I hope that doesn't happen when I'm there next year... Its got me worried now lol.

We are going friday 3/11!!!!!!! So fingers crossed everything is ok!

Good luck, I'm sure it wont happen again. Have a great cruise and tell us about it when you come back!

Don't worry hopeless... will be on the same time as you and my hubby is a plumber

Hi Sunseeker,
I didn't do Barcelona on Destiny, but we called there on the Topaz.
The ship docked right on the quayside at the bottom of Las Ramblas, and it was an easy stroll up the street. From other posts I gather that the berth can be further away and you may want to take a shuttle bus.
Las Ramblas was a bit touristy with lots of hotels, human statues, stalls selling souveniers, but the side streets had more "proper"shops, just make sure you remember which way you went . There are loads of Tapas bars, and places to stop for a drink and watch the world go by.
We didn't do the football stadium, but others who did said that it was good and not too hard to find.
There is loads of atmosphere and there is enough to see just within walking distance if you don't fancy trips, but we would probably go to the football stadium again if we went back.

Barcelona was one of my favourite stops on that trip and was one of the few places that we said we would like to go back to for a long weekend.

You get a lot of warnings about pickpockets, but it is the same as any city really, just use common sense and don't wave your money or valuables around,

Hi - our first time in Barcelona, we did the ship's half day excursion which included highlights of the city and entry to the stadium. The coach then dropped us off at Las Ramblas, which left us with half a day to do our own thing.

Gill

Does anybody know if you can buy duty free perfumes onboard during the colourful coasts cruise around the canaries or am I better buying perfume etc at the airport?
Only a week to go now!!!

Thanks for the useful info to all
Gill was the excursion worth doing with Thomsons?

murphymo,
You should be able to get them onboard, usually when the ship is out of a part at night. Although they may be cheaper at the hairport or in shops in the ports you stop at.

As I dont own a dinner suit.I was wondering if its really worth paying to hire one,seeing as I will only wear it once for the captains dinner.What do others think?
We are going AI. and like to drink a bottle of wine with our meal.do they really charge £7 even though your AI.

Hiya all, especially jessthepest, We are home safe!
Even after the fiasco with the toilets breaking down, we have had a wonderful cruise over the last week. When all said and done people are asked not to put anything but toilet paper down the vacuum system and reports were that there were hand towels and t shirts found in the tanks which caused the blockages!!!
It was very unsanitary and unpleasant at the time but again a few idiots spoilt it for hundreds of passengers.
It has not put me off and we will cruise again (still swaying)!

Pipefitter
Dont bother getting tuxedo - a few wore them but the majority wore normal suit/tie. As with anything there were those women who went the whole hog with ball gowns etc and others wore trousers and top.
Other nights it is trousers and shirts for men and sumer dresses or trousers and tops for women.
Dont bother buying bottles of wine cos you will get charged at least £7 for the privelege. The waters constantly fill up your glass during the meal anyway, which is included in the AI option. We as a family certainly got our moneys worth from being all inclusive (soft drinks as well as alcoholic ones). The food is excellent, as my screaming waistband will agree!!

Thanks for that Jeccabean.Wont be hireing a dinner suit,just priced them this afternoon It was £35 for a weekend hire to start with.Ended up buying a dark jacket and matching trousers from Primark discounted to £25.
Im sure I will have more questions to ask before we go.

We're off on Destiny on 10th November and are now really worried by the recent problems and dreadful reviews just posted in the review section. This is our first cruise ever and we were nervous anyway. We've got a Deluxe cabin on deck 7. Does anyone know if these were affected by the problems?

debs,
Problems like that happen very rarely. Your cruise will be lovely. Thomson are a really great company and you'll love it!

Re: Barcelona - the ships trips are always dearer than DIY, and we have since discovered that DIY is very easy in Barcelona - our second trip there we travelled round on the metro system. However, I like the security of the ships excursions, especially on a first visit to a city. An alternative would be to get the open top bus that tours the city - it will be cheaper that the ship trip but dearer than the metro. However, it is an excellent way to see the city and includes all major sights, including the stadium. We discovered this on our 3rd visit to the city!

Gill

Jeccabean.As we are planning to do some shopping in Puerto del Cruz, can you tell me what time the Destiny set sail on the friday.

It should set sail at midnight. Our flight was a late on and we did not board until just before midnight. However a couple of other flights were badly delayed and the last passengers did not board until 5.30am saturday! We set sail at 6am. You can come and go as you please but you must be on board 30 mins before sailing time. We had the whole day when we returned the following saturday as we did not go to airport until 6.45pm.

Does anyone know if the Thomson Destiny has Poker in the casino?

Now for the silly ones!!
Does the ship have a cash point on board? I know that everything is charged to your cabin account, but what about money for the casino? Just if the answer to the 1st question is yes, I could never estimate how much english money to take on board for my husbands poker playing!!!

On excursions will there be oppurtunities to go to cash points to get out more money (talking Euros now) if we need it? Dont normally use travellers cheques or could these be changed up on the ship??