Topaz/Destiny - can anyone compare?

by **lc74** on Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:45 am

Hi

We will be going on the Destiny on 9th November....4 weeks and 4 days.... :0)

The only other cruise we have ever been on was on the Thomson Topaz (same Itinerary - Colourful Coasts).

Has anyone been on both boats? I'd like to know the similarities/differences so I know what to expect. I remember the Topaz being a bit old fashioned in the cabins, food not that great (we only ate in the buffet but not much choce for vegetarians), drinks being fine. Also, how do they compare size wise? I'm having trouble finding size info for the Topaz as it's now operating as a peace boat - but I'm sure the Destiny might have more cabins (1400 sounds like more than the Topaz, but I'm not 100% sure!).

by **HW tenpin** on Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:38 am

The Destiny is quite a lot larger than the old Topaz, and the lay-out is much better because of this. On the Topaz the Middle of the ship seemed small because we walked down outside corridors on the main decks, card tables were alongside the bar on one side while the other was quite narrow. The show lounge was great on the Topaz, best set-up I have ever seen, while on all other Thomson ships the lounge is too small and you have to go in early for a seat.
I found the cabins to be about the same for the upper deck window cabins, maybe slightly larger on the Destiny, but not that much.

Of the buffets I preferred the Topaz, but the food may have changed as the Chefs change.

As always the Thomson casinos are a joke, but I think they are improving, there is now no smoking in all but one bar and some outside decks. All in all the Destiny gives you more room to move about, even though there are more passengers aboard.

by **tercar** on Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:30 pm

hi lc74,
ive been on both ships although the destiny was then the sunbird, however i am going on the destiny on 23rd of november, the best thing i remember about the topaz was the around the world in 80 minutes i thought this was a fantastic show and nobody has been able to beat this in my eyes. also when the destiny was owned by airtours the midnight buffet was out of this world, i dont know if this will be the same now. like everything else some people will love it and others will hate it. i hope you enjoy it and i will looka t the posts when you return for your comments, hope they are good because i will be following you out on my jollie.

by **lc74** on Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:58 pm

Thanks both. Of course, any other comments welcome!

I was thinking it must be bigger. 80 minutes around the world was great. Weird though, we didn't look forward to it. We're vegetarian and dreaded the meal setup (not knowing what they'd serve us, although the did do a veggie option). It was fantastic and the show was great too! Was just saying to my husband about that last night, remembering how they took songs from different musicals. Really liked it. Hope they have something even slightly similar on the Destiny!

Of course I will post on my return. There are two others going next week or the week after that though, so hopefully will get some other feedback there too.

by **fionat** on Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:22 pm

hi there, we also remember the "round the world in 80 days" dinner. It was so well choreographed with all the servers starting at the same time moving across the rows. When we went on the topaz it was "new to Thompsons" and silly us we assumed a new ship, when we got home and looked it was 50 years old from another line. Mind you I have to say that cruise was the bestest holiday we have ever been on!! Just the right combination of people and situations, we made some great friends and also got in with the entertainment crew after hours, scrictly forbidden of course but great fun.
Anyway old news that, we are thinking about a week long med cruise on perhaps destiny for us and our mothers and it's really interesting to hear about other peoples experiences.
Does anyone know if any cruise lines do single rooms?

by **HW tenpin** on Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:11 pm

Hi Fiona,

Most ships do have a few single cabins, however these are normally inside and are charged at an exorbitant rate.

Take a look at the rate for a suite or superior outside cabin, these can be used for three persons & in most cases are cheaper than two seperate cabins which include a single. These are ample for three adults.

All three/four person cabins are marked in brochure.

by **fionat** on Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:12 pm

thanks for that I really need to get down to it and start studying the various cruise lines properly. It may be that for the sake of cheapness I'll have to share with my mum and Hubby share with his because the two mums don't want to share with each other!