Just booked my cruise to egypt, they tried to charge me an extra £55 to fly from Manchester, but when I read my letter out the chap from The Cruise Store agreed with me, I shouldn't have to pay that, he phoned the DE and they said they would pay the supplement, so I've got a cruise on 8th Dec for £30! What a bargain, certainly worth the wait, now this is moving hope everyone gets a cruise soon.

Thanks for the update Lilly and many congratulations on booking your cruise!

I have added you to the Who's Going Where topic and started a Roll Call for your cruise.

luci

Hooray! Fantastic news! I'm delighted for you Lilly and all those who are still waiting.

I have read and heard a little about the Red Sea option, some of it on other threads on this forum, that you have chosen. It sounds like it will be quite an adventure visiting all those exotic ports of call - I am quite envious! The weather too should be fantastic!

What great news Lilly - enough to brighten a dull Monday! Lets hope this is the start of an avalanche of cruises!

Personally I would take the AI option because on Thomson ships it includes ALL drinks! I suppose it depends on what or how much you drink really. When I say all drinks that is slightly incorrect because you do have to pay for bottled water! Have a look at the AI topic in the cruise section!

Yipeeee!

Congratulations! I was beginning to think this thread was ready to die but if this is the start of something happening then it could get really lively again.

Nice cruise options as well!

Wonderful news, Lilly, well done, I'm sure you'll have a great time .

Let's hope everyone else still waiting gets sorted out as well.

Brilliant news Lilly - the options sound wonderful .

I do hope the Express intend to see it through now and it's not just arranging a few cruises to look good on Watchdog!!! There I go again...........ever the cynic!

For those waiting - you have some ammunition now in that you can tell them you know they are now releasing more cruises - and demand yours!!

Alli

Lilly thats great news, really positive. Do hope this is the start of lots of bookings?

Alison

Great news!
Well done, Lilly.
If you haven't seen it yet, this thread might be of interest
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=33725
Its about the Red Sea cruises.

Glad to see they lifted your ban!!! Magsy
What had you done?

Hope, we hear about some more cruises being allocated soon.

Peter

PS think this is Lilly's cruise
http://www.thomson-cruises.co.uk/newcruise/itn2.asp?itnnum=41
also 'whoamy' has posted photos of 3/10 cruise at
http://photobox.tiscali.co.uk/album/1986231

Welcome from the balcony,

To all new readers and in particular Lilly. (Well done for sticking to your corset)

We the 10/10 cruisers just got back tonight - :pele :pele :pele :pele
There was no sign of them line dancers but a little grey haired fat 'Chief Mate' made up for their absence. As did 'Captain Nero' (much to 'Gran's' disgust)

Chris and Vivien may be on line soon, (that is if there is no 'Champers' consumed en-route. On my National Express I had to make do with an episode of the 'Office', 'The Family' and 'Donald Duck' with no ear phones

What a great time we had - we met at least 4 other DE readers and 'Finger' and his Mrs. (I will let 'Mother' explain further) .

For an Italian ship the coffee was rubbish and the tea (as we would know it) none existant,

We spread the message re Holiday Truths and have the promise of some new converts - So Welcome Bill, Joan and Jean (from whom no one in uniform was safe, not even the police at Heathrow, It was nearly a case of the Captain going around the ship in his bathers)

I will post a report and photos (529 taken) when I get back on Monday.

A BIG BIG thank you to all for their continued support and well wishes.
I think I could say for all 0f us on the 10/10 cruise, our time on board was enriched by the knowledge that without you all we would not have, most proberbly, been able to see it through. So a BIG hug to you all.

Phil Morris

hi cruisers and anybody else who's around
what a great time was had by all. just got in at 10.45pm, and poured a wee dram (just to unwind after a long day). hope all the others are home or nearly home by now. champers I don't know what you mean phil.
the captain will be able to rest easy in his bed tonight knowing that he wont be waylaid. will be on line again tomorrow as brain is tired tonight, I mean phil, is that any way to treat your old mother having to run after you with a loaded trolly. night night vivien.

Welcome back both of you. So glad you had a good time and I'm sure we're all anxious to read the reports (and even more so to see the photos). I had a feeling that at least Phil would be signing on here tonight.

Good Morning from the Balcony

A very big apoligy to Vivien, for not mentioning her and her valiant effort at getting me on the National Express, (Heathrow is a huge mess and readers should be warned the bus stops are all over the place) Mother was great at shepherding me and she can sure run with a trolly.
What with Chris (as our 'Tour organiser' and suppler of glasses on more than one occasion.
Joan the raconteur, when in full flow (Poor Bill, Joan and I hardly had time to get a word in), and then Vivien the silent one but always there when needed (the anchor of the whole group) it all added to the spirit of the companionship. I do trust that a bond of friendship has been made that will last.

A big kiss to you all. I do know that without you my cruise would not have been enjoyable at all.

Phil

goodmorning phil, its great to hear you are all back and that you all had a good time,line dancing and plenty of ding dong!!!!!!!!!!i am sure we will see some amazing pictures!!
it has been a vry quiet site without you and maggsy!!!!!!!!!!!
looking forward to seeing your reviews

carol

Good news to hear you all had a great time on Melody. As I am off on 24th I would like some advice from all you experts as to how much extra I need for tipping, and how many people have to be tipped?
Any help much appreciated.
Great to see more movement again on this site!

Good Morning from the balcony

Hallo brownviking,
With referance to your 24th Oct Cruise,
I think everyone who has been on the Melody will agree the ship is a rip off for the following reasons
The photos are VERY expensive. E14.95 for your photo + a postcard of you arriving at the ship E6.95 for a photo of you with the Captain or any other event (dining room table) etc..

The excersions are Very expensive compared to Ocean Village, (which berthed alongside in Tunis)
Also the folk who went to Capri all complained - as you have very little free time when on any of the Melodys excersions.
One of the best values is the 'Open Top bus tour' in Naples E20 for two tours, no time left to do the third.
To find the tour, come off the ship (first step to anything ashore). go to the front of the Castle overlooking the forshore (remembering that these drive on the wrong side of the road) the first tour will leave going to your left as you stand at the kerb. The times of the tours are as follows

Tour B 11.15 12.00 12.45 13.30 14.45 15.00
Tour A 11.30 12.15 13.00 13.45 14.30 15.15

Or you can stand at the entrance to the quay and jump on the shuttle bus and be taken to the terminus, the time of the suttle bus are not given in the hand out.

I have not had time yet to look but the web site for the tour bus is http://www.city-sightseeing.it
Do not be put off by the talk of Malta being hard to reach etc.. from the dock, walk it turn right off the ship (quick exit through the duty free) up to the 'Queen Victoria arch' you will NOT miss it, under it and turn left up the gentle steps although they look steep there is plenty to look at whilst climbing and lots of side streets - look for the St. Peters Church (breath taking inside) on return to the ship buy fags if the need takes you as these are the cheapest. E15 for B&H or Marlbrough (200)

One thread was consistant through out our cruise the time of arrival in port given by Alythea (can't spell - but whats new) was always wrong "in 7 moths of being on this ship our Captain has never arrived late, so be prepaired to go ashore early" WRONG he was always late, even before his experiance with Gran. Not hours late but 1 hour or so on But do not let me detract form the experiance you are about to have it is a wonderful trip for £200 never mind £10. try to a void the stern of the ship, its like sleeping on a washing machine.

Enjoy it

Phil

Good Evening (yet again) from the Balcony

I seem to remember we were told the puppets were so dredful they had to be seen, they were wonderful as were all the acts - (well perhaps not the dancers they went on for too long and the man who can tap, just thought so much of himself, it was funny, but boring). The magian was very good -= do look out for his close up work in the cylipso bar where breakfast is served, he does it on the friday during afternoon tea./ the final night was a bit of an anti climax the singer old bald headed fella has a very good voice but spent 20 mins dong ohhh , ahhh with the audenance he was follwed by the entertainment team who were fantastic indeed a very entertaining 6 nights entertainment was had (first night I was out of it, sleeping). AVOID the bingo at all costs it is RIP OFF number 1 E10 for 1 game (over 300 took part the second night) E50 prize for a full house. only 1 game.
The gin is cheap on board (no one has told them yet 1lt (47% proof) E5.70
(I think - no doubt Gran or Mother will confirm) as I'm not a gin drinker

Bye for now going back to bed

Phil

Well done, Lily.

I've also had that offer. I hope you've managed to get through to the cruise store - in an earlier post I mentioned the problems I'd had getting through to the right group of people.

I'm really excited about going. I've just received confirmation so it's all systems go!

Perhaps we'll be on the same ship?

There's no need to use the 'special' expensive phone number they gave you - the company's normal one works: if you can't find it you can pm me for it.

Happy days!

Cruiser

Lily,

You don't need to worry now about paying for the in-flight meals or the £99 booze option: you can pay for both on the day of departure.

I don't think I'll go for the all-in option as it doesn't include water (as Magsy's pointed out). On my cruise, the ship is in port for almost the whole of each day, so I suppose I'll be sampling the on-shore delights.
Anyway, no need to make the final decision till I set sail.

Did you check that the £10 wasn't cashed by Rxxx? If it was, the DE will give a refund. And don't forget to make sure you've got insurance already - the cancellation charges are high.

bye,

Cruiser