Hi haven't been on that particular cruise but you shouldn't have any problems the dress code is very laid back you will find people who will dress formally every night and people who only seem to poses a pair of shorts and a T shirt, in the Lido buffet restaurant the only restriction is you can't go in in swimwear, The Orion restaurant long trousers are required (not sure if this would include jeans) The best eating place is the Sirens restaurant at the top of the ship this is buffet style for breakfast and lunch and then converts to the Grill at night when you have to pay a supplement but well worth it if you are celebrating anything again the dress is more formal but not black tie.
The Captain's cocktail party is nothing spectacular but gives you the opportunity to dress up and most do it wont be held on the first night but there will be plenty lively entertainment enjoy.
Don't know if my quirky video will help or not

http://youtu.be/lDM-_uaPl3g

ps the ship is being upgraded to platinum for later this year not sure how far the upgrade as got.

nickmacuk wrote:

Don't know if my quirky video will help or not

http://youtu.be/lDM-_uaPl3g

Thankyou, we are going in October, Platinum upgrade starts in December so will just miss it, shame as it's AI

We have done this Thomson cruise from Tenerife twice, although not on the Dream.

It should take around 45 mins max from airport to cruise ship so suggest that on arrival on board you should head off to get something to eat whilst waiting for luggage to arrive in cabin. Self service will do, no time to be posh on the first night.

There will be an on deck leaving party.

Dont think its necessary to pay for a lot of the trips anyway, most can be done quite easily DIY unless of course there is something you specifically want to see.

Gran Canaria, you dock almost in town so its easy to walk around the shops and town, theres a lovely beach there as well.

La Palma, again can walk into town, pretty, quiet place, nice easy walk round, then back to boat for food and sailaway.
Madeira, walkable into town and then its easy to take the cable car trip or the tobogganing thingy.

Agadir - now this is the one place you really need to take a booked excursion, the port is a dump and you wouldnt want to walk around it on your own, its miles from anywhere.
Can highly recommend the half day Thomson trip to Taroudant, its an interesting walled city thats quite fascinating - you feel you are back in time there!

Lanzarote - again you can walk round or choose a trip, I find it a bit boring in Arrecife so we went on the Thomson coach to a nearby resort , Playa Blanca I think and did our own thing until the coach picked us up again.

When you arrive back in Santa Cruz you can normally stay on deck right until your departure time, your on-board security pass is valid for most of your final day.
If you want a quick whizz around the capital there are open topped busses you can catch, or take the tram up to La Laguna.

No need to worry about doing most things on your own though - every day there are maps and information available on the place you are arriving at and these are available free from Reception on board, regardless of whether you have booked an excursion or not.

You can be casual every night in self service restaurant or just smart casual in dining room, ie decent trousers and top, no shorts.

Bit more dressing up involved for Captains night but you dont have to attend, plenty dont. Its not my scene and those clothes take up too much room in my case to warrant it!
Thomson entertainment usually top class so have a good time. Anything else, just ask.

Just caught this response. Thanks Vivien, what a detailed reply. Most people have said you dont need to take the on board excursions except for Morrocco. I was fancying doing the Marrakesh one, but its a 3.5 hour coach drive their and the same coming back with a four hour stop in the city!!!! The bus journey is putting me off that one. I did like the look of Taroudant though so may well choose that one.
What is the leaving party like? we dont set sail till midnight so with us arriving late its gonna be a bit of a rush for us all.

Leaving party on deck is ok, usually starts around 11.00pm, its just the Thomson entertainment team trying to get everyone in party mood, probably be standing room only when you arrive but that doesnt matter, you can stand and watch the action or have a bit of a dance.
I am a bit of a Thomson cruises fan I must admit and hope you enjoy yourselves.

Oh, I'll be there alright...

A quick question. When we visit Morrocco, will I have to cover up. Been looking at photos and most women who arnt wearing Burkhas have short sleeve tshirts and long shorts on. I usually go for the boob tube and a pair of short short look!!

Just one more thing.
Is there free wi-fi on board? For my teenage son and his ipad

I havent sailed on the Dream but on other Thomson ships there was only an internet cafe and charges were horrendous. Perhaps someone else can answer that question for you.
Cant really remember about dress code in Morocco, I know I had cut off pants on but I also covered my arms because it was too hot and I was burning, best thing is to ask the Thomson reps on board beforehand.
Forgot to say they dont bother about you bringing booze back on ship from offshore, we had a few wine bottles of our own in the cabin as a top up.

I don't know of any ship with free wifi and the charges as Vivien says are horrendous. However there are usually plenty of cafes and bars onshore with free wifi as long as you are having a drink there.

Be very careful using mobile data on smartphone while you are away as the charges can soon run into £100's unless you buy a bundle or cap it depending on your provider.

There is a previous topic on Thomson's Canarie cruise here which may have some information on ports.

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/forum/thomson-cruises-colourful-coasts-fortunate-isles-cruis-t11692.html?hilit=fortunate

And a topic on DIY excursions here

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/forum/diy-shore-excursions-canaries-and-lisbon-t143262.html

A quick question. When we visit Morrocco, will I have to cover up. Been looking at photos and most women who arnt wearing Burkhas have short sleeve tshirts and long shorts on. I usually go for the boob tube and a pair of short short look!!

I would definitely take something a bit less revealing for Morocco. I haven't been to Agadir, but have been to Casablanca. You may attract some unwanted attention to yourself (and your family) if your dress is too revealing. Especially if exploring independently. Also the trips may include visits to mosques or other places where modest dress is expected.
Then back on board you can cool off in your shorts!
Have a great time, and let us know how you get on- the canaries cruise is on my wish-list so hope to do it one day.
kate

luci HT Mod wrote:

There is a previous topic on Thomson's Canarie cruise here which may have some information on ports.

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/forum/thomson-cruises-colourful-coasts-fortunate-isles-cruis-t11692.html?hilit=fortunate

And a topic on DIY excursions here

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/forum/diy-shore-excursions-canaries-and-lisbon-t143262.html

Thanks for that....Morrocco doesnt sound that apealing aafter that read...

We have decided to either do the 4x4 day or Souk and Fantasia show. Really hate being hassled at markets and it sounds like most of these excursions take you to one!

I certainly wouldn't recommend any other places in Morocco as I said previously, that is why I recommended Taroudant.
Sorry but people are lumping all places together. It is a half day trip, you are not hassled as it is an escorted one and the guide is a local, you aren't taken to any churches etc and you feel quite safe - its nothing like going to one of the big places, which is exactly why we chose it.
Plenty of tourists around attracting no attention whatsoever. I found it quite fascinating and well worth the money. It is only quite compact but seeing how the locals live/work was really interesting ( and we saw the tree climbing goats on the way there and stopped in a gardens for lemon tea on the way back)
It was one of the best trips of the cruise for me and I'm a bit of a scaredy cat if I'm honest.

Vivien-Marie wrote:

I certainly wouldn't recommend any other places in Morocco as I said previously, that is why I recommended Taroudant. Sorry but people are lumping all places together. It is a half day trip, you are not hassled as it is an escorted one, you aren't taken to any churches etc and you feel quite safe - its nothing like going to one of the big places, which is exactly why we chose it. I found it quite fascinating and well worth the money. It is only quite compact but watching how the locals live was really interesting (oh and we saw the tree climbing goats on the way there and stopped in a gardens for lemon tea on the way back)

Thanks, think I'm gonna miss the 4x4 too, just been googling on you tube, dont fancy been stuck in a one of those for up to 8 hours!!!!
That sounds very relaxing Vivien but is it suitable for a 14 yearold boy??? He likes adventurous stuff...unless him and his dad to the 4x4 and I do Taroudant......

Should think it would be an eye opener for him - young men carefully mending an array of the tattiest bikes you could imagine, horses as usual form of transport, along with bikes of course, its just so interesting and a bit humbling really but not at all threatening.

Vivien-Marie wrote:

Should think it would be an eye opener for him - young men carefully mending an array of the tattiest bikes you could imagine, horses as usual form of transport, along with bikes of course, its just so interesting and a bit humbling really but not at all threatening.

Thanks Vivien, I think I'll tell him if we misss this 4x4 we'll do a one on one of the other islands.

Just a quick question about pol towels, can you hire them on board?

The pool towels are supplied free - they either leave them in your cabin or there is a container by side of pool where they are stored for you to help yourselves.

Thanks Vivien. I wondered if the hotel had pool towels too. I have sent them an e-mail but a week later am still waiting for a response. May hve tpo start a new post in the Tenerife forum...