Had a great holiday with Thomson – our first cruise – and overall enjoyed the experience very much. Flew to Dalaman for a week’s cruise sailing from (and returning to) Marmaris. Efficient transfer, with level walk to the coaches. Not great quality plane nor coach, seats stuck in recline position, no tv monitors for films or info, but we arrived safely.
The Thomson Spirit check-in was hectic with many flights arriving within a few hours of each other, but we were eventually on board and taken to our cabin. Larger than we had expected, with twin or double configurations possible. Furniture and bathroom tired but serviceable. Plenty of storage too.
Visited some great places: Istanbul, Bozcaada, Kusadusi, Athens and Santorini. Paid for two full day trips at Istanbul and Kusadusi. These were okay but expensive (£70 pp per trip). Suggest you take a tram in Istanbul up to the main square for the Blue Mosque etc and organise a shore excursion from the UK or hire a taxi in Kusadusi if you wish to visit Ephesus. In Athens there is a very useful bus service (X80) from Piraeus to central Athens, with stops for the Acropolis and Syntagma Square. The cost is only 4 euros for a day travel pass.
Good things:
Friendly fellow-travellers. Some great conversations over meals.
Good mix of ages, very varied entertainment and plentiful food.
Choice of self-service or waiter service restaurants.
Excellent staff, friendly and helpful.
Very committed entertainment team who worked really hard to give us a good holiday.
Extremely good value for money, with all tips and port fees included.
Not so good:
The weather. Rain, rain, rain.
Ship looks dated and tired.
Food of variable quality.
Would have liked to see some cultural talks/language lessons on the programme.
Expensive trips. You also feel under pressure to get back on the ship early after all the warnings that you will be left behind if late. Booking one of the official trips guarantees you won’t be left!
