Hi

Leaving for the above on the 6th July. Has anyone else been on this particular cruise. Just wondered if you could give me some advice about the excursions please.

Thanks

Hi there, we did the Crimean discovery 2ce in the last 2 years. Found it fascinating to go to places we would never have verntured to by land. On the sea day you get wonderful views of the Dardanelles, and go through Istanbul all lit up at night. Nessebar was a short stop, it's a Unesco heritage site, so well worth exploring, and just a short flight of steps from the ship, so no need for an excursion unless you particularly like the look of something. Sevastopol is really interesting, would strongly recommend the Crimean war excursion that goes to the Panorama museum and Charge of the light brigade site. It's not really a museum, more a gigantic painting, quite incredible. It's a nice city to walk around, but very few people speak English, so doing it yourself would be tricky. We've tried 2 excursions in Constanta, a winery that was ok but there were no vinyards, and a beach shuttle to Mamaia. Wasn't a great beach, but there were touristy shops, cafes and places to change money. Istanbul we did ourselves, took a taxi ride to Blue Mosque. Taxis I think were about 20 euros from the ship. Hagia Sofia is right next to it, and Topkapi palace just a bit further on. We walked to the Grand Bazaar. Went to Spice Bazaar, it sells everything, not just food. From there you can walk under the bridge, lots of shops and cafes, fish being landed right in front of you, amazing sights, smells and sounds, and back to the ship. There is a tram but we never actually saw it! Limnos is just charming, about half a mile walk from ship to the main village, lovely beach. We didn't have much time there, strong winds stopped us docking until about 5 pm. Sure you will have a great time,
kate

Dark, but that is what the lights are for!

Our first cruise was in an outside cabin, and every one (11 more) since then has been inside.....same size, but generally much lower cost. For us it is a no brainer.

We went on the Crimean Discoveries B itinerary last September and had a wonderful time.

You will be able to discover Nessebar for yourselves without a guided tour, and get off the ship as early as you can because crowds suddenly arrive from about 9.30 onwards.

We did the Crimean battlefields and Panorama exhibition tour at Sebastopol and it was very interesting. We asked to be dropped off in the town centre just before the coach returned to the ship, and walked down the main street, found a cash point and bought lunch in a typically Crimean restaurant (look up restaurants - Crimean cookery - Sebastopol on the internet for help). We really enjoyed eating the oddest things on the menu, but other visitors stuck to the more conventional and seemed to enjoy vast platefuls. We also bought some red wine - the Inkerman brand is good - and strolled back to the ship having looked at the waterfront. The language is indecipherable but you are made welcome all the same.

We did our own thing at Istanbul but managed to see a lot. A lot of people went on the Turkish Night excursion but from what I later learned they had eaten tinned fruit salad, a sliced of roast meat in gravy and a starter of some description, but nothing particularly Turkish ..... for about £38.

You will have a great time on this ship and the destinations staff - Paula and Debbie (last year) were very willing to help those not taking excursions with useful information.

We were in 336 - four berth inside on deck 3. It was very comfy and was spacious enough for us all. The tv shows the view from the bridge 24/24 so you don't need to leave your cabin to see what the weather is like!

Thanks Guys

Thanks for your replies - can't wait

Had a fabulous cruise, met Frank & his wife. Entertainment 1st class, weather in the mid 30's. It was great, ship very stable at sea, couldn't feel any movement at all & no vibration either! Might have to book again before it retires from the Thompson fleet!

well i think its the calypso thats unlucky getting keef as iv been cruising with thompson for few years now
at least twice a year and he is the worst cruise director iv met we just did 18 nights transatlantic and between keef and an awful manchester
jazz bad im just glad i was AI

i hope they return our kane to the destiny before i go onboard again later in the year

Hi Jackie
Sorry you dont rate Keef but we had him for 2 weeks on the Caribean and when he told us he and his wife would be on the Calypso later in the year we booked for Calypso in Oct we felt he was great but i realise we all have different tastes i just hope he is as good again. We have also cruised for many years now with Thomson and have found him 'one' on the most hard working em's we have come across.
Roger

hi rodger, it isnt his wife he joining rodger its his wife to be we did have chats with him and lee but maybe we just been spoiled before with kane unless they get married before he joins ship

never tried calypso a few of the waiters from destiny went to calypso this year and they have emailed us to say its a lovely ship but they miss the destiny
so hope you have a great time onboard

everyone has diffrent tastes rodger your right

We have just returned from our very first cruise and it was a pity we only booked for one week. We did the Hellenic Treasures on The Calypso with Thomson and we had a wonderful time. The crew and staff went out of their way to make sure all passengers enjoyed their holiday - nothing was too much trouble. We had an inside cabin but there was so much to do we literally only used the cabin to freshen up and sleep. The entertainment on board was very, very good, led by Frank Hammond who sadly is leaving for a land job, still in entertainment. He will be missed on The Calypso. We spent as much time as possible exploring each destination but there was lots happening on board for those who didn't want to leave the ship. We ate all our evening meals and the occasional breakfast and lunch in L'Orchidee Restaurant and couldn't fault the food or the service. Other meals were enjoyed in The Bistro. There was always plenty and lots of variety. The Calypso, being a small cruise ship, is ideal for first timers like us as the atmosphere on board is friendly and intimate. Happy to answer any questions.

We did exactly the same cruise in May & had a fantastic time. Couldn't fault a thing!

Hi

Going on the above on Monday. It says you can't have irons in the cabin. Anyone know how much the ironing service costs?
Has anyone taken a travle iron?

Thanks

Don't know about the Calypso but just come back from cruise on the Celebration and on most decks there was a laundry room with iron & ironing board set up for anyone to use for free (wish I had known this on other Thomson cruises we have been on) so I just took some hangers with me from the cabin, ironed what I needed then straight onto the hangers and back in the wardrobe.
I would assume there would be the same facility on the Calypso?

The ironing service is part of the washing service, and is not cheap, but then how much do you need to iron? Hanging clothes in the shower area and running the hot shower helps to get creases to drop out.
There are no public ironing facilities on the Calypso, but the turnround for laundry is very quick, especially if you give your bag to the cabin steward before 10 am. No place really to iron, and I would respect their rules and don't bring your travel iron, not least because the plugs are unusual being American!