Taken from the cruise news July 'Smoking is no permitted on Thomson Spirit except in the designated smoking areas

Raffles Bar & Casino
High Spirits
Open Decks'

Hi - we are on board as I write and there were several ship tours offered on embarkation day!

Gill

ps - having a great time - its our 2nd time on board and its as good as we remembered it!

Hi Johnny C,

You are right. The smoking policy has changed. On arrival you will be given a note of all the changes, which are this

1) Horizons, was smoking ,now NO smoking anywhere, just like Explorers lounge. It is now very much quieter as you would expect ( Ruined it in my opinion, used to go there every day, in July when we were there last, we only popped in once just to see who was on duty this time, we have been on the Spirit 8 times now and know quite a lot of the staff, our next trip will be on the 8th Sept)

2) Raffles Bar. Much the same as usual, the Cigar cabinets have migrated there from Horizons, but there are no extra tables.

3) High Spirits Bar As you face the stage, the area to your left has about four or five rows of tables and that is your lot, needless to say this is always jam packed

4) Every other bar, Show lounge, Mezanine etc no smoking, plus now there is NO smoking when standing or seated at any actual bar area.

These are the designated areas, no smoking elsewhere, all the ash trays ,( the ones fixed to the walls in the corridors and at the Lift areas have been removed ) In the note it also said " I is with reluctance that we are still allowing smoking in the cabins, but would prefer you not to. "

On the Celebration there are no ash trays provided in the cabins, but the stewardess will provide one but you have to ask.

So you can see what the future trend is going to be

You can however smoke outside on deck, ash trays are still provide on the rails, and the outside Lido area still has ashtrays provided on the tables, much as before.

The other big change we noticed was the much greater emphasis on hand hygene in the self service Lido with hand sprays and wipes provided, and when we were on, all food was served by staff, except tea/coffee etc, you got used to it but it was not so convenient, and at busy times there was a bit of waiting. I have heard that this has changed back again ( they were using too much food ) but the passenger hand hygene is the same.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Natty B ( Ex Nat* )

Yes there are guided tours. I feel sure you will have a great time. If you get the chance could you say hello to Alice(Bell), Gareth(Cole), Sean, and Paul, from "the Twins", and we will see them again soon ( about 6 wks 8th Sept ) and also if you would, let Gareth know the HT URL is back to its normal one.

Thanks, and regards to Hil

Dave

Hi Dave...looking forward to our next cruise. Will pass on your regards to the gang. Being a non smoker ( not smoked for 20 years now) I must admit that I didn't like the fog that envelopped us on the Destiny. So for me ,I am pleased that smoking is no longer allowed by the seats outside the lifts and in the communal areas. Lucky twins...off again soon. Is that the adults only cruise?

Hi Dave
Thanks for info regards smoking areas on Spirit,this suits me fine as i really don't do the shows (after 11 cruises all much of the same)Pity about Horizons though,nice for relaxed drink after dinner.
Yes,Raffles + High Spirits seem same as last year.
Walked past Explorers every day + although pianist playing never saw more than 10 people in there,although must be over 100 seats.
Just reading Ocean Village brochure for next year + smoking policy states awaiting government law change,didn't know OV was in England !!! give that a miss i think.
Handing out hand wipes on Destiny in May but number of people who refused one was unbelievable.
On Spirit 6th Oct,,10 of us,only 2 smoke.we will sit with them no problem.
Just believe both sides should be catered for.
Thanks,,,John C

Can anybody tell me about the laundry facilities please. Is it free? If not how much and what coins. Do you have to bring your own washing powder etc. Are there tumble dryers? We were on the Destiny last year with no laundry facilities so I hope to take less clothes this time and wash and wear

pound coins hbrac but not sure how many its cheap tho and there are dryers i believe

Thanks Laine. As usual I will be doing the laundry
BTW..Happy Birthday. Hope you enjoyed your cruise and hope Lou is well.

Have just returned from our 2 week cruise and it was as good as ever.

To answer the laundry question, you buy tokens from reception for the washing machine - can't remember how much, but only a couple of quid I think - washing liquid is provided and the dryer is free.

A new cruise director arrived on board as we did and I'd be interested to know what anyone thinks of him - he seems a nice man, but just not what I expect of a cruise director as he can't really take part in the shows, except for when they need a 'crooner' type singer.

All the staff were great, as usual, as was the food and entertainment.

It was our most relaxing cruise yet, as we had already done most of the ports of call, so didn't bother with any trips and had a lie in instead then wandered round whichever port for a couple of hours, back on board for lunch then cocktails round the pool in the afternoon!

Bliss!!

Gill

Thanks for that Gill. I had just bought some aeriel sachets to take but I think I won't bother now.
Who was the cruise director ? We had Richard Sykes last year on the Destiny.
We are doing a 2 week back to back Med cruise again with only 2 ports the same as last year. We are not great excursion people and I had to laugh because we do the same as you. A quick shufty round the port shops, markets etc then back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon sunbathing with a Strawberry Daiquiri in our hand.

Just been reading the reviews and note that the Spirit is to be relocated next year? Anybody have any more details?

Hi Hil,

As far as I know the Spirit will be doing the UK run from Harwich, Newcastle etc replacing the Celebration, cruising round the scandinavian ports.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks Dave. That's the one Curley Shirley has just got back from.

hi hbrac, have a lovely lovely time, and dont forget we want to know all about it when you get back, love to alice paul n gareth and gareth if your looking in .... mwah

Will do Laine

I have booked a Baltic treasure cruise on the thomson spirit, can anyone give me an idea of what to expect as I havnt cruised before.
Also does anyone have any advice on St Petersburg, i understand that I need a visa to enter as a tourist or is it worth going on the thomson excursion where the group visa covers you (how much does it cost)

Hi Justinep and welcome to HT!

I have merged your post with a topic already running on the Spirit. You should find some useful information in earlier posts, such as price of drinks, etc.

We also have a topic DIY Excursions - Baltic Area, one on Baltic Cruises and another you may find useful is New to Cruising

I suggest you set aside a couple of hours with a cup of coffee to plough through that lot!

HTH

luci

Hi again- new cruise director is called David Lawton.

Re next year - the ship is actually going into dry docks after this season - (don't know if its for a refurb or just a 'service??).

hbrac - i preferred a tequila sunrise!!! I remember Richard from a couple of years ago when I think he was an assistant cruise director - and a very good one at that!!

Gill