Have booked the Canary islands for 10th Nov.Its our first cruise.Any other first timers on this one?

sadram- it is certainly possible (and quite easy) to do monaco and rome on your own as there is a direct train from the ports to the cities. If you haven't been before to either of these places I would strongly advise getting a good guide book, and having a plan of what you would like to see. On your own you probably won't see as much as with a guided trip, but it is certainly cheaper.
In Civitavecchia- you take the shuttle bus to the port entrance, then turn right and walk with the sea to your right along the main road for about 500 yards. As the road branches, it is better if you walk on the opposite side of the street to the promenade, and just keep on that pavement until you come to the station. If you are getting off at the main Termini station, it is a long walk to the main entrance where the buses and metro stations are ( and back to the train when returning). However there is a side entrance close to the track, and there is a taxi rank outside there.
Villefranche is a tender port, so get off the tender boat and again walk with the sea on your right (about 200 yards). Just after the last bar/restaurant there are steps up to the station, which is above the beach.

we did the med renaissance last october-same itinerary!
monaco- we did ourselves, 5 euros return on the local train(where staion is just 10 or so mins walk after your tendor trip to shore), took us there, brill, saw all of monte carlo , alot cheaper to do this one this way than the excursions.
we only paid for pisa excursion + rome as these are further away to do independantly.
you dont have to book the full excursion in these 2 either, they offered one which was simply coach transfer to the centre of these places + you are given a meeting point and time for the return coach, so it was affordable way to get to the places that you may not feel so comfortable doing completely independentely.
corsica-you can walk off-shore and catch a little tourist train along the coastline.
mahon-we just walked off-shore to the town.
have a fab time! its a lovely itinerary.

just like to thank you both for your very helpful information,

cheers sadram

Thinking of booking the Destiny next May.not sure on Jewels of Med or Moorish Delights
Can anybody tell me if there is an excursion from Casablanca to Marracech,The destiny docks 07:00 to 21:00 seems a long time + only a city tour.
Went in 2000 on the Topaz (great ship) +it didn't go then,
After 10 Thomson cruises i'm thinking Moorish Delights as it includes Tangiers + never been.
P.S If anybody on Spirit on 6th October i'm the one renewing vows
Thanks

Hi pipefitter
We are booked for canaries on the 17th nov. Are you doing a week or two??
If one we will just miss you but if two maybe we will see you there.

Kerrie

We are off to the Canaries for New Year, would appreciate any feed back on ports of calll. Thanks.

HI everyone, just booked the destiny, whats the score for tipping?
do you recommend the early or late sitting.
Thanks Mike

Hi Mike

When we went on the spirit last year we tipped at the end of the hols, Waiters in the restaurant and cabin crew. Cant remember how much though.
Thomson say the tips are included but we felt the waiters at dinner and the cabin stewardess did an exellent job and thought they deserved extra.

We are also going on the destiny this year and we cant decide which sitting to go for either We did the late sitting on the spirit because we mainly DIY'd going ashore so we didnt want to be rushing back, But i think we missed out on alot of entertainment (quizzes,game shows and live cabaret acts) because by the time we had eaten and made our way to the main show lounge the people who had the early seating had watched the big shows and then went to the high spirits lounge ( will be the Oklahoma lounge on the destiny) to catch everything else.
So we too are in abit of a pickle with this one. The upside to the early sitting is catching all of the shows and entertainment but the down side is rushing back to get ready for dinner and also feeling very bloated (this interferes with my drinking ability )
Anyone else who could give us some tips on the best time to be seated would be great.
Kerrie
Ps Dont say eat less as this is impossible on a thomson cruise (food is fab) Eating and drinking I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Hubby does too

Kerrie,

Not going until 07 but also am faced with the dilema- early or late sitting??
When we were on the Celebration we had no fixed sitting and could eat at what time we wanted

Will you eat in the restaurant each night or fluctuate between the self service one too!!

Like you say food and drink plays an important role on the Thomson cruises

Did read somewhere back in this thread, that if you want to alter the sitting you can

Hi Helo

You may find some useful information on the Canaries cruise in THIS TOPIC

luci

Thanks Luci for the link i will go and have a nose

Sunseeker. when we went on the spirit we dined in the restaurant every night apart from the first as we didnt board until 10pm
After that it was the compass rose for us. It made it that little bit special.
I think we will defo be doing it again and we board the ship early this time so it will be the whole week. As for what sitting i still have not got a clue.
We ate in the lido for breakfast and lunch and all the other times you seem to stuff your face ( it seemed to be none stop eating ) but i might try having a day of breakfast or lunch at the restaurant too.
Can anyone tell me the dress code for breakfast and lunch in the seven seas please??

Hope you have a brilliant cruise sunseeker and everyone else traveling on the destiny. Let me know what you decide on the early or late sitting please. Pro's and con's would be great.
Kerrie

Kerrie, when we went on the Celebration, we ate in the restaurant a couple of times for breakfast.
It was very well presented too.
The dress code was generally what you planned to wear for the day. For an example- a denim skirt and top will be fine. Just casual

Alsbaby we will miss each other, we are only going for the week.
A question for other smokers.As our cruise includes Madiera,can I bring back my full allowance of cigs from there,even though the canaries are included in our cruise.

If you are flying straight back from Tenerife and not staying there after the cruise, then you can take back the full EU allowance from Madeira. Just make sure you keep the receipt to prove they were bought EU duty paid.

I actually called HM Customs and Excise to have this confirmed and they gave me a refererence number incase I had any problems so you may wish to give them a call yourself.

luci

Pipefitter thats a shame that hubby and i will miss you,as its always nice to meet new people.

Sunseeker I think i best take a few skirts with me as i normally wear shorts but i suppose its a matter of dont take the were casual is concerned

Which did you favour for breakfast restaurant or lido
Did you dine in the restaurant for lunch at any point?? If so what was that like?? I am assuming that the clothes worn for breakfast would be the same for lunch ( or they would have to up the luggage allowance )

Kerrie

Don't worry Kerrie, you will be fine with shorts in the restaurant at breakfast and lunch, just not at dinner.

luci

Thanks Luci
Thats the only thing that stopped my from sometimes dining in the restaurant at breakfast and lunch as i thought it had to be long trousers for men and smart casual for women.

I will defo give the restaurant a try now.

Thanks again Luci
Kerrie

A few posts back, someone asked why there was only a city tour to Marrakesh offered when the ship was berthed in Casablanca all day. It is at least 4 hours coach travel each way to Marrakesh - the scenery is beautiful and interesting (and you'll probably have a coffee stop en route too).

If you are in Casablanca, your city tour will include the big mosque - headscarves are not needed for ladies, as you will not be going during services. The centre is commercial and perhaps worth an explore if you are not going anywhere else in Morocco, but 'Rick's' Casablanca it ain't!