All about Discovery 2

Please share your experiences about Discovery 2.

We are flying from Cardiff on 5.35pm flight to Tenerife to pick up ship for Canaries cruise,Sailing at 11.59pm

Interested to hear how transfers work, whether we need to collect cases at airport ourselves or whether they will be transferred directly to cabin. Whether we'll miss Muster Drill, return transfers.

Also any information, from folk who have sailed on her, about ship will be gratefully received... standard of balcony cabins, meals, dress codes, entertainment, library, wi fi , children's club, shops etc etc.

How does Discovery 2 compare with Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean ?? (Again from those with direct experience please) (Understand this ship was formerly Royal Caribbean.)

Many thanks.

Please share your experiences about Discovery 2.

 

We are flying from Cardiff on 5.35pm flight to Tenerife to pick up ship for Canaries cruise,Sailing at 11.59pm

 

Interested to hear how transfers work, whether we need to collect cases at airport ourselves or whether they will be transferred directly to cabin. Whether we'll miss Muster Drill, return transfers.

 

Also any information, from folk who have sailed on her, about ship will be gratefully received... standard of balcony cabins, meals, dress codes, entertainment, library, wi fi , children's club, shops etc etc.

 

How does Discovery 2 compare with Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean ?? (Again from those with direct experience please) (Understand this ship was formerly Royal Caribbean.)

 

Many thanks.

We were on the TUI inaugural 2 week cruise on Discovery 2 in May and are sailing on her again next month from Tenerife. We have taken 10 cruises but all have been with Thomson/TUI so I cannot compare with other lines and I can't answer all your questions as we do 'cruise only' not a full package.

Do know that you will collect your luggage at the airport carousel then take it to the bus; on arrival at the port you take your cases to the luggage point and don't see it again until it is left outside your cabin.

The main muster drill took place at 5.30 p.m. in May so you will miss that but there is a drill for late arrivals in the theatre before departure.

You will be told what time your coach will leave for the airport a couple of days before the end of your cruise. On departure day your luggage has to be left outside your cabin by 2 a.m.; it is transferred to a secure area of the port and you collect it/take it to the coach at the time given for your departure. Hand luggage can be kept in your cabin until you have to vacate it at 8 a.m. and can be stored in the safe area on board (was Venue Bar in May) until you disembark. You can use all the ships facilities (All Inclusive drinks, restaurants etc.) until you are ready to set off for the airport. You can pay to keep a cabin longer but this won't necessarily be the one you have stayed in.

Dress code is more relaxed than on other Thomson ships and on most other cruise lines. The normal dinner requirement is long trousers for men in the waiter service venues (Restaurant 47, Gallery 47 or either of the speciality restaurants); shorts are fine in the buffet restaurant. Shorts are fine for Breakfast and lunch in Restaurant 47 (but no vest type T shirts). There is no 'Captains Dinner' as this has been replaced by a 'Dress To Impress' night rather than a formal dinner; it is a gathering in the Atrium Bar where the Captain introduces his senior staff whilst you have a glass of Bubbly. Many people wear normal 'smart casual' wear but others - like us - dress more formally with men in DJs for this night. We missed the formality/special menu of a Captains Dinner so booked one of the speciality restaurants that night in our second week. We ate in either 47 or Gallery 47 each evening - am afraid that buffets are not our cup of tea. Food was generally of a high standard with attentive service and we particualrly loved Gallery 47 (Italian); we had breakfast in 47 each morning where there is a good choice of waiter served hot dishes plus a help yourself central area with a wide range of cereals, fruits, breads, smoked salmon, cheeses, meats etc. The All Inclusive drinks package is good with a wide range of cocktails, branded spirits, and a choice of wines; we found no need to upgrade to the Premium package.

Entertainment was varied but - just our personal opinion - not quite as good as we have had on other Thomson ships; however by this I only mean the show content not the standard of the entertainment team which was first class. There are 2 shows in the theatre each evening - 8.30 and 10.30 p.m. - plus various musicians play around the ship; must mention a lunchtime classical music cabaret by the ACD which was absolutely superb. We found the 'library' poor but this is not tghe norm on Thomson ships so may have been due to ours being the first sailing under TUI colours and hopefully there may be more books to choose from by now. Not a great deal of choice in the shops - again better on other Thomson ships we have been on - but I did get a good deal on a watch.

Can't talk about the kids club but do know that everyone really rated these highly.

As with all Thomson/TUI ships, the crew - without exception - are superb and go out of their way to make your cruise amazing.

Hope this helps a bit. Despite some things being different to what we are used to, Discovery 2 is a lovely ship and takes Thomson/TUI cruising to a new level; we are really looking forward to being back onboard on 27th October.

Have a wonderful cruise

campolady

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Most interesting.

We are looking forward to this trip with family.

We sailed on her when she was Legend of the Seas on her last cruise with RCI. We boarded at Brisbane and left at Singapore. The ship was really lovely, the pools were very nice as was the outside cinema. (Don't know if they have kept that) We had a balcony cabin and it was quite spacious. The ship was easy to get around compared with some of the big ones that are in vogue these days. We were so impressed that we have booked a back to back on her next year doing the Caribbean and then back to the med. Hope you enjoy her loads.

Peter and Jenny

The ship was really lovely, the pools were very nice as was the outside cinema. (Don't know if they have kept that)

Yes, the outside cinema is still in use.

we sailed in october we are dimond members with rci and we think just as good if not better

We have cruised with all three and have just left Discovery 2 this morning after 1 week on board so are fairly well placed to comment.

We cruised on a similar class ship with RCI and would observe that the ship has been pretty much "Britishised" so much so that it felt a bit like little Britain at sea. If this is what floats your boat so to speak then you will love it.

Princess caters for a slightly more sophisticated clientele I would say and is slightly more formal. RCI caters for a more international clientele and is probably otherwise similar in class and lack of formality.

The food in the main restaurant in the evenings catered for British tastes and consistently met with expectations, including the Italian upper floor area. We didn't eat in any of the restaurants with a supplement so can't comment.

The staff are probably their greatest asset and did their work with a happy, can do attitude, and mostly in an efficient manner - bar service aside sometimes.

The ship is well kept and the entertainment team do a good job. We have never seen an on board show team worked so hard with shows every night and some performers doing extra sessions in some of the lounges.

We enjoyed our cruise - our first with Thomson after a gap of about 12 years (last on Emerald - now defunct) but would probably not rush back unless the price (and itinerary) was exceptional.

I think it has the British market "sussed" and the all inclusive drinks package was a benefit - no need or value to upgrade to premium in our opinion.

Our main gripe was the selfish reserving of sun beds by passengers and the fact that a group of older teenagers seemed to take over the indoor hot tubs and nightclub area - on other ships we have cruised on they would be excluded from those areas.

The latter is not a reflection of the ship unless you think they should reinforce adult only in certain areas but wouldn't likely be a problem out with school holidays.

I'm sure you chose the cruise with some knowledge of what was coming so I would say go on board with the aim of enjoying yourselves and I'm sure you will.

Del

Thanks for all of your comments.