Hi Sunseeker
on the Thomson cruises we have been on they dont send you the trip info through the post but they hold a 'Port Showcase' on the first full day. This means that you don't have long to decide about trips for the following day and they try and rush you into making a decision. However there is a Excursion Desk and you get info on the trips from them. Some of them are quite expensive and often you can see a lot by making your own way or getting together with another couple and hiring a taxi. However if you are going to Rome I would advise a trip because you dock in Citavecchia which is an hours drive away. We did a walking tour that included the Coloseum, Pantheon and Spannish Steps and also included lunch. It was excellent but we needed a full day to recover!!
Curley

thanks for that info Curley Shirley.

My husband and I are also going on the Jewels/Renaissance cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary in September. The Coloseum is probably the only place I've put on my "hit list" of places not to be missed! Do you have any idea of the cost per person (roughly) for this trip if we book it through Thompson and how many hours are we likely to be away from the ship?
Netty

Thanks Curley Shirley
Will keep a note of that one- is there a trip to the Vatican also?
Must remember to put extra memory sticks on my shopping list before I go- and good walking shoes
Which cruise did you do the jewels or the Renaissance one?

Don't forget to check that any tour you opt for includes entry and guided tour round the Collosseum - the trip we did only took us round the outside. So the next time we went we did the Thomsons DIY trip, where their coach drops you off, and we made straight for the Collosseum and visited it properly then - well worth it.

Gill

Hi, do you remember the cost of any of these trips to rome thanks.

Escorted tour I think around £50 - including a nice lunch. The diy coach around £30.

Gill

if someone could tell me what to do ..( i have all the prices on a leaflet from last year),would put them on . havent got a clue how you do that sort of thing

Karen..............Hi

if you MSN me I will help you out rearding these trips as I have been on both of these routes, Rome is so easy to do on your own and Thomson excursion prices for 4 of you would work out quite expensive.

I can also help you out with other trips too.

Speak to you soon, Im on MSN every day at some point....Calum depending!!!! catching up with hubby, when he is at work.

Speak soon.

Angie x

Hi Angie and thanx!!

Booked this cruise on your recommendation as I know what a lllllllllllovely time you had

Will look out for you when logging on next on msn- only not been on so much, as have been soaking up the sun - bit of a red face too!!

Gill1scott- do the Thomson tours not all include entry costs then?

Oh Laine that would be excellent if I could somehow see the sheets with excursions/ prices.
Have you a fax machine? Perhaps pm me?

Thanx for all your help

Hope all is well with Calum Angie xxx

They include all entry costs if the site is included on the tour. The Collosseum entry isn't included because there isn't enough time to go inside so you only get a look round the outside - on the tour I did anyway.

Gill

ps I still think Rome DIY to be quite daunting for a first timer.

Thanks for that Gill. I know that sometimes we pay the extra for a bit of security etc.
After all would hate to "Miss the boat" so to speak.
Will have to save loads before going I think

Karen, Calum is doing fine, was weighed today...7lbs 11.5oz now!

Sorry........

Rome DIY was really easy, Ive done it twice that way and you get to see stuff at your own pace, train from where ship docks takes about an hour and then the underground is so easy to use, Im the first one to get lost, and I managed it ok!!!

The cruise you are doing is fab Karen, I really enjoyed it, lovely places to see.

Catch you on MSN soon. Watch out you don't get too burnt!!!

Angie x

THE TRIP TO ROME ON THE EXCELLENT RAILWAY SYSTEM IS VERY SIMPLE TO DO,CATCH THE SHUTTLE FROM THE SHIP TO CIVITAVECCHIA STATION ,GET A TICKET TO THE TERMINI .VALIDATE IT IN THE YELLOW COLOURED MACHINES DOTTED AROUND THE STATION,JUMP ON THE TRAIN,WATCH ALL KINDS OF HILARIOUS GOINGS ON WITH THE ITALIAN PASSENGERS !!ADMIRE THE GRAFFITI ON VIRTUALLY EVERY BUILDING AS YOU NEAR ROME,APPROX 1 HOUR FROM BEGINING TO ARRIVAL AT TERMINI,THE TRAIN TICKET ALSO COVERS THE METRO BUSES!!FIND ONE THAT TAKES YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND THEN JUST ENJOY,I DID,I WENT LAST SEPTEMBER AND AM DOING 2 WEEKS THIS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER.THE VIP THOMSON TOUR WAS £112,MY TRAIN TICKET COST 9 EURO'S! GET OFF THE SHIP AS EARLY AS YOU CAN TO MAXIMISE YOUR TIME IN ROME THE SHIP IS DOCKED AT AROUND 8 AM,AND LEAVES AT 20.00.YOU WILL REALLY ENJOY IT TRUST ME.HAVE FUN

Hi Darryl, welcome to HT
Can I request that when you post, that you take off your Caps Lock Key please. Post made in capitals will be deleted as per the terms and conditions of the site.

Many thanks

Kath HT Admin

I am going on the Spirit in August for a fortnight and have the drinks package included in the deal. My sister in law have managed to join us for the first week and is wondering if there is any benifit in paying the 300 and odd pounds for the service or just paying as they go along. Any advice would be gratfully recieved.

Also I read with interest the thread about making your own way to Rome can be cheaper and just as much fun, has anyone got any similar advice for the other Med destinations.

Thanks

John

Hi John

What other places are you cruising to?
Ive done this cruise but think some of the destinations may have changed.
Are you going to Barcelona??

I can help you out if you let me have an idea of where you are going, and yes, Rome is really easy on your own, and far cheaper than the Thomson organised trips.

HTH

Angie x

I'm thinking of doing the Jewels of the Mediterranean - Thomson Spirit cruise and would love any info you might have about Barcelona.

The Jewels of the Mediterranean 2007 starts in Palma and goes to La Goulette, Naples, Ajaccio, Marseille, Barcelona and back to Palma.

Mediterranean Renaissance 2007 cruise starts in Palma and then goes to Villefranche, Livorno, Rome, Alghero, Palamos and back to Palma.

The Thomson Spirit, Celebration & Destiny all do more or less the same ports of call.