kate52

Hi. Just been watching Grand Prix (and ironing!)
You can't prebook excursions with Thomsons, only on board.
Our itinerary is different to yours Alsacienne, we are only in Istanbul for 1 day, and only the relevant trips are in the ticket booklet. You should get one of these whoever you booked with I think. Air tickets, ship info, luggage tags all in one booklet.
We are not sure what to do ourselves in Istanbul. Would like to see some of the Asian side, and the spice market, and possibly a bit of the modern area. The destination services people were really helpful and knowledgeable last year so hope the same person is on board this year. They had port talks on board, separate from excursion showcase, gave lots of good tips for DIY. Definitely need to take paper and pen to that. Oh, and always get a map marked with ship's berth if possible, and always take the Daily Newsletter out with you as it has important contact details in case of emergencies.
A really hectic week at work ahead, then I can begin my countdown!!
kate

middy

I watched the end of the Grand Prix when I got back from shopping. Go Hamilton.

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: I am sailing

Alsacienne

Thanks for your message Middy. I'm very fortunate that Kate has been in touch with me already 'elsewhere' on cyberspace, and of course any info about Calypso is ALWAYS welcome!

And I promise to pass on any information in turn to any future Calypsonians! I don't think I've got any more documentation to come from Thomsons as I've booked on line and am doing cruise only .............

I'd also like to say how happy I am that this forum is friendly .... I'm just recovering from being publicly slated on another travel forum for not being able to 'quote' in the "approved" manner by a couple of longstanding members, and am feeling rather vulnerable.

middy

Hi Alsacienne. Sorry to hear about your recent experience,
I try my best to be friendly Being slightly mad helps too.

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: I am sailing

Ally

Only 'slightly' mad, Middy?

Alsacienne, Middy is right though, it does help to be a bit daft around here, otherwise people get a tad too serious and that is when problems usually start....in regards to disrespectful behaviour on other boards, I think that most of us have been there...myself included...and tbh I think that is why we are different here to most, we know what its like so we know the signs and can stop it before it goes too far

__________________
Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator

1965 - Cunard Queen Mary
1967 - Cunard Queen Elizabeth
1970 - Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2
1971 - P&O Oriana
1972 - SS France
1975 - SS Leopard
1977 - P&O Canberra
2005 - NCL Norwegian Jewel - Shakedown Cruise - Jersey
2005/6 - NCL Norwegian Crown - Chile, Cape Horn, Falkland Islands, Uruguay & Argentina - Christmas/New Year cruise
2006 - Fred Olsen Braemar Mini Cruise - Amsterdam & Zeebrugge
2007 - Fred Olsen Braemar Transatlantic - Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas, Bermuda & Azores
2007 - Fred Olsen Braemar Mini Cruise - Guernsey & Amsterdam
2007 - NCL Norwegian Gem - Shakedown Cruise - Amsterdam
2008 - Costa Allegra - Hong Kong, Philippines, Borneo, Brunei, Singapore, Saigon, Da-Nang & Sanya

Coming up next.....

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung and Hong Kong - 16 Nights Cruising in: 311 day(s), 8 hour(s), 25 minute(s)

kate52

Sorry to be off topic!
Middy- just seen your reply to the madeira webcam- we really must have the same taste in holidays- we were in Madeira in May this year, too!
It was the first time we had been (not on a cruise though, I guess you were)
Really liked it, will go back sometime to see some more.
kate

middy

Like cruising around Greece and the Eastern med. Not too keen on Western med. But also like Madeira and Canaries, Been cruising that way three times. Did you have a go on the sleds and cable car?

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: I am sailing

kate52

Not the cable car- hubby doesn't like them. Went on the sledge though, got the photo to prove it, as well as a hole in best white trousers after falling over on the very steep road back into town! Serves us right for being cheapskates- should have taken a taxi!

middy

My hubbys not keen on cable cars either.
Sure is steep on the way down. Do hope it was only the trousers that were harmed.

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: I am sailing

kate52

And the dignity!