Adriatic Explorer and Aegean Cruises June 09

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Adriatic Explorer and Aegean Cruises June 09
Reviewed By: Pickersgill, Gateshead on 23rd Jun 2009
Cruise Line: Thomson Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Thomson Celebration	Sailed: June, 2009
Destination: Adriatic	Age: 56-65

Our party of 4 adults flew from Newcastle to Corfu to join 14 day cruise, Adriatic Explorer and Pearls of the Aegean. At Corfu airport we were given the appropriate cabin number stickers for our luggage and joined the coach for a 30 minute journey to the Port. The registration of card details was very efficient at the port terminal and we decided to walk the 10 minute journey to the ship instead of using the complimentary coach. We were shown to our Deluxe cabin on Deck 6 (Promenade Deck) where there was plenty wardrobe and drawer space and the bathroom had a shower above the bath which was a reasonable size. We sailed on Friday evening and spent all day on Saturday at sea. It was noticeable that there were insufficient loungers or chairs for all passengers who wanted to be on deck at this time. This was not helped by the inconsiderate few who decided that they required a lounger in the sun and also a chair in the shade or two chairs, one to sit on and the other to put their feet on. A lot of passengers were deprived of a lounger or chair because of this on deck 6 adjacent to Liberties. The ports of call were Koper which is the oldest town in Slovenia. It is a commercial and tourist city and there are a number of interesting things to see including the Cathedral, Bell Tower and Praetorian Palace. Next was Venice and we took a water bus from the stop adjacent to the where the ship had berthed to St Mark's Square. We had coffee in Florian's in St Mark's Square (38 euros for 4) and people watched whilst a classical quartet played music. Next day was Split in Croatia by tender and I became separated from the other 3 in my party as they managed to get a tender and I had to go on the next one. Had a walk around the centre and coffee in main area and people watched again. Interesting ancient buildings and streets and markets. Dubrovnik was next and we berthed at the new pier and walked to the centre which was a mistake as it was hard going in the heat. Once again we had a walk around and coffee. I had intended doing a walk around the ancient walls but decided it was too hot for this. It was noticable that Euros were accepted almost everywhere and we needn't have changed some of our money into Kuna. We got a taxi near Pile Gate back to the ship for 10 euros. Scenic views on the early morning approach to Kotor in Montenegro through the fjord. It is an interesting medieval walled city surrounded by mountains and set on one of Europe's deepest fjords and a natural harbour. We enjoyed walking inside the walls through the cobbled narrow streets finding some shade and taking in the ancient buildings. We returned to Corfu on Friday 12th and got a taxi to the old town had a walk around, bought leather belts for 2.50 euros each and had the usual coffee. Saturday was a day at sea trying to find a vacant lounger or chair in the shade. Next stop was Aghios Nikolaos in Crete where we walked around the town. Lots of leather goods and ceramics on sale here as well as jewellery although some shops were closed. Monday was Kusadasi in Turkey and the town is through the port terminal. I took a half day (4 hours and £36) trip to Ephesus and House of Mary. Journey time was 40 mins each way. Walking through the Ephesus site in the heat and uneven ground was difficult for some of the less mobile but the sights were really something. House of Mary was close to the Ephesus site and had a cafe and shade at the site and little walking was involved. I understand that lots of hassle can be expected from the traders in the town and some people returned to the ship because they were getting sick of it. Tuesday was supposed to be a visit to Santorini but because of weather conditions this was cancelled and we had a day at sea. Wednesday 16th June at Piraeus, Greece where because of a national strike by guides, coach trips to Athens were without guides providing commentary or information. Piraeus was very busy and crossing roads was dangerous at times so we returned to the ship after 20 minutes walking around. Katakolon, Greece is a small port with a number of tavernas and shops and close to the original Olympic Games site of Olympia. Other ships were in so plenty of pedestrians in the streets. Leather goods, ceramics and jewellery were popular. Friday was back to Corfu and to the airport for the flight home. There were a few short tempers on display at the airport as the small departure terminal attempted to cope with the infux of intending passengers and there were queues outside the building. The Thomson staff dealt well in the circumstances. As far as the onboard activities are concerned there was always something to do. We spent most evenings after dinner in either Horizons Bar or Hemmingway's Bar where the service was excellent most times. We went to the Broadway Show Lounge and saw Simon Abbotts the Tom Jones tribute act and he was good. Sunday Night Live on the first week had comedian Taffy Spencer who was good as was Dave Kristian on the second week. The Crew Show was excellent with performances matching if not exceeding some of the regular showteam. We ate in The Meridian Restaurant for breakfast and dinner and lunch twice and used Lido Restaurant for lunch the remaining times. Waiter service was excellent in Meridian as were the choice of meals and the standard. We also ate in Zilli's on two nights for a supplement which was worth it. Captain's Corner - Captain Roy Dearman had an informal chat and question and answer session one afternoon and his life at sea has certainly been interesting and eventful. As far as I and my family are concerned the ports of call lived up to expectations as did our time on board. It's unfortunate that we missed Santorini which was one of the main reasons we chose this cruise. We think that Thomson cruises suit us and are value for money. We will be sailing with them again next year hopefully.
Quality of Food
Ate all sorts in Lido, Meridian & Zilli's.
Entertainment
Michael on piano in Horizons Bar was good as were the 2 comedians and the crew show.
Shore Excursions
Only went on 1 organised excursion to Ephesus which was enjoyable.
Staff
Cabin steward, waiters in Meridian, Zilli's and Horizons Bar all excellent.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Plenty of choice to suit most tastes.
Cabins
Yes as big and comfortable as we needed and expected.
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Agree Comment by davis, basildon (03 Jul 09 19:21) about this REVIEW

Regards the 45 min ticket system,one day we had 2 steamer chairs on the promenade,we left our things on them to go for lunch on the Lido deck,now my wife is disabled so we had to go down via the lifts around the long way to the lido,which obvously takes longer than for able bodied people,so after lunch which was about 40 mins overall we went back to our chairs to find one of those tickets on it,the waiter who put it on there heard me say' we have only been to lunch for christs sake!' I put the ticket down on the foot of my seat and he came and picked it up without saying any thing. yet earlier in the cruise we saw that a party of people had left all their swimwear gear etc on a table and 4 chairs and also they were lying on 4 sunbeds as well, nothing said.

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Butler, wirral (25 Jun 09 14:53) about this REVIEW

We too like your party thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this cruise apart from the seating situation. Thomson really need to address this. Did you notice that sometimes 45 minute warning tickets were issued by the deck stewards. Apparently so many people complained about this that later in the cruise the stewards were told not to issue the tickets! Some people are unbelievably selfish wanting to take part in other activities for a couple of hours or so and then coming back to the chairs only to collect their belongings! Otherwise an absolutely FAB time!

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Comment by Pickersgill, Gateshead (25 Jun 09 15:50) about a COMMENT by Butler (25 Jun 09 14:53)

Regarding the 45 minute warning ticket situation, 2 of our party of 4 had tickets issued on Promenade Deck with the 45 minute warning when they had left to go for lunch in Lido and fortunately they returned within the 45 minutes (just). I'm not sure what the answer is. One morning I was sitting on Promenade Deck and my family were eleswhere on the ship and I had to ask a nearby passenger to keep my chair as I went to the toilet as any seats left unattended for a second had a rush of people trying to claim it first. Some were lying on towels on the deck as there were insufficient chairs to cater for everyone.

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Comment by Butler, wirral (25 Jun 09 17:29) about a COMMENT by Pickersgill (25 Jun 09 15:50)

I know it went from the sublime to the ridiculous. What bothered me most was the fact that quite elderly people were sitting on the deck on towels. My husband and I gave up our seats to a couple - the lady was actually non-sighted and it must have been a bit frightening. One of of us went to get them and bring them back to the seats before someone else grabbed them. I just couldn't sit there comfortably whilst others were obviously not. Went for a quick swim and then to watch a film. It just seemed to us that the main offenders on the sundecks (those who left beds for hours) weren't warned. A sad situation indeed. Otherwise hope you enjoyed everything else. Nice to exchange views.

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