Ok a couple of questions - is there anywhere on the ship that you can use a washing machine at all- like on the Celebration......... and what hours is the gym in operation

Hi there,

Unfortunately there are no washing machines on the ship - they have a laundry service but, as always with these things, it's reasonably expensive. You could take travel wash and rinse a few things through in the sink, but you can't take irons in the cabin either.

The gym is open generally from 7am-9pm. There's normally some sort of fitness class on at about 4/5pm. It doesn't seem to get a lot of use, actually, as whenever we went past it was empty!

Have a fabulous holiday!

Jennifer
xx

Hi Sunseeker1,
There are no laundry facilities, only room service laundry, that is OK for a couple of items but would cost you a lot if you wanted to clean all of your holiday stuff.

I didn't actually notice that the Gym closed and it seemed to be open early in the am, it's quite basic, about 3 treadmills, steppers, rowing machines, some free weights. Water and towels were provided.

Thanks for the quick reply- will hace to take extra clothes then if using the gym

Been trying to keep it up so that when we go with all that food on offer-I may stll use the gym..

But good to know laundry service - do you know the rough costs?

I am going on the Destiny in 2 weeks,can anyone tell me if the smoking areas are the same as last year.
ie,small corridor in main bar + one side of Oklahoma Lounge.
Thanks
Johnny C

Hi Johnny,

Smoking is still allowed on one side of each outdoor deck, in one side of the Oklahoma Lounge, in the Clipper bar and in cabins. I'm not a smoker but I just happened to take note when I was there a few weeks ago!

Jennifer

Hi Johnny,
We went in August last year and Feb this year, the smoking restrictions were exactly the same.

Sunseeker. I have last years's laundry service list here.

You can have Regular service returned next day by 7pm or same day service returned same day by 6.30pm. The list is very long and covers different items of clothing and gives prices for wash, press and dry cleaning.

Just for example, a shirt costs £2.30 with £1.60 to press or £3 to dry clean.Trouses £1.75 to press or £3.20 to dry clean.

An expensive business if you need to do a lot of washing.

We took one of those circular clothes dryers with the pegs attached ( The textured walls of the shower cubicle do not allow the suction cups of the travel washing lines to stick)

We hand washed in travel wash, rolled the item in a towel to remove most of the water and dried small items like T shirts on the back of the sun loungers during the heat of the day.

I must admit I found my Valhalla on the Spirit and spent alot of time in the laundry area.

We are cruising for the first time on the Destiny, on 19 July the Mediterannean Renaissance Cruise.

We are a family of 4, with 2 kids aged 4 and 10.

I would be grateful for some advice on:

1) Shore Excursions - Any recommendations given the ages of our kids, or is there any advice on arranging your own excursion, we think we would like to see Rome, Pisa and Monte Carlo;
2) Dress Code - Which restaurant(s) would suit best with 2 kids, is shirt/tie required (I would prefer polo shirt & trousers);
3) Evening entertainement - are kids welcome at evening shows?;
4) Tip code - are you expected to tip, and how. Do you single out particular staff or leave a general tip on the ship.

We are staying at the Como Gran in the first week (from 12 July). Any idea how what time the transfer to the ship is?

At the end of the cruise, how early does the transfer to the airport take place, our return flight leaves Palma around 8.30am local time.

For Shore Excursions, all can be done on your own, but with 2 young children Pisa and Rome are quite a long journey, Rome about 2 hours, you may find it easier to do the coach tours with the ship. Rome is a long day with kids, they offer different itinerarys, you should find one that will suit you best.
Bear in mind it will also be incredibly hot at that time of year. Our daughter was 9 when we did the Rome trip and she really didn't enjoy the heat and the travelling.

Monte Carlo however is really easy. You are tendered from the ship to the bay of Villefranche, follow the coast road around the bay and after 10 mins you will come to a high stone wall on your left, there are steps, go up the steps and you will find the booking hall. The trains are regular and the station at Monte Carlo is modern, just check when you get off the times to come back.

Dress code in the main restaurant will vary, your cruise news will tell you each day, what the expected attire will be and also offers an explanation of what it means
I would take the kids to the main restaurant, the waiters are lovely with the children, and they do a bit of a sing song some nights. The food is good and they offer a childrens menu, however my son and daughter would mix and match, if there was something on the adult menu they liked or if they wanted to try something new, then they could. My son even tried the snails last year

Kids are welcome at the evening shows. They usually put families on the first sitting for dinner so that they have a chance to see the first show.

We tipped, although it is all included. We tipped the cabin steward, our table waiter, wine waiter and the assistant table waiter. We also tipped some of the bar stewards for the excellent service that we received. This was all done at the end of the holiday, we just put the money in envelopes with their names on and gave it directly to them on the last day.

Sorry, don't know about the transfers.

Thanks for replies re: smoking areas on Destiny.
Unfortunately having just returned (07/060 it is now more restricted.
No smoking in any of inside bars except small area of Oklahoma Lounge.
Needless to say this area became full by 9pm,some people giving up 2nd sitting dinner + shows in Can Can lounge so as to keep seat.
Also Casino has become No Smoking,as the only way of making profit on the ship i think Thomson will regret this,it was soulless.
Even Aft + Forward sunbathing decks were No Smokin (Outside !!!)though it was ok to be poisoned by fumes from funnel.
On last night instead of usual farewell deck party on a beautifull evening,show held inside lacking usual party atmosphere + alas no seats.
In letter from airport Thomson quoted upcoming legislation for reasons which is rubbish as dose not include cruise ships not UK regisered + sailing in international waters,unfortunatly have 2 more Thomson cruises booked on Celebration in September + April.I can compare this cruise with others as this was my 12 Thomson cruise + there was a total lack of atmosphere + fun.

Oh Dear !!
Johnny C

Hi
We have had info from Thomson saying the Captain's Dinner night is tux / suit & tie and cocktail wear for ladies.
Can anyone tell me if this is correct as I don't want to pack the posh gear if it never comes out of the suitcase!!
Thanks for your help

Hi scousechick and welcome to HT!

I have merged your post with an existing topic so you may find some useful information in earlier posts.

Re dressing up for the Captain's Cocktail party, most people make the effort on the formal nights so if you take the posh stuff you will definitely get a chance to wear it.

luci

hi all, i am going on the destiny for a week in october around the canary islands and after reading many reviews on the ship am slightly concerned to read that ship tends to pitch and roll quite a bit even in fairly calm sea. i wonder if anyone can comment on this. have previously sailed on spirit and celebration with no problems at all

Hi knaggsy and welcome to HT!

You may find some useful information for your cruise HERE

luci

Knaggsy

We had a week last October on Destiny in the Canaries with no problem at all. After the first night we heard a few people talking about the 'rough night' but it was nothing just a gentle rocking - in fact it got us off to sleep!! After that it was like the proverbial mill pond.

We are going on the Roman Epic Cruise on the Thomsom Destiny, visiting Toulon (for St Tropez), La Spezia (for Florence and Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome) Alghero (Sardinia) and Mahon (Minorca).
Are there any trips that are recommended at these ports of call or ones to avoid for that matter!!

I know some of the ship tours seem a little expensive sometimes but one thing worth considering is that if a ship tour runs late the ship would wait for the coach to return. If doing your own thing on a similar excursion and something goes wrong the ship won't wait for you!!

We have cruised on the Destiny twice before when it was the 'Sunbird' and are looking forward to sailing on her again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Doogie

We are sailing on 16th August on Roman Epic, we have previously sailed on Spirit where sail away party was 10pm, I have heard it is at 8pm on Destiny, is this true? Surely most people are dining at this time? Can anyone help.

We are going on the Destiny Jewels of the Med 9th Aug and would love to visit Capri. Can anyone tell me if the ship does a trip here or if i could diy . Thanks in advance . Anyone else on this cruise ??? Elaine