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.

This was my first cruise, I went with my boyfriend and his family who are seasoned cruisers and had been on the Spirit before. I was just so impressed with the sheer size of the ship and all the things available to do, but I guess if you're used to it you wouldn't be gasping in amazement like i was on the first day!

The cabin we had on deck 2 was really spacious, my boyfriend assured me that the size was above average compared to other ships he'd been on. Very comfy bed and good shower. Our stewardess Monica was so friendly and helpful, especially when i was feeling a bit seasick when she went to reception to get me a tablet, really thoughtful. All the staff were willing to go that extra step to help you out and make your stay as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

The shows in the evening were amazing, especially the Africa one, when they sang the Lion King songs i had goosebumps. Singing and dancing of the highest standard, not one of them would look out of place in the West End. And Alice, the entertainment hostess, was amazing, a real talent and really funny.

We loved the daytime quiz by the pool as well as the cocktail making to music, very funny! In general, just a really relaxing, fun holiday which has made me want to go straight on another cruise again!

This was one of the most amazing holidays ever it was perfect in everyway and nothing can break the ice of remembering the moments we will treasure forever.
We have benn on this ship 3 times and are going on the emerald in a few days and are hopeing it will be just as good (fingers crossed).
If you every need a holiday this is the one you should choose the only fault is that the water in the pool is salty water, but me and my 11 reletives loved it to bits and i hope this year me and my 15 reletives will love it just as much as this ship.

After a good and quick flight from Gatwick we were soon on board,at this point I will point out that my Wife has to use a stick,and a wheel chair for ashore.Our cabin was on A deck inside, our cases soon followed,as we were on the Celebration last year [that one from sthmpton,that got cancelled in Lisbon] we already knew our way around the ship.we ate in the Lido restaurant for breakfast,lunch and tea then we used the Compass Rose for dinner every night,as per usual all the food was first class,could not fault any of it.we treated ourselves to the Sirocco for the a la carte one evening,what a feast,beautifully presented 6 courses with excellent waiters,we were in there for 2 hours and at the end they brought a plate to the table with chocolate fancies,we said we could not eat any more,so they promptly covered it with foil so we could take it to our cabin and eat them later.that meal at home would cost £100+ back home,we paid just £32.
Cleanliness on the ship was very good,every where some one was cleaning,dusting,hoovering and polishing,also when we were in port the outside of the ship also got spruced up,including painting the life boats.
The waiters were all very polite and attentive,must mention,Ali,who who served us in Sirocos,who always found time to help carry my Wifes tray,and said he would pray for Englands football team,our table waiters,Don and Michael who some how one night managed to obtain a real rose for my wife to go with the imitation one he made,which it seems all the waiters are very clever at making,they were both very polite and friendly nothing was too much trouble,one evening I could not make my mind up which desert to have from 2 choices,so they brought up both for me.The wine waiters Min and Man always kept my glass full and were two great characters,always laughing and smiling.Special mention to our stewardess Lori,she kept our cabin spotless and even found time to make special animals from our towels.
The entertainment staff did a good job with quizzes and games etc,it was great fun to see Alice baiting Bob the cruise director who took it in good spirit,Sian,Mike and Gareth and Alice worked well together.The singers and dancers put on very good shows especially Africa and Eltons tribute.They managed to put the Paraguay game on in the cinema,what an atmosphere there was during that game,the other game was sreened in High Spirits in German!
Regards the excursions we only did 3 as so many were impossible for my wife to go on due to her having to use a stick or wheelchair, we managed to go ashore at every port on our own any way,thanks here to the gangway staff, who were there to assist if needed.On all the coaches the drivers were quick to help with stowing the chair and getting it out for us.
The sight of seeing the QE2 next to us in Palermo was breathtaking it caused quite a stir on board and with the locals.
All in all it was an enjoyable 2 week cruise up to the usual high Thomsons standard as this was our 4th with them,we are looking forward to cruising with them again,just to finish we spoke to many first time cruisers who all said they enjoyed it and would cruise again with Thomsons, I think that says it all.

We booked this last june and were looking rorward to going . Not a disapointment.The ship was spotless , always getting painted or cleaned.The food cant be faulted , and the choice exellent.Daniella from romania and victor from the ukraine , of the bar staff, were really great friendly but not pushy. Our cabin steward Sabrina did a sterling job she seemed to be always there with clean towels etc .The venetian night show and the africa, were the ones we liked best.,but all were first class.The show case nigts with Paul and Daniel were again brilliant .the ship had vibration , but hey its a ship what do u expect? The trips we did we thought good value especially Rome.We took the complete vatican city,and never had to wait or queue.staight into the sistine chapel ( what can u say ?)there are no words for it .all in a fantastic holiday . thanks thomsons.

This was our 3rd Year on the Spirit and the the standards are still excellent staff so friendly. But Thomson are trying to stop some of this in the dining room where last year we were sang to had flowers made and tricks while we dined. Its part of the holiday and not a chore but a pleasure from the waiters don't fix wot an't broke!! Next year we will try the Celebration for our med cruise as the Spirit is relocating. I have read the other reviews from some people who were on the same cruise as us this year and they are not wronge. The only complaint was the deck party Wednesdays i think were a bit of a flop, you can not get 1,000 people on the party deck at one time and i think other entertainment should have been happening in the show lounge.
Had a great time.Chears Joice & Jone
If you have never cruised try it you'll probely get hooked, but try Thomson, up to now never a let down.

Didn't like the shows very much [ 3 is my personal view but then again I'm not a show person, I went with her my wife she would give 5 ] but my wife thought they where excellent, the staff where very very nice could not fault them, the comidian on the second week [Andy Rough]was a blast and very kind when we met him. Bert and Mark in the compass rose restaurant where the best I have ever seen, and I even got a birthday card from my stewardess Elli,[who made wonderful towel animals every night] and the captain. the bar staff always remembered your drinks amazing seeing as so many people used the place. I thought the cost of the trips where a little on the steep side I think the people who go to the captain's cocktail party should wear evening wear [some wore jeans which I think was hellish, and disappointing]

We arrived on the friday night to be told our cabin which we had booked for a year had been given to someone else. The cabin we had booked was midships due to my partner tending to be sea sick if things get too rough at sea. The cabin we were given was right up front on the promenade deck and bow movement was severe and she was sick. The cruise was billed as "no children under 16". We saw several families with children clearly under 16 and in pushchairs. When we complained the reception staff were generally obstructive and said it was hard luck.Further letters to Thomson upon our return have proved fruitless. My point is this : The basic holiday package, the food, the entertainment would have been enjoyable but was ruined by Thomsons failure to deliver the cabin we requested and "no children on board". Why say these things if they have no intention of providing them.
It became clear from both the staff on boards comments and other holiday makers that Thomson regularly double book a small number of cabins/hotel rooms equating to the number of cabins they have failed to sell at the full price (usually because they are in an inferior position). This in my opinion constitutes miss selling.
If you are flexible in your attitude to choice of cabin and children/no children then I would say the basic holiday provided is acceptable, but if you take heed of what is promised in the brochure and rely on thomson to prebook your cabin when they say they have done then I would strongly discourage anybody from relying on Thomson as they could let you down badly.

We travelled on the spirit and prebooked a cabin which
Thompson deliberately refused to give us when we boarded ship. They put us in an inferior cabin and when
we complained the staff threatened us . They admitted cabin swapping was a regular occurrence and affected a
small number of passengers on every cruise.

Trading standards have said they acted illegally and are currently pursuing legal action on our behalf.

We believe Thompsons are untrustworthy and devious.

No wonder they are cutting 2600 jobs. They just can't
compete. You have been warned !

We prebooked a cabin one year in advance and were not given it.

The cruise was billed as "child Free" it wasn't.

Staff were generally neutral/unhelpful.

Thomson were taken to task and threatened with legal action upon our return by the "Trading Standards Office" who stated they had broken both civil and a criminal law in their financial "double dealings" i.e. delibrately double booking rooms to fill up unsaleable cabins once the unsuspecting holidaymaker is on board.

My opinion is that Thomson are untrustworthy and do not have the holidaymakers best interest at heart. You may have a good holiday with them, but be warned, if there is a problem, be it of their making or not, You are on your own!!!!