we sailed on this ship last year 2004 when it was operated by airtours and called the sunbird.
we had deluxe cabins on deck seven which were superb.
everything was first class.
we booked up for this year on the "destiny" managed to get the same cabins for a cruise begining on 28th july 2005. we are hoping that the thomson influence can improve the set up even further .
i will let you know mid august when we get home

We travelled on this ship when she was the sunbird and it was our first cruise but the 2nd on the sunbird for my in laws that were traveling with us. We thought it was fantastic. The only minor problems were:
1.my in laws toilet blocked on several occasions but the crew did there upmost to resolve the matter.
2.the waiters in the lido cafe were inexpeienced compared with the waiters in the seven seas, but they tried.
The entertainment was great.
Kids club as far as our kids were concerned was the best, 1 child aged 8 the other 12.
It was euro 2004 and screens were difficult to view due to the ammount of the dutch fans waiting for england to fall!! So therefore cheated by the ref, after the portugal game we chose to follow whoever played against the dutch!! Hurrah for greece!!
We went on the Vatican trip and we felt was well worth the money as you cannot in any way make it through the crowds without a guide.
The trip to pompeii was also better with a guide to explain everything.
As for villa france, beautiful. Don't go on a trip as there is a train to either Monaco or Montecarlo.
Barcelona is also better viewed on your own. plenty of open topped buses to take you on a tour of the city, we went to Nou camp and thoughly enjoyed it!!
Missed out on walk upto Les Rambles, Barcelona so make sure you go there too!!!! My in laws went with the kids and there was plenty of street entertainment to see, but that is a holiday in itself!
If you love culture this is the itinery to go on.
Corsica, sardinia and Sicily were also lovely.
Tunisia was a dissapointment.
Malta was fine except for the hassle from the taxi men when you got off the ship. It was only a ten min walk to town, but all uphill.If you go in a taxi barta first for the price.
The resident band on the ship was great but a bit much for the two weeks could have done with someone different the second week.
If you get sea sick take some travel pills, my wife fell ill due to the choppy seas but i threw her overboard and told her i'd meet her in Majorca!!
All in all a brill holiday. We are converted to become cruisers from now on, money pending!!
Ignore the folk who think they are better than you and stick there noses in the air. The only people that complained you could tell weren't used to being content in life and somehow expected people to be fooled into thinking they deserved to be treated better than you.
Go on the ship and enjoy a lovely holiday.

I have traveled 3 times on this ship when it was the sunbird and loved everything about it especially the staff. Have just booked to go for the 1st time since Thompson have taken it over. I am hoping that it will be of the same high standard then airtours offered on this ship under the watchful eye of the superb master Philip Rentel. A few questions, can you purchase the AI package on board the ship or does this need done at time of booking your cruise, also is it worth the money. Any tips on how to go solo to both rome and Florence would be appreciated as I agree the ships trip prices are a disgrace. A bit worried about the language barrier at rail/bus stations as I have already had a bad exprience in Rome and couldnt gat talking to anyone who spoke English. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Mary.