We've just returned from a two week cruise (Jewels of the Med. + Med. Renaissance) and this has to be one of the best holidays we've ever had. The ship was extremely clean everywhere and our cabin was serviced admirably by Diana the cabin stewardess - couldn't believe some of the animals she created from towels(even a monkey hanging from the curtain rail on one occasion!) Nothing seemed too much trouble for any of the staff on the entire ship.

We mainly ate in the self service Lido (complete with hand sanitizer at the entrance) and the food was absolutely wonderful - something for everyone and even scones, cakes and sandwiches between 3.30pm and 5pm. We had a very fussy teenager with us and even she didn't go hungry!

The entertainment was fantastic - numerous quizzes in High Spirits with Alice, Gareth and Mick, bingo, deck games, discos, shows worthy of a West End appearance in the Broadway Lounge and guest comedians (Aiden J Harvey one week and Stu Francis another). There were some really good films on in the cinema to cater for all tastes, repeated every 3 hours from 9 am until 9pm with an occasional 18 rated film at midnight + 2 films on the tv in the cabin. The lido deck entertainment on the day at sea included vegetable carving & cocktail making (the cocktails went to members of the audience at the end). There were salsa lessons, behind the scenes stage tours, daily sudoku and crossword sheets in the explorers lounge, definitely something for everyone.

As we were not very experienced travellers we went on quite a few of the organised excursions. These were all organised brilliantly, and the guides we had were exceptional. We did Monaco & Monte Carlo, Pisa, Rome (full day inc. lunch), Herculaneum, Sicily, Ajaccio (turtle protection centre) & Barcelona sights & shopping. We really can't fault any of the trips, although the Rome trip was a long day and very tiring with the heat. We came to realise we were better suited to the 5 hour max. trips. There are leaflets with street maps in your cabin with lots of helpful local information should you wish to do your own thing - may even try it ourselves next time!

All in all a super holiday - we learned such a lot about all the places we visited and feel privileged to have been on such a lovely ship with such lovely staff. Thank you Thomson - we knew we could trust you!

hello, just arrived home from two weeks onboard the Thomson Spirit.
It was a fantastic holiday and I have to mention Gareth and Mick, two of the entertainment team who are fantastic and their evening and daytime quizzes are not to be missed!
I would also like to point out that, having sat through most of the showteam's rehersals they dont mime and they are all very talented. A special mention to Kate (who is a fantastic dance captain), Dan, Zoe and Paul Thornhill who have a lot going for them and all the best to them and the whole team in the future.

There is plenty to do, theres the cinema, the internet room, card and reading room, the daily quizzes, the shows and the evening gameshows.
The only bad point I have to make is the lack of security around the ship. Whilst on board there were some incidents involving a few teenagers which did spoil a section of the holiday for most passengers. Fights and damage to ship property could have been prevented.

Apart from that I would certainly go on the Thomson Spirit again.

This was our first time on the Spirit and we were not disappointed. Yes, the fabric of the ship is a little jaded and there were the usual maintenance issues but once reported they were quickly attended to.

The food was better than the Destiny thanks to Chefs Lito and Raymond. Order large drinks to save having to keep attracting your waiter's attention.

Our waiters Owen and Mars were true stars and we still have the flowers made out of serviettes in pride of place in our home. The waiter Elvis Parsley was a hoot and Angel says hello to one and all. He thinks he will be back on the Destiny next year.

Our Romanian cabin maids were not as friendly as the lovely Agniya from last year which was a shame.

Hello to Alice, Gareth, Mick and Sian, the entertainments hosts. I know you like reading the reviews. You were fantastic and work so hard. Alice (or should I call you Victoria ) was very good in her take off of Victoria Wood. We forgive you for dragging us up to take part in your shows....3 times. We were amazed and thrilled to win a Thomson mug, pen and bum bag!! Is there no end to Thomson's largesse!

The showteam were excellent.So multi talented. Their "The Importance of being Earnest" was great too. Stu Francis the comedian was a hoot.

I'll say hello here to Alison from Cambridge. We were your co contestants on Top Middle, Bottom.

We didn't go on any organised trips preferring to get off at the ports and do our own thing.

Be alert when off the ship regarding pickpockets. Despite hubby wearing cargo shorts with multiple pockets, a pickpocket on a crowded No 1 bus at the port in Palma tried to reach down into the zipped pocket in his legs. A quick jab from me on his arm thwarted his efforts and he got off at the next stop along with an elderly accomplice.

Our ( and other passengers') holiday onboard was marred somewhat by the behaviour of a minority of foul mouthed and unruly teenagers. I really think that Thomson/ Portland need to get their act together on this and adopt a zero tolerance policy on disruptive behaviour and under age drinking. Security needs to be more proactive in squashing this at the outset. It needs to be stated in the brochure and Cruise News that parents will be held responsible for the behaviour of their children.

I understand that after a refit the Spirit will be doing the Baltic cruises next year and its sister ship, the Celebration will be doing the Med. We have already booked!!

We have just returned from a two week cruise on the Spirit our second.As always in general it can not be faulted.However I must agree with the last two reviews about unruly teenagers and underage drinking.It is a shame other peoples enjoyment and relaxation is spoilt by some selfish individuals, although the parents seem as bad, large groups,shouting and demanding more drinks and generally trying to take over the ship.It will be a tragedy if cruising ends up like holidaycamps.By the way I am not an OAP just a 20 something who works hard and likes to relax on holiday not have it ruined by a certain NORTHERN "CREW"

WE TRAVELLED ON 11 AUGUST VISITING SEVERAL PORTS AROUND THE MED. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD CRUISED BEFORE ON BOARD THE SUNBIRD. WE HAD TOLD OUR FAMILY HOW MUCH WE ENJOYED CRUISING, THE PRESSURE WAS ON WHEN A FAMILY TRIP WAS DECIDED. WE HAD PREVIOUS LOVED CRUISING BUT WOULD MY SISTERS AND THEIR HUSBANDS FEEL THE SAME. HOWEVER I NEEDN'T HAVE WORRIED WE HAVE BOOKED AGAIN FOR NEXT YEAR WITH THOMSON. WE ATE EVERY NIGHT IN THE COMPASS ROSE THE ATMOSPHERE WAS LOVELY OUR WAITERS HAMDY AND ALADIN COULD NOT DO ENOUGH FOR OUR PARTY THE WINE WAS KEPT FLOWING ALL NIGHT UNFORTUNATLY AS THE MEN COULD NOT TAKE IT. THEY KEPT TRYING EVERY NIGHT MUCH TO OUR DISMAY. THE FOOD HOWEVER WAS EXCEPTIONAL.

WE WENT ON TWO ORGANISED TRIPS TO ROME AND FLORENCE/PISA WELL WORTH OF A VISIT.

THE ENTERTAINMENT WAS FAIR BUT THE BOYS KEPT US ENTERTAINED, SO WE DIDN'T MIND. THE DRINK WAS ALL BRANDED WHICH IS UNUSUAL FOR ALL INCLUSIVE, YOU CAN NORMALLY DRINK ALL DAY AND NIGHT AND NOT FEEL TIPSY,
THIS HOWEVER WAS PROVEN NOT TO BE THE CASE ON THE FIRST NIGHT.

WE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED CRUISING WITH THOMSON WE ARE DOING THE DESTINY AGAIN IN JANUARY MY SISTER AND BROTHER IN LAW BOOKED WITHIN A WEEK OF THEIR RETURN TO
DO EGYPT CHRISTMAS WEEK.

AND GUESS WHAT WATCH OUT THOMSON WE ARE ALL BACK ON 26
JULY 2007 ON DESTINY TO CHECK OUT IF THE BEER IS STILL GOOD.

we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the spirit,the staff were fantastic, especially our stewardess, elli. and the restaurant staff, mark,bert and brad pitt. the food in the restaurant was fantastic also.The only criticism I have is the price of the trips. we met some wonderful people on board both staff and fellow cruiser. we would certainly go on a cruise again.

Arrived early on Friday morning, weather was gorgeous. Got on board with minimal fuss and bags both arrived within the 3 hours stated. Ship is really clean and tidy (there was a man painting the ship sides at one of the ports where the paint had been rubbed off at the previous port!). Staff all friendly and willing to help. Cabin steward did a great job, even made towel animals!

Watch out for the photographers though, they take pictures at every opportunity including the lifeboat drill. Food was excellent, although in the self service lido restaurant we weren't allowed to serve ourselves on the week we were there but this changed on the last day. All restaurants tend to have the same food, just depends whether you go for waiters (compass rose) or self service (lido).

Entertainment was excellent, loved the shows by the showteam and the back stage tour of all the secrets (hehe!) and always some activity going on around the ship (would like to mention Gareth and Mick who were hilarious together!).

Only went on 3 trips (Pompeii, Cassis and Palermo and Old City) and went on city sightseeing tour buses in barcelona, which we saw just as much as those on the tour. Disappointed by Palermo, very dirty and didn't appear much to do, but other trips were excellent.

All in all a very organised, friendly and hard work (only because of all the activities, trips, late nights!!!!!) holiday, but well worth it! Loved every minute. ***** 5 stars!

just returned from great holiday on board thomson spirit we have been with other cruise companies before but none as good as thomson staff excellent food excellent were both on diets on return you can dress up or go informal even on the captains night this we like because i cant imagine a case full of ball gowns dinner suits etc our luggage weight was heavy anyway owing to the great ports of call shoes,shoes,shoes!!! well be back thanks thomson.

We sailed on 14th - 21st of July 2006 choosing the Romance, Romans and Riviera all inclusive package The Ship was nice clean and the staff are very heplful.The ship was spotless and very tidy . The entertaintment wasnt really up to scratch especially the Africa show.(you could do btter with the costumes.) Some of the entertainers where miming on the shows. And the rOCK AND rOLL SHOW ON THE DECKS WAS NICE.Mr Karl Schofield was funny. Went to the disco which didnt start until 12 midnight. The disco could start earlier. The Cinemas was good but had to pack a winter jacket in summer as it was really cold. The Captains nite was ok but didnt like the fact that you had to seat with total strangers when having your dinner . The Lido was a very good experience the food and the staff were excellent. The shows could be more varied and cater for the 18 - 35 age group. Overall it was was a nice cruising experience would recomend it.

Sailed on 21st July on the Spirit for two weeks, and had an excellent time. I would echo the comments of the previous post, that the ship is spotless but a little dated. I would also agree that Alice should be Cruise Director - she was great!

The food is just fantastic - and so plentiful! There really is something for everyone, we had a 16 year old & a 10 year old who loved the lido.

The staff are very friendly, and the service first class. The waiters really stand out, also our steward Olena was lovely.

We really enjoyed the entertainment, and thought all the production & choreography was fantastic. The entertainment staff work very hard, and I don't think any of them were moming. We thought Africa was the best show. Our 16 year old son preferred the High Spirits lounge. If anyone is reluctant to take kids on board then I would reassure them. The 16 year old hung out with all the teenagers, and didn't arrive back to the cabin until 2am at the earliest! He said it was the best holiday ever! Our 10 year old daughter made lots of friends at the kids club, and loved the entertainment in the Broadway Lounge.

The only complaint is that the walls between cabins are paper thin. We were in an inside cabin on deck 1, and could hear everything our neighbours were saying. I could even hear the guy next door snoring in the night! However, you go to bed so tired that nothing keeps you awake.

One more grumble - the trips are very expensive. Try and do your own thing, Destination Services were very helpful even if you didn't book their trips.

All in all a fabulous holiday!