Ist or 2nd evening meal sitting

[nanabo]

Hi folks
Never say never, we have just booked to go back on the Calypso in July. After I was reading all the reviews on the Crimean Discovery we decided to give it a go as it goes to some different places than the other boats. Hubby always wanted to go to Romania and Ukraine so it gives him a chance to get a taster of both, and me to soak up the sun.

We went on this ship in 2007 were we went down the Corinth Canel, hopefully I think the ship has sttled down now looking at the reviews.

So if anyone has any tips on how to get about I would appreciate it. Taxis, Buses and prices, or the Thomson tours which are best???

Looking forward to it now we booked.

BO

[mtek]

Hi Bo. Glad you are giving the Calypso another chance. Read your comments about your experiences on last year's cruise and was very scared for a while leading up to mine in September. However the ship was so different by the time I got on board all my fears were groundless. I did the Aegean and Black Sea last year but they pulled Romania as a result of negative feedback. Instead we had an overnight in Istanbul which is no hardship. To make up for this I have booked the same cruise for next year with one or two minor changes.

In relation to ports of call - well Nessebar is a very pretty small town and you berth right in the centre of things. Unless you want to visit the tourist traps of Sunny Beach there is no need to go any further than the town. Loads of quaint buildings, churches, cobbled street and stalls selling local produce as well as the usual tourist tat. The ship is only there until 2pm which is plenty of time to walk around and get the feel of the place. Most places took euro (some difficulty with changing notes over 50 euro though). The port is pretty and everyone enjoyed their time there. I know Thomson did excursions - the only one I remember was a 2 hour walking tour which was not expensive (12 pounds I think) but there is no need to go further afield and given the short time there it is best to stay close to hand. Didn't bother going to see the nearest beach as I am not a beach babe. However some other did and it seemed to be only a short (and very cheap) taxi ride from the town.

Sevastopol is a fascinating city. I think it has the record for the most monuments/statues in what was the old USSR. Again the ship berths about 5 minutes walk from the centre of town. It is a really lovely city to walk around. Someone from the Ukrainian tourist board comes on board and gives advice and (I think) changes money. The first time I did this port was on the Emerald and we had to keep our passports on our person when we left the ship but last year on the Calypso we didn't. Also the first year there was a brass band on the quay as we arrived and left but in 2007 there was none. Highlights of the city are the Panorama building which depicts the sights of the siege of the city - can't fully describe it but its in the round, is comprised of collage, paintings and artifacts and has to be seen to be believed. This is a fairish walk from the port and uphill. Didn't see that many taxis waiting around but I presume there were some. Thomson combine this with a visit to the Sapoun Highs - the location of the Charge of the Light Brigade and a visit to Balaclava bay. Can't find my 2007 excursion guide but my notes from 2005 say it costs 24 pounds for about 5 hours and well worth it. The excursion I did last year was to the Khans Palace and Cave Monastery (again a half day and about the same price). This was good because it gave me time to see the countryside. But the highlight of the visit was the Black Sea Navy Fleet performing traditional dances. This is a short afternoon trip and can be combined with the morning excursions (or going it alone). These guys are world famous for their Cossack dances and traditional songs and put on a great performance. As I said the city itself is lovely to walk around and there is a large square just outside the port and depending on the day you are there any brides getting married that day come to have their photographs taken there or on the steps at the port area. There are also a lot of decommissioned navy vessels (including submarines) around.

Istanbul is very easy to do on your own. Turn left out of the port building until you come to the tram tracks and follow them uphill and you will arrive at the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Aya Sophia. If I remember correctly none of these will accept anything other than Turkish lire when paying the entrance fee. Use the tram (very cheap but you will need coins) as the taxi drivers have a habit of agreeing a price and then locking the doors when you arrive until you pay a higher price - this may be unfair to most of the taxi drivers in the city but it happened a lot every time I was there. The other benefit of using the tram is avoiding the traffic. To my mind if you have time go ahead and visit the Grand Bazaar but it is a bit of a tourist trap and very easy to get lost in. The Spice Bazaar (just over the Galeta Bridge) is smaller and much more authentic.

If you are visiting Canakkale as the last port of call then there are few options. The ship docks way out of town but does run a courtesy coach. The town is a typical Turkish town and does boast the Trojan Horse used in the movie Troy - a lot smaller than I expected. Thomson run trips to Troy itself and to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Troy is fascinating if you are interested in ancient history - they have very good explanations of the site and the different levels they have uncovered. However Gallipoli is just magical. Being Irish I was unaware until I got there of the fact that so many Irish were involved in the fighting there in 1915. Its a fairly long day starting with a drive to a ferry port where the bus is loaded onto the ferry to cross to the other side of the Straits. They take you to about 6 - 7 small cemeteries including Lone Pine and a Turkish one. Our guide was excellent and had guided major world leaders about the area. Lunch is included and it was very good. I can't understand why in 2005 on the Emerald they did not include this tour - another reason I booked the Calypso last year. I don't think you could do this trip on your own - you need a good guide to put it all into context and I didn't see any taxis around the port area but there were plenty in the town itself.

Thomson have most of their excursions and prices on their website and from my point of view they really do provide good value for money (not always the case). Well I'm rambling too much so must go and do some more ironing in preparation for the Calypso next Monday. Major reason for doing this one is I love that little ship and I do want to sail through the Corinth Canal. Have seen it from the shore on a visit to Athens from Zante and always wanted to pass through it. Enjoy your cruise - I really think this time you will. I'll post a review on my return. Marie

[nanabo]

Thanks mteck for the information this is very usful for our cruise. We also did the Istanbul last year, but went cruising down the bosferous and the Grand Bazaar and did not get time to visit the blue mosque, so this will give us the chance to see it.

We did the Corinth Canal last year it is great, people came out of their way to give us a wave as we passed through. We did have a bunp or two on the way through but we were fine, theCaptain has had plenty of practice now eh!

Hope you enjoy your cruise on Monday and have a good time we will wait for your reviews on your return.

Bo

[nanabo]

Quizzer what deck and cabin have you booked, do you know your cabin number
Bo

[quizzer]

Hi bo . no deck or cabin number i'm afraid,just take our chance, ive read so many times of folk booking a cabin hoping its away from noise, lifts etc but then theres restricted view.or your under the showroom/bar..kind regards Ernie

[nanabo]

Now I always like to look at the deck /cabin plans and make sure we are not under cafes discos etc. This way I will get sleep.

This did happen once on Royal Caribean we booked a balcony on mid ship and lo and behold we had a cafeteria above us, so 4am each morning we could hear the trollies been rolled out for breakfast. Then you could hear the early risers going for a cuppa. So now I make sure whats above me, before I book a cabin.

Bo

[quizzer]

Hi Bo so what your saying is ,when you book the cruise you pay extra each time at the booking stage to choose your own cabin,? or do you have the gift of the gab and being a regular cruise booker get a few favours thrown in ./
kind regards Quizzer

[nanabo]

Hi quizzer

On the bigger ships you look at the deck plan and pick your cabin free. Or if its a late deal they will tell you what cabins are left for you to look at. But on Thompsons you have to pay �35 to pick your choosen cabin, that way you know what you are getting. I wish I had the gift of the gab and did not have to pay the extra. Thomsons been Thomsons its another way for them to get more money out of you.

If I were you I would book your cabin number especially on this ship, as last year I was on and someone had a cabin on deck 2 and they said they got no sleep at all for the noise from the engine and funnel.

If you look back on some of the reviews it will give you an idea of what some were saying on their cabin. Since last year I heard she had been renovated so it might not as be as bad. they might have done something about the noisey cabins. Hope this helps

Bo

[quizzer]

Hi again Bo
Its all part of lifes rich tapestry finding things out once you arrive on board, like wheres the cabin and what deck, etc,,,i like to have some knowledge of the ships layout ,as it used to take us 3 days to get our bearings,ive searched all over the sites for photos which i want of sundeck , pool area and theres not much out there,hope you can help on your return.kind regards Quizzer

[nanabo]

Have you tried looking in www.thomsonsship.co.uk. You will find info on all Thomsons ships there, plus a video

bo