lexie1968

We are looking at doing this cruise also. Have asked a few questions on the facebook page. Is it likely to get any cheaper?

It was serve yourself all week in the buffet.

I agree about the shortage of drinks waiters, especially in the lido area, usually around lunchtime.

I love the caribbean but having done it twice now, think we will give it a miss next year.

There was no infection worries, the doctor said it was probably something my partner ate.

Hello everyone! We arrived home yesterday morning after a week in the Caribbean on the Celebration, and we had a wonderful time.

Heres a quick review....

Check in at manchester was quick, fast track through security no problems. We had an old thomsons plane, not dreamliner and we found it very uncomfortable, seats very narrow, and very noisy! Complimentary drinks were off a menu, not a great choice but adequate. Food was fine. It only took about 8 hours and i slept most of the way so that was good!

Transfer straight to ship was great, check in at port was quick and efficient. We had been on the Celebration before so knew what to expect. It was first time we had booked an outside cabin, it was an l shape bed setup, which suited us just fine, seemed more space. It was deck 4 cabin number 340, near to the front. We found it very comfortable, not noisy except when manouvering. Our cabin steward was Leah and she was great, very friendly, did an excellent job cleaning the cabin. Im not sure ill bother with an outside cabin again, unless i get a good price on the cruise.

The food was good all week, good choice, hot, both in the buffet and the Meridian. Service was good, a little slow on drinks at busy times, but nothing to complain about.

I was disappointed with the shows....we had seen them all, and only watched one. I didnt think this paticular show team were as good as some in the past, maybe because they were new. The singers werent very strong i felt. The comedian was ok, im not really a comedian person, but he was on 2 nights which i felt was a bit of a cop out.

We did a few quizes, listened to The Peakles quite a lot, and generally spent our evenings with friends.

And so to our ports of call....

St Barths....we had a wander round Gustavia, then spent a couple of hours on Shell beach, which was nice, but the beach shelves quickly into the sea which wasnt good for me. Unfortunately although it was very hot, it was mainly cloudy, and around 2ish it absolutely poured down for at least half an hour! The sea was quite rough and as it was a tender port, we had an interesting transfer! I wouldnt rush back to St Barths.

St Maarten...our 2nd time here and we love it! It was very hot and sunny today. We had a wander then got a taxi to Maho beach to watch the planes...great fun!

St Kitts...2nd time here, already done an island tour so decided to go to a beach...Shipwreck bar at South Friars Beach. Loved it, very rough and ready, nice sea. Weather was ok, hot but a bit cloudy.

Antigua.....the one place i was desperate to see, but unfortunately my partner had a bad stomach and we were confined to cabin for 24 hours! Very disappointed!

Dominica....rained all morning and couldnt get off ship. Stopped around lunchtime and we took a local taxi with another couple on a short island tour. We loved it, so beautiful. The town was nice too. Would love to come back.

The journey home was fine, transfer to airport efficient, plane still cramped, a bit of a nightmare driving home in rush hour traffic with major accidents causing holdups.

So all in all a great holiday, and we are now looking forward to something next summer in the med!

Thanks Geo, you are definately my go-to man for the caribbean! ;)

2 questions...can anyone recommend a nice beach on St Kitts?

Also, are caribbean taxis mini buses or cars, and would you leave a tip at the end?

Thanks x

Thanks Terry, it will suit us fine as my other half doesnt like getting sand everywhere! :)

For anyone going on this cruise, theres a few of us chatting on another website if anyone wants to join us? (Not sure I'm allowed to mention it?)

Thanks for the info, it sounds lovely and I think we will be visiting shell beach!

Was just reading through old posts and saw this one. Id read on Thomsons latest news that they hope to have more dreamliners for winter 2014/15. Someone mentioned on facebook that their plane had been changed for dec and the seating changed. We fly out to barbados on 30th nov and there was 2 flights to chose from, a 9.15am and 10.15am. We chose the earlier as the package was cheaper. No mention of dreamliner. Im a bit worried now that our plane will be changed and we wont get the seats we booked. However if it is a dreamliner we will be happy as we loved it last time we went on it! Just wish i knew! :)

I like the sound of this beach Geo, so if we do get there ill update you on any developments! :)

How long should we allow at Nelsons Dockyard? Do you have to pay to get in? And any suggestions on a nice beach for a couple of hoyrs chilling? Not busy, but with facilities? Thanks x

We are really looking forward to seeing Antigua in December, but wondered if we would have time to go to Nelsons Dockyard and spend sometime on a beach. Is it a big island, or are things close together? And would a taxi wait for us/ come back for us?

Hi Heather, i dont know the cover charges but just thought id say hello as we are going on the same cruise. We are very excited, especially as its not so long now!

Just doing a bit of research but cant find much about St Barths. Anyone been and got any thoughts? :)

Hi, we are not big drinkers, we usually have a few cocktails on an evening, soft drinks during the day, maybe a glass of wine with dinner, and we dont usually spend more than £300 in a week for the 2 of us.

Hope this helps x

Ive just booked a week in the caribbean for me and the other half. It will be our 3rd cruise, 2nd in the caribbean. We loved it so much last january we had to go back, and this was such a good price! Ports of call are St Barths, St Maarten, St Kitts, Antigua, Dominica and back to Barbados. Been reading up on everyones fav ports and things to do in each, so thanks for the info. We've been to St Maartens and St Kitts, but the rest are new. We are so excited! :)

"she will have a great holiday and not to worry! " . Not having a go at you, but how are you able to guarantee this , some first time cruisers love it , some say never again. The best way to find out if you like cruising is to try a mini cruise , not rely on poster saying you WILL have a great holiday . I caravan for six months in Spain but I would not tell you buy a van and a suitable tow car and I know you will love it.

It seems whatever i say Norfolklad you wont be happy so im done. And actually my ex and i had a van and took it all over and loved it. Unfortunately it had to go when we split and my OH now wont entertain it much to my disgust lol. I have to admit that towing the van scared me to death! You never know, one day i may persuade the OH, until then its life on the ocean wave :)

I cant find any comment on here where anyone was accused of being a moaner?

 

the comment was

 

'lifes is too short to be moaning & groaning' that was an extrapolation on life...not an accusation directed at 'people'

Thanks Geo, i most certainly was not accusing anyone of been a moaner! I was trying to reassure the original poster that she will have a great holiday and not to worry! As for facebook, some people are fans, some are not, nothing wrong with that.

I actually take offence that after my post i have numerous people jumping down my throat! It makes me nervous to express my opinion again!

As Norfolklad says, expressing your opinion is what the forums are for!

I will follow these postings with interest, but will not be posting on this subject again as I will not be cruising again with Thomsons again as I do not agree with the policy of reducing standards then charging guests to have the standard of cruise they were expecting . Off to Spain in my Touring caravan for six months, sunshine, no surcharges, my own sunbed , great food cooked as I like it , no hand gel, no winter vomiting precautions , do my own excursions Bliss !!!

Im entitled to my opinion as much as you are Norfolklad. Enjoy your caravan!

I used the facebook site before we went on the Dream, and found if so depressing i had to leave. I was worrying myself silly over all the negativity. Anyway we had a fabulous time and as you all know we are now hooked on this fabulous way to holiday! There are 1400 people onboard ths Dream each time she sails, and only a handful use the forums and facebook. Yes there are some issues Thomson need to address, but none of which spoil the holiday.....unless you let them. As for the theft, it can happen anywhere, and just cos you are on a cruise doesnt mean there arent some people about who like other peoples property!

Life is far too short to be moaning and groaning, instead we should be grateful for everything we have and make the most of each moment,.

And so ends todays sermon...........;)

Geo, you are so funny!

I wish these posts had a "like" button, cos i love geos comment about the fish!

Anyway, all i can say is if you go looking for things to criticise, then your a very sad person who is wasting their money!

Welcome to the forum Mark. Dont be nervous, you will love it! We went on our first cruise in january on the dream in the caribbean and had a fantastic time! Everyone has different views on what they want from a holiday, but go with an open mind, dont go expecting things to be wrong. We are hooked and are going on a canaries cruise in april.

Have a read through the different threads on the forum to get an idea of what to expect, and start feeling excited!