fire & ice

by **flowergirl** on Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:02 pm

Hi
Has anyone been on the fire and ice cruise departing on the 11th July, I have never been on a cruise before and am keen to know a bit more before we go. What are the drinks prices like on board and is water/tea/coffee free?
Also if anyone has been which excursions are recommended.

by **HW tenpin** on Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:01 pm

Hello Flowergirl,

Welcome to holiday watchdog and the cruise forum,

Fire & Ice on the Celebration is an excellent first cruise, although you will find ships tours fairly expensive please bear in mind that Norway & Iceland are very expensive Countries, plus with increases in fuel even trying to DIY will be so.

Do study the itinerary for this cruise on the Thomson web site this will give you some idea of what tours are a must do. This is usually one of those cruises you only ever do once, so splash out and to as many as you can afford, they are worth it.

Tea & Coffee are free most of the time in the buffet, but specialty coffees are extra. Water is charged for, but tip here, look behind the grill on the Lido deck and you will see a ice & water machine, (unless it been stopped since last Nov.)

Drinks prices are about the same as your local, perhaps a few pennies more, as they are trying to recoup losses made since fuel has risen, so look out for sudden expenses.

The is a nice ship to sail on, while not up to modern standards, we have found Thomson cruises to be one of the friendliest lines afloat.

Have a great cruise.

by **flowergirl** on Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:44 pm

thanks tenpin...am now a bit worried about the ship not being up to modern standards! what should I be expecting?

by **HW tenpin** on Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:04 pm

Hi Flowergirl,

Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, I do love Thomson cruises, specially the Celebration. They are really friendlyships for a first cruise. although we now expect 4 & 5 star treatment on most of our cruises ( being old & almost past it) we try to do at least one Thomson during the year.

It's just they lack a few refinements the more up to date cruises have. great value for money, and I say this without any malice, after sailing on say 'Princess or RC' particularly the new ones, I afraid 30 year old ship take on a little faded look.

That said given that we cruise perhaps three or four times a year but we still fit Thomson in for at least one of them says a lot.

Maybe when the two ships which have been purchased from NCL are added to the fleet, we will see a little better surroundings.

http://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/Cruise ... 12281.html

Take a look at this thread and some others in the Thomson forum

In my comments you must remember all Thomson ship are of an age which defies sprucing up whatever Thomson do to them, but provide a wonderful cruising experience

by **nanabo** on Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:51 pm

Hi flower girl

Thomsons are a great way of starting your cruising holidays, this will give you the bug to do more. They are good value for money and you certainly will enjoy yourself, its only when you sail on a more finer ship that you realise the difference in comfort. I am like Tenpin I like the more luxurious cabins and surrounds. In February we sailed with Holland America which was out of this world, free room service was a delight especially breakfast on the balcony. But on saying that we are now booked to travel on Caypso again in 5 weeks because of the itinary so we also like to go back to Thomsons its a good and cheaper way of cruising around the world.

Enjoy

Bo

by **perthboy** on Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:44 am

Hi Nanabo You might like to re-phrase your last post as I do not believe that Thomsons "sail around the world". There old ships would not attract the passengers who wish to go round the world in comfort. Butlins at sea. Regards Perthboy.

by **HW tenpin** on Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:58 am

Hi Flowergirl,

Just a quick word, Jim Bowen will be doing a couple of shows on board so look out for auditions for 'Bullseye'

Super, smashing.

by **nanabo** on Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:19 am

Stop been picky perthboy you know what I mean, Its a good way of cruising on a budget. But if you want more comfort and up to date facilities by all means splash out and go 5* cruising. As I have said in previous reviews you get waht you pay for.

Bo

by **daveCTTR** on Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:03 pm

Butlins at Sea, daft answer!
I have booked the Fire and Ice for next year on the Spirit, also sailing from Newcastle and they have lengthened the Cruise to 13 nights including a 2 day stopover in Reykjavik. The 4 full days in Iceland was the best itinery I could find and much better than some more upmarket cruise lines.

ps apparently the ferry line which uses Newcastle for its Norway trips is closing this autumn. I hope this does not impact on next years cruises because of possible withdrawal of terminal and customs facilities.

dave clingin to the riggin on Celebration in September

by **daveCTTR** on Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:56 pm

Wrong info on the DFDS closure, apparently the Newcastle - Amsterdam route is continuing so no problems with customs etc