It may help if you list the ports you will be visiting.

luci

Soorry about that. Latakia, Ashdod,Port Said and Alexandria. Thanks for any help.

I am going on this trip too, on the 31st of March. Any info on this ship and cruise would be appreciated! Not sure if we are going to get off ship, but we going to Latakia, Port Said, Alexandria and Haifa. Thanks

I am going on the above cruise on 31 March.

I have been trying to find out about the visas required for Latakia, Syria. According to the Embassy website, there seems to be a lot of fuss involved. I am waiting to hear back from Thomson as to whether there is a group Visa that covers their excursions? Does anyone know please?

Thanks

we too are going on this cruise on the 24th march 2010 as regards to visas thompson travel agent said we didnt a visa for any of the ports of call so im confused as well.also if anyone has any info on the organised trips which to avoid etc that wud be great

I have just booked (this morning) to go on the 24th March - never been on a cruise before, so really looking forward to it. I have checked the Visa situation, you do need a Visa for Syria - however, the cruise has a "Ships Visa" which covers you if you go on one of the organised trips.

There is a really good, detailed review on Trip-Advisor, with a number of the cruise excursions described.

My mum and i are also going on this cruise, but on the 31st March. Our travel agent said u wont need any visa's as it will be covered on tha ship n excursion! However, i have read some reviews online about this trip and alot of people have commented on the problems they had when wanting to go on trips in israel, as they have like "border control" come on the ship and keep everybodies passports which has seemed to cause alot of delay!!! But, other than that all the reviews i have read have said its a fantastic cruise, and lots to do on the excursions, and alot to do on ship aswell!!
My mum and me are so excited, as it was a bargain and we feel its once in a life time trip! So im just hoping it lives upto this!!
Maybe see a few of you on the cruise on the 31st

thanx we are hoping to do the trip to the pyramids and probably 1 in israel havnt been to this area b4 but hav been on the spirit went on med cruise 2008 the spirit is a lovely ship food amazing and service is 11out of 10 didnt do any trips tho just got off ship and did our own thing anyway cant wait for the 24th
sun sea brill food vodka what more could one want!!

Yes, hope to see some of you on this trip! (31st) x

Ive read alot of reviews which say the Spirit is fantastic, very clean and food to high standards but not every1 has agreed on the entertainment on board! Do you have to dress up for evening meals? or is it cas, cos there the buffet place will that be bit more laid back? yes mum n me have never been round that area before, so will be brilliant to go! i have heard if u do any trips to holy places and where the majority of people are muslim that you have to wear 3/4 length trousers, and shoulders and chest covered! esp in holy places! just thought id let you know i hope you have a fantastic time!!
and yes racegirl- hopefully we will see ya there?!!

We are going on this cruise on 31st March. This will be our 3rd with Thomson. Both of our previous trips (Red Sea Magic and Colourful Coasts) were on the Celebration, which we loved. We have been on other cruises (Island Star and Ocean Village 2), but I think I have enjoyed the Celebration cruises the most. Smart casual is absolutely fine in the evening, although if you do like to get dressed up there is the Captain's Cocktail party which we haven't bothered with as it just seems to be a lot of queueing. We prefer the buffet, but I have heard nice things about the other restaurants. I think the Spirit follows the same formula. The excursions have been fine, although they do insist on throwing in a visit to an overpriced shop. I found the staff on board were all lovely and friendly, and there was loads to do. We are so excited. Four weeks to go yay!

That sounds brill about dressin cas, i got a few dresses to wear but to be honest we dont think tha captain meal thing is gonna be tha interestin n tha reviews ive read ave said its alot of waitin to get a photo wiv the captain and then sit down for a meal!!! Alot of people have said that the buffet is perfectly fine!!! Yeh ive seen some reviews which say bout the shops boo hiss!!! no wonder the trips r so long eh?!
I know im countin the sleeps down for it, soo excited!!! Im lookin forward to the trips and the places where we can go, as its somethin completely different to what ive done before!! What is the boat like, as in does it make alot of noise and do u even know that ure on a boat- cos im not good with boats but the trip seemed too good to miss, alot of people ive spoken to say that i wouldnt even know we were at sea!! is this true?? where is everyone flyin from for 31st March?? Mite see some of u in the airport!! Yaaayyy x

I haven't been on the Spirit but think it is the same as the Celebration. Our cabins both times were on deck 3 outside. The first time was a twin room second from the front of the ship (Red Sea Magic). I think we heard a bit of water noise one night but to be honest I always slept like a baby! Second time we were mid way on deck 3 and no noise at all that I can recall. I booked this room because I heard you were best to be low down and mid way in case the sea is a little rough. The ship was very smooth in the Read Sea. Around the Canaries in March last year, there was one night when it was windy but it was blowing one side of the ship and there really was no rocking. I am the same and was worried the first time I cruised but it has been fine, so far (touch wood)!

We are flying from Luton on 31st March.

Hi Gems and welcome to HT!

Can I ask that you don't post in phone style text as per our Rules of Posting? Some of our visually impaired members use Screen Readers that do not recognise this type of text.

Rules Of Posting:

2) Do NOT post in TXT message style - Your post WILL be deleted.

Thanks.

luci

Hello guys.

We are flying from Stansted on 31st March. Makes a change, as not flown from there before. Flight is at 805am. Prebooked cabin on deck 1 as we wanted double bed and there arent too many. Not too sure if we are going to do any excursions as this is a taster cruise and cheap holiday for us, but cant wait. I am looking forward to getting dressed up as I dont do it that often. Glad the Spirit is getting good reviews. Cant wait to get into the Casino! Lol! Anyone else looking forward to the sail away party? Only 25 days to go! x x

Gems wrote:

That sounds brill about dressin cas, i got a few dresses to wear but to be honest we dont think tha captain meal thing is gonna be tha interestin n tha reviews ive read ave said its alot of waitin to get a photo wiv the captain and then sit down for a meal!!! Alot of people have said that the buffet is perfectly fine!!! Yeh ive seen some reviews which say bout the shops boo hiss!!! no wonder the trips r so long eh?!
I know im countin the sleeps down for it, soo excited!!! Im lookin forward to the trips and the places where we can go, as its somethin completely different to what ive done before!! What is the boat like, as in does it make alot of noise and do u even know that ure on a boat- cos im not good with boats but the trip seemed too good to miss, alot of people ive spoken to say that i wouldnt even know we were at sea!! is this true?? where is everyone flyin from for 31st March?? Mite see some of u in the airport!! Yaaayyy x

You don't have to queue up for a photo with the captain on formal night if you don't want to. You can still wear your formal clothes and eat in the main dining room. The other thing is just a 'photo opportunity'! We have never bothered with this photo on the cruises we have been on. However we still enjoy getting dressed up and a gala meal. I recommend you join in and don't just go to the buffet.

If people are finding deals ontheis trip can they please post them on the deals thread.

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=101339

I have just heard that the 31st March sailing is no longer calling at Latakia in Syria. It will be calling at Alanya in Turkey instead! Thomson are saying there are new changes to immigration procedures in Syria that they are unable to comply with! How disappointing. We have done Turkey to death and didn't want to go again. Also, instead of spending 2 days in Haifa, one day will now be in Ashdod.