Just read the same thing on Holiday Watchdog. We are due to go on the Destiny in November (Canary Island cruise). If we like the boat we may think about that next year! We've only ever been on the Topaz, and we enjoyed it (although cabin was old/basic). I'm not expecting too much from the Destiny, so hoping we'll like it.

Wonder if they'll do AI in the Caribbean, and also if they'll do flights from Scotland.....could be a deciding factor for me also.

My thoughts would be that this will be a charter flight and I would never do this. I would always want a scheduled flight with the best leg room possible.
Just my view.

Sue

I never actually thought on that. Perhaps they would have extra legroom flights for the transatlantic flights like some other airlines do. Our flight to greece the other week with Thomas Cook was awful - no space at all!

That is really good to hear I would definatley be interested in that itinary.

Where can i read about it?

Yes they may have extra leg room seats. I don't know about that but you will pay a premium. My other thoughts on this is that with a Charter if it has a problem then you may have to wait on another aircraft or for it to be repaired.

Do look also at other options for the Caribbean as the US folks all now want to do Europe Australia for eg and are leaving the Caribbean for further afield. You will find that it is cheaper to cruise in the Caribbean than it is to do so in the Med with the US cruise lines. Get yourself on some of the Travel Agents mailing lists email etc and look out for those offers. often there will be an early booking discount or if the prices tumble then with these companies you can get this reduction not so with the Package Companies in this country.

You have plenty of time and if you have the time to look at the internet or at cruise companies prices then you will know when to jump. Always worked for me. Don't think I have ever paid over the odds and have had money paid back or have noted when the prices drop. There are a lot of ships out there and it is alll about putting bottoms on beds.

Watch however for doing BTB on 4-5 night Caribbean they are often filled with people who just want to drink and party and they will change on each cruise. There are plenty of 11-12-13 nights out there. Also great value are repositioning cruises such as through Panama for the winter and likewise in the spring leaving Caribbean for Mexico for the summer.

Good luck just a few of my thoughts

Sue

We did a caribbean charter with Princess and the leg room is fine the new 33" charters are better than some regular airlines. and service was good enough, better than some regular flight I have had.

I would look at the Thomson prices carefully there are some good deals allready in the caribbean so compare with the other offerings.

The other thing with the cruise ship charter is the ship will wait or they organise alternative if delays.

If you ar einterested just take a look at their website:

http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/features/cruise/caribbean-cruises.html

I have only cruised with Thomsons but as others have said it may be worth looking elsewhere before taking the plunge.

I have just phoned my local thomsons shop about the caribbean itineries. They cannot beat the prices quoted on theit internet site but will match it. I havent been to caribbean before. but been on the destiny. I would rather go the first time on a ship I know is good, (the destiny) . However I cant decide which of the two itineries to do, Caribbean Gems, which visits smaller islands or Coral Islands which takes in Barbados and St Lucia. Can anyone who has been advise me please? ( I have kids aged 16, 12 and 11.)

Thomson's are doing two itineraries from the Dom Rep on the Thomson Destiny from, 21 December till 19 April. Prices start from £779 for 7 nights and from £1149 for 14 nights doing both itineraries.

Coral Islands: Dom Rep - St Lucia - Barbados - Guadeloupe - St Kitts - Tortola - Dom Rep

Caribbean Gems: Dom Rep - Grenada - Dominica - Antigua - St Maarten - Tortola - Dom Rep

Flights for 7 and 14 nights are from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester. Regional departures for 14 nights only are from Newcastle, Glasgow, Bournemouth, Cardiff and Stansted.

luci

we are thinking of booking the Coral Islands one for Feb 2009
£2,700 for 2 ad 2 ch.the dates are fab as we need half term week

a few of you have said to look elsewhere too,any recommendations ?

I have taken the plunge and booked the Carribean Gems cruise for April 2009. Talk about book in advance . We have got two cabins together and free AI upgrade. The dates fall right in the easter hols so that was my deciding factor! Does anyone know when the shore excursions will be decided? The rep in Thomspns was not sure.

I have taken the plunge and booked the Carribean Gems cruise for April 2009. Talk about book in advance . We have got two cabins together and free AI upgrade. The dates fall right in the easter hols so that was my deciding factor! Does anyone know when the shore excursions will be decided? The rep in Thomspns was not sure.

thats fab
think we are going to go ahead and book too,not seen anything as reasonable or the dates we want

did you book direct ?? how did you get the AI upgrade ?

Rach

we have taken the plunge! and booked Coral Islands for Feb half term 2009

got the AI upgrade too

soooooooooooooo excited

Congratulations! Not long to wait now.

luci

gives us something to look forward to i guess when feeling peed off

its a joint 30th bday / 5th wedding anniversary holiday

I've booked too! Jan 11th 2009 - I couldn't choose between the 2 itineraries - so doing both for 14 nights!!

Rachel.

I've booked too! Jan 11th 2009 - I couldn't choose between the 2 itineraries - so doing both for 14 nights!!

show off

you lucky thing !

we would have loved to do that,but dont want to take the boys out of school

so we are going in half term week

Well done you two! I will await your reviews with great excitement! Still no details of shore excursions as far as I know.. my ideal one is to swim with dolphins. I know there is a dolphin discovery in Tortola. This can be booked direct, but hoping Thomson's will have this on their list.
Seems such a long time to wait.

Seems such a long time to wait

I know

i cant wait til Feb 08 then at least it will be less than a yr to go