Emerald or Calypso. Help!

Presto2

2006-08-27 13:20:34

We are thinking about doing a cruise in the near future - probably 2008 to be honest, but I like to do as much research as I can to make sure its right for us! Have done a mini cruise from Cyprus with Louis Cruises ( I think these are the people who let their ships to Thomson anyway) and though it was only 3 days we loved it! We love the sea - as long as I'm near the sea I'm happy and neither of us get sea sick. To be honest a week at sea would be enough as I get 'itchy feet' very easily and need to be up and moving --- hubby likes to do a tour and stay to wear me out for week one and then hopefully I crach out week 2!

We've done a tour and stay via a coach with Cosmos and really like the first week touring and then the second chilling and doing nothing. We'd love to do pplaces like Rhodes and Ephesus so our cruise really is linked to the places we'd like to see.

Have read loads of reviews etc re the many cruise sites and have come down to the Emerald or Calypso. Initially would have preferred a balcony room, but this would mean a ship going to places we don't want to see!

Just wondering about the Emerald - we'd have to go in August - are there loads of children? (Work in a school and as a couple with no children really do not want to be bombarded - though, obviously we'er quite happy for family holidays) Also, with the dining etc - is it pretty relaxed and not too chaotic? Really don't want hassle on holiday! Also, have read some reviews that it's a bit like a 'hi de hi' feeling - like Butlins at sea --- wouold hate this?! Is it possible to escape the 'entertainment' if possible?! We really prefer nice, quiet bars and a cocktail - can't stand the 'drink as much as you can cos it's all included' type of holiday - (though we do like a drink or 2 ---- or 3 -----)

I know that the Calypso had a problem, but all seemed pretty calm and am watching the brochures to see what happens!

Sorry to bombard everyone with questions, but its really hard to make a decision about something we have never done before!

Many thanks everyone -

fatandy1942

2006-08-30 08:20:12

the description helps

MMm tough questions as to what boat to travel with.

Well, one thing jumps straight away. KIDS. If you want to avoid kids then its the Calypso straight away. The boat is advertised as an adults only, so I presume only those over 18 will be allowed.

However, to be honest, the most kids i've ever seen on the Emerald even during one of the school holidays was 10, and I think 4 came from the same family.

Floating Butlins

Now, here lies another problem. Obviously the boats have to cater for all aspects of the British holiday maker so both boats will have some entertainment. This will form in a number of ways. Show rooms will have their own version of west end shows, large bars and entertainment areas will have caberets and comedians or even a little live music. HOWEVER, you can avoid these, and as they are so popular, you will probably be like me and move to a nice quiet bar away from the crowds anyway. You will find at least one or two that will suit your cause. Definately on the Emerald, I always hide in the Starlight bar, because this only gets busy around 11pm when the disco starts, but then the other entertainment has ended, so I am happy.

Best advice is read the boat descriptions in the brochure, see how many bars on each ship is and where entertainment is. But believe me you will be able to avoid it on either ship.

Andy

Presto2

2006-08-30 17:17:56

Thanks for that - must admit re the 'Butlins type entertainment' the entertainment you describe sounds like the entertainment we got on our mini cuise a few years back. That was a Louis Cruise boat so we are expecting more of the same really - some people seem to expect the QE2 for Emerald prices - we feel that in some ways we know what to expect.

We usually holiday in a hotel and are quite happy to dress up (smart casuals) for the evenign meal - that's part of the holiday - but are a little worried re the formal evenings. Are we right thinking that is generally smart casual and you can avoid if yuo want to?

Thanks again

:wink:

luci HT Mod

2006-08-30 19:38:16

No need to worry about the formal nights on these ships. A normal lounge suit would be fine or just a shirt and tie if you wanted. Whatever you would wear to go out for a nice meal at home or abroad really.

luci :wave

Liverpool Lou

2006-09-03 14:22:19

Have just done a week on the Emerald (Aug 11th) and one night when the Cruise Director was thanking all his staff he announced that there were 140 children on the cruise....I was amazed, wouldn't have guessed at more than 20 ! They were barely noticable.
Entertainment wise there were a few good shows in the Lounge Royale but you do have to get there handy to get a decent seat due to the layout of the room.

Presto2

2006-09-03 15:47:38

Thanks for the replies - 140 children !!!! - have come over all faint like! :lol:

Have spent ages looking through info etc about loads of cruises, but it seems like we may be sticknig to the Emerald. We like the cruises they offer and the hotel that they stay in for the second week is one that we've had our eyes on for years (its one on our wish list!).

Has anyone had a premium cabin or superior outside plus? The last time we did a mini cruise we had a cabin similar to the superior outside plus, woth low picture windows ---- we loved it. Any tips re the cabins would be appreciated - though I realise that there is another link to the Emerald on the site as well --

Thanks again

:wink:

kate52

2006-09-03 16:12:55

we had a superior outside plus last year- purely for the window, which was the only difference as all cabins on all decks seemed just as nice (we had an inside courtesy cabin on last day).
Main advantage was being on deck 7- didn't have to take the kettle for an early morning cuppa as the tea/coffee station was just along the deck.
(Kettles seem to be a forbidden item this year

)
Also we had parallel twins which I much preferred to the L shape on the Destiny this year.

Liverpool Lou

2006-09-03 19:11:35

Had a superior outside cabin (415) had 2 portholes and ample space, bathroom also a good size. A good deck to be on when in port as this was the deck for the gangway most often. Wouldn't pick a cabin that was on the "main run" through to The Bistro as it is very busy at breakfast time etc.
Presto2 - hope the hotel you have got your eye on isn't The Corcyra Beach....must get on and do a review about it...awful !

kate52

2006-09-10 19:22:23

Well- have taken the plunge and booked the Calypso for 2 weeks next July/ August. We were tempted to wait and see what late deals were around, but the itinerary proved too interesting to resist. I know nothing about Eastern Europe, and don't imagine DIY will be an option!
If anyone has any information about the ports it would be great-
Nessebar, Sevastopol, Constanta, Istanbul, Cannakale, Durres, Volos, Thessaloniki. Just like to know which ports we can wander round ourselves and which require trips.

Alan Richards

2006-09-29 22:44:33

Calypso

Hi Kate, We have booked Calypso for October 2007, so will be very interested to hear your comments when you return. Given the size of the ship, it appears to be going to some slighlty different, and possibly smaller, destinations, which are often very accesible from the ship. That is however speculation on my part.

kate52

2006-09-30 17:00:56

Glad to hear someone else has booked Alan- I was beginning to go into "What have I done?!! " mode! Will certainly report back!

Alan Richards

2006-09-30 18:16:06

Calypso

Hi Kate, when we booked we wanted to fly from East Midlands but no seats available, presumably already booked, so it looks as though some more have decided to take the plunge! Will be interested to read your report when you return. Understand there is a review page already in exsisitance but under the title "Calypso Cruise". Seems Thomson don't refer to it as the Thomson Calypso, just Calypso. Seems a bit like splitting hairs but there we go.

Appreciate there has been some bad reports regarding Calypso, but I think a lot of that probably media hype. We sailed on the old Topaz twice, and, according to the media, they had an outbreak of fooding poisoning between our sailings, but everything was fine when we were on board, so was the outbreak really that bad?

Also sailed on Celebration in May round the Fjords, and was absolutely brill. Yet in 2005 it was being labelled as the cruise ship from hell, so I am beginning to take all this with a pinch of salt. Gather Calypso is going in for a refurb, and judging by the standards on other Thomson ships I am sure by the time we go aboard they will have everything done and dusted, including a very efficient crew.

Think I will get in touch with Thomson and see if a can some cash recognition for all this excellent advertising. Cheers for now

luci HT Mod

2006-09-30 19:09:50

Just to clarify, when Thomson took over the Nieuw Amsterdam they renamed it the Thomson Spirit. Similarly when they took over the Sunbird, they renamed it the Thomson Destiny and not just the Destiny.

However they have just taken over the Calypso and have left it with it's original name and not renamed it. Therefore I am not "splitting hairs".

luci :wave

Alan Richards

2006-10-01 18:36:18

Calpso

Whoops. Consider knukles rapped!

Alan Richards

2006-10-02 16:29:41

Calypso

Hi Kate,

Notice there is a topic "Calypso - new cruise ship for Thomson 2007". If I hear anymore info regarding the Calypso will post it on that one rather than this, which is more comparing the Emerald with Calypso. Cheers

Cruises

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