MallorcaChap

Hi sea2014,

Yes - great cruise - even Tangier if you have not been before - one visit there seems to be enough for most folk.

All the other ports are well worth visiting.

97 Views and not one comment Mr Mall Chap :D perhaps nobody is bothered. looks like our beloved ship is going to have a new lease of life I for one will be looking forward to whats new in April when we meet up on board.

 

Rebel Rouser :p

Same on FB - lot of comments but only 2 about the actual thread - heigh ho

Quote from TUI's AGM yesterday:-

"The five ships of the Thomson Cruises fleet, operating in the British market, are to be completely modernised in the next few years. At the same time, Thomson Cruises is to cooperate more closely with TUI Cruises. The goal is to expand TUI’s cruise activities so as to become a leading cruise operator in Europe in the foreseeable future."

Quote from TUI's AGM yesterday:-

"The five ships of the Thomson Cruises fleet, operating in the British market, are to be completely modernised in the next few years. At the same time, Thomson Cruises is to cooperate more closely with TUI Cruises. The goal is to expand TUI’s cruise activities so as to become a leading cruise operator in Europe in the foreseeable future."

Yes - completely agree.

 

On your return - You will be provided with a coloured label which is for Independent Travellers to attach to your cases and they will be stored in the quayside secure building until you decide to head for the airport - you can get to the case during the last day too and all the cases are kept in colour codes. Independent tend to use Black labels from memory.

 

On arrival - If you are arriving by taxi then the taxi needs to take you through the security gate at the port - if not you will have to walk a long way round with your cases and have the issue of explaining why you have no boarding card to the security staff. Thre is no way round this.

Showing security staff your eTicket will get you through with no problems - they are getting very strict as to what vehicles they let through the gates.

Hi we are going on the island escape on 21st October, going to do the Rome trip, if I do the full day trip, is the Vatican and cystine chapple included in this trip, and what do we wear, we don't want to show up and not get in because we are not dressed right, further more I don't fancy paying £90 each and we don't even see it, anyone any ideas please

Thanks

Muffinman & Wife :confused:

Hi Muffinman,

Rome is the same as everywhere else in Italy - if you are visiting places of worship, shoulders and knees MUST be covered. I have noticed over the past couple of years though that they are not being very strict about this in a lot of places, but they are at the Vatican.

You will get a message from the Administrators advising you that you are now a member. Be patient - a few of them are away this week.

Hi,

A limited number of late checkout cabins are available from 10am to 4pm at a cost of £35. Luggage can also be left securely in the Bounty Lounge from 8am to 4pm.

Hi. We are on island escape August 5 and our cabin in on deck 4.

Does anyone know if my GHD straighteners will work? I went on the island star about 7 years ago and the wouldn't warm up. Should I invest in dual voltage? Thanks for your help.

 

 

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Hi Jarvijt,

Most cabins have two electrical outlets - 110 volt American Flat pin and 220v European Round Pin. Many people (including us) take a short 4 way extension lead which with an adaptor plugs into the 2 pin European socket and then lets you plug in multiple items. :)

Peter

Due to sail next Tuesday (first time cruise) and was wondering if anyone has done this itinerary and if they have any tips or information on the ports. Have not booked any of the organised tours yet as we were just going to visit most places ourselves, unless there are any tours recommended.

 

Any information appreciated :)

Hi Cityshopper,

Souks and Sangria is a nice itinerary (we are on it next week as well for the 4th time I think).

Gibraltar is a lovely town, think British bobbys and red post boxes - you can get minibus tours just outside the port cheaper than the Thomson ones, well worth seeing the Rock and the monkeys.

Tangier isn't very nice, but if you have never been before it's an experience!!

Motril is new this year on the itinerary and really shouldn't be on it - it is a very dull sleepy Spanish Port with little to see. A trip from here to The Alhambra Palace is highly recommended.

Cartagena is a very pleasant town, although it is a shame the cruise always calls there on a Sunday when a lot of it is shut.

Lastly Valencia is a large city with lots to see, and there is a shuttle bus service that drops you off in the city centre (about 20 minutes from the port).

Join the FB group for lots more help.

Ekco - there are only hairdryers in the posh cabins up top :)

Where us plebs reside on deck 6 and below, you have to ask for one from reception.

Rebel is certainly correct about Motril (we were there together) - it should never have been added to the itinerary.

Apart from that, we have had a great week with great company and are looking forward to the next one (only 11 weeks i think) :o

And be very aware that pickpockets operate around the port - be very careful with your wallets/purses etc. especially near the shops.

Herr Kapitan clearly calls all his vessels the White Lady!

 

I don't like the sound of "just keep walking up the steps" :o My knees really don't like steps and steep hills! I might just get a taxi up to the Cathedral and get it to drop me at the shopping centre on the way back , then I can just walk down,,down is good!

 

You can't miss me either RR,,I'm larger than life too,,and you'll hear my Adypoos keep saying loudly,,NO Lexy,,you can't have another Bacardi yet:rolleyes: Really,,why not,,I'm on holidoodles and I'm 50 so shut up and go to the bar darling;) And if Dancing Queen is played at the sailaway party ,,or Agadoo,,or Gangnam,,I'm the one who doesn't quite know the dance but tries very hard!

I'm reasonably easy to spot - apart from the beautiful woman next to me (I have to say that on the off chance she might see this) I have beard, glasses and usually am the only one with a suntan before the cruise starts :)

We are out of East Midlands at 7am so should also be aboard by lunchtime:D We tried to find that shopping centre last year but I think we went the wrong way! We also said we'd meet Mr and Mrs Mallorca chap at 4pm on the sea day but it went wrong cos we had that change of itinerary didn't we MC:rolleyes: We need a plan B in case it happens again!

Cappers, we can always meet up for q quick snifter in the Pub at 4pm on the first day (just in case of another itinerary change) before the blasted lifeboat drill starts!

Hi Mickey Most,

All the public toilets on the IE have been refurbished in the past couple of years to a high standard. The cabins are OK considering their age, but I wouldn't say they were in a state of disrepair. The ship is 32 years old and is certainly showing its age, but it is run by the most amazing set of staff and crew - the show team are West End standard and on the last cruise of the season we went on last October, over 50% of the passengers were returnees (the winners of the champagne were on their 49th cruise on board!), which must say something about the quality on board.

I see the good ship is back in the water today after her time in dry dock - she must have a nice clean bottom now!

Thank you for that information RR. I liked Captain David but I am sure Captain Richard will take care of us and the IE. Do they change Captains every year, I got the impression that Captain David was the regular captain. I am new to this cruise lark so don't know how it all works but finding it interesting!

Logansmum,

Each cruise ship has two Captains that alternate, normally 3 months on then 3 months off - they are a lot luckier than most of the crew that do 8/9 months on in one go.

It's e-ticket time all round:D Just printed ours off! Can me and Mr Cappers be in your gang? :cool:

As long as you are a bit crackers you will fit in fine with the rest of us :)

Does this new man know how to be a Captain? Has he done it before?

Staff Captain is the new title for Assistant Captain - if you can see when docking, they are always both on the bridge. He will know what he is doing :)

Here you go LoagansMum.

 

1 of the captains >>. Captain Richard Watskin :D

I think you'll find he is Richard Watkins - he was Staff Captain last year

Thats great news Jenny Wren - it will be great to see you both again.

Greetings fellow cruisers :D how are we all :cool:

 

All we need now is Jengeoff to turn up and teh gang will be complete ;)

Now that would be a great cruise :)

I'm not jealous MC.....not much!! Hope you're both keeping well!:)

 

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Yes thanks Judy, we are both fine - hope you and John are as well - when is your next cruise?

Nice and warm here again today - has been 16 - 20 degrees for the last month and the sun is now as strong as the UK in August, so it is great to sit outside in. We have managed lunch outside just about every Saturday and Sunday since Christmas :)

At least the weather looks like it is warming up for you over the next week.

Definitely getting time for a holiday!!

I know, but it was weird though, yesterday she moved position to allow the provisions to be loaded from the dock side.

Both AIS and Marine Traffic show her in a dry dock now!