners spologised that he had overheard what they had said but wondered if waht he had brought over was what they had been talking about , the old couples face dropped when it weas pointed out that porridge was always available in the morn.......now the whole point about this incident wasnt the old couples bemoaning but the pleasnat way that the waiter went out of his way to offer his help and assitance. now not wanting this review to read like a blow by blow account from here on in I will pick up some of the highlights of our trip.........the captains cocktail party night really set the seal on our wonderful holiday since follwoing it you first artrive at your allocated table , we were on table 92 in the lright hand side room of the main restraunt , and if you get a chance I suggest that the side rooms offer a more exclusive feel about them , our waiters where moises and mecklis and delphine and our fellow tasble companions.......now firm friends ...couldnt have been bettered and we had a ball , meal times where a knowck out , the food was fantastic id give it 5 stars every meal , and if and when we came a cross something that perhaps wasnt to the childrens tast , sure did moises not appear with something different for them to as he would say to try .......he did this every time that we decied to eat less and not perhaps have a pudding ...fatal fatal fatal since hed appear with a selection of sharting deserts for the group to try .......the whole dining experience was the best service / unstuffy silver service I have experienced , my wife ...who recently attended queens garden party said that the service we recieved in that dining room put queenie to shame !! after the meal it was usually a bit of a dash to get into the cancan laounge for the evening show , and the one gripe I have with the shows and its a major one is that they where that good they should have lasted longer , an hour or sometimes 50 minutes went by far too quickly , remember youve been fed and watered and feeling really really content so an hour and a half show would have been simply fantastic. things brings me onto the entertainment in general on baord the ship, I had read that some folk critiicsed it as being too much like butlins, well having never been to butlins I cant compare but I will say that the range of activites was such you could ever fit everyhting in and there was always something going on somehere to please everyone. as for the ports of call they ranged from spectacualr , villefranche and mahone to well not so so spectacular, we did several of the organised trips, sorrento pompie, pizza , ericine in scicilly , rome ..montecarlo and while they where pricey adding about 700 pounds onto our holiday price they where worth it, some of the guides where excellent and so knowledgeable. well this review ids getting harder since there is so much more I could say , I know some of you will say that since it was our first cruise we had nothing to compare with so everything would be all rosy , but I am comparing the value of what we had on offer thats food service entettainmet etc etc etc etc to the likes of holidays we have had staying in disney hotels in florida and all inclusive holidays weve had previously in the likes of menorca and this cruise holiday simply blows them away . to sum up Id say if you havent cruised before and it dosent matter if your in your 30's 40's like what we where to you 80's and you have amind to try a cruise if you arrive on baord the destiny with an open mind and are prepared to enjoy yourself , to engage in chat with the staff to ,remember that your not on the qe2 to simply realx and go with the flow then you will have a ball , I would suggest that getting a deal that includes the all inclusive drinks package is must especially if its free since it emans you dont have to worry about the cost of drinks, my wife and myself oare not big big drinkers but we enjoyed ourselves especially in the knowledge that our 12 year old daughter could drink diet coke from morning to night is she wished , thought the virgin cocktails where more to her liking.......... so as i say If you think you might want to give it a go , then do it and while I accept cruises are far dearer than an average hotel/ beach holiday in the med ... what I experienced over the last two weeks far eexcedded any expectations that we had .. ps I apologise for the spellink of this , my tooch typink needs some work and im tryink to get away from reliaance on the old spell checkert ....
Quality of Food
the lido buffet was always good choice whether at breakfast or 2 in the morn for a wee curry and chips. the poolside grill did fantastic bbq and pizza and the seven seas couldnt be faulted ever every eveing our main meal was 5 stars.
Entertainment
excellent from silly poolside quizes to the fantastic shows, my only gripe was that the shows where so good in the can can loughe i wished they had lasted longer
Shore Excursions
seorrento and pompei wa good , though pompie on its own would have prob been a better option ericine and the cable car was fantastic, what splendid views and the wee village had such charm about it, rome on our won was great day we had been to rome before and hence only wanted to see the vatican and colessuim and have a wee bit of lunch hence we didnt over tire ourselves in what has to bea the best capital in the world
Staff
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent hopefully youll get my point!!!!!
Children's Facilities
my daughter being 12 just made it into the kidzone and she went to a couple of activites during our first week , the staff whereexcellent and she had aball, the breakfast party was the best since it gave us along lie in on that moring since she was collected from the cabin and also taken to breakfast.
Onboard Activities
there was always something to do , i think on one day there had been 35 different activites to see or take part in...
Cabins
ok the cabins are small and adequate i would recommend room 3150 for its positon on baord to anyone.
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Bradley, Glasgow (14 Jul 08 12:58) about this REVIEW.

Totally agree with the review and the previous comments made - I've been on Thomson Destiny twice and had an amazing time. I personally didn't feel a week was enough so did two weeks in May and it turned out to be only £200 more for a second week - bargain! also given that the all inclusive was chucked in for free! I'm already thinking about booking for next year as you can't beat the value for money, service and top class entertainment. R ps i'm in my 20's too - so its not just the older folk that fall in love with cruising :-) pps I have a review on here somewhere if you want my two cents - and if ur nosey for some pics of the ship have a look on my bebo - www.bebo.com/r00ssyb0y or facebook - ross.bradley@talktalk.net

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Pearson, Sutton Surrey (15 Jul 08 19:57) about a COMMENT by Bradley (14 Jul 08 12:58)

Miss nosey here has had a look at your photos on bebo.... and wishing i was sitting in the sky bar now having a few too many! Good times & plotting my next venture on there now!

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Comment by Bradley, Glasgow (17 Jul 08 12:57) about a COMMENT by Pearson (15 Jul 08 19:57)

I'm already planning next years trip too! the free all inclusive upgrade is still available for web bookings, but the tick is - take a print out of the web based offer to the thomsons store, they will price match the web, but the added advantage of booking at a store is they only need a £50 deposit for the booking, whereas the web is something like 30% of the total cost...also going via the store means they sort our tickets and check them etc all for you....when did you go on last time?

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Comment by Pearson, Sutton Surrey (17 Jul 08 17:56) about a COMMENT by Bradley (17 Jul 08 12:57)

The carribean cruise next year?? Was last on in May 29th i think we went for a week. You've given me an excellent idea as we wanna book for 2 weeks carribean but its about £1300 but the cash-flow prevents paying such large amounts all at once! The AL is that on the web via the thomson website? As there is an internet site called cruise deals which are apparently part of thomson but sometimes are slightly cheaper in price. Shall definately do it that way in future. When were you last there? Am trying to squeeze in a cruise in Oct although being rather unsuccessful at present!!

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Comment by Bradley, Glasgow (18 Jul 08 07:57) about a COMMENT by Pearson (17 Jul 08 17:56)

I was on a med cruise this year - went in early may (8th) for two weeks with two of my friends - havent done the carribean yet, but soo wanna try...The AL is available at the moment on the website, i did get told by the shop that it was ending end of June, but they always extend it over the summer months to get people re-booking for next year. The sneaky way of booking via the shop is great to save some cash at the on-set, I always do it that way! I was having a quick look at some october dates too as its the end of the season for them in the med, but still seemed pretty expensive, will keep my eye out - think maybe a cruise only and book your own flight might work out cheaper, at mo i'm exploring a few options... will have a look at cruise deals, to see what they offer - perhaps thats where thomson punt their last minute bargains to instead of their own website...have u been on any of the other ships... spirit is amazing as well.

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Comment by Pearson, Sutton Surrey (19 Jul 08 13:22) about a COMMENT by Bradley (18 Jul 08 07:57)

October is still pretty expensive... although ive met people out there that have booked literally 7-8 days before going & it cost them £300 for the week without AL. Your prob right booking the flights & cruise seperatly although if you know someone on the ship you can get a cabin for £200 48 hrs beforehand! Not what you know but who you know!! Shall see whether i can grab a bargain nearer the time! Havent tried any of the other Thomson ships... i keep thinking i'll be disappointed if i go on another 1 as it wont match up but want to try the celebration. Have family who've been on both spirit & celebration. Apparently Thomson are selling off 1 of its smaller ships & getting an even bigger 1 than the destiny. Shall definately be booking the carribean in the next few weeks, checking out the weather to miss the harrican season!!!

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Comment by Bradley, Glasgow (22 Jul 08 12:56) about a COMMENT by Pearson (19 Jul 08 13:22)

ooh i hadn't heard about another new ship for thomson - where did you hear that one?

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Comment by Pearson, Sutton Surrey (22 Jul 08 22:22) about a COMMENT by Bradley (22 Jul 08 12:56)

One of the receptionist on the Destiny told us about it. Definately one more if not 2 which will be bigger than Desinty. Think he said it would be next year before they were taking passengers. Anymore than that i dont know!!! We shall wait and see.....

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Pearson, Sutton Surrey (14 Jul 08 02:32) about this REVIEW.

It is so nice to see that someone else has fallen in love with the Thomson Destiny Ship! I have had 4 holidays onboard in the last year due to the excellent services, entertainment, excursions and general friendliness. Waiters and crew never ever forget a face or indeed a name and even after 6 months they still remember the drinks you like!! Definately a must try - being in my 20s people have often said that cruises are for 'old people!' complete rubbish i have some of the best memories from being onboard & the passengers range from their 20s-80s. Was priviledged enought to be invited onto the Captains Table for dinner 1 night with the Cruise and Assistant Cruise Director when i went in May - there is just so much going on 24/7 and preparation that us passengers never see. Totally amazing. Would recommend to anyone and a week will be enough to fall in love with the Ship just like i did!!

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