Thomson Celebration Red Sea Magic

...my recent trip on the Thomson Celebration around the Red Sea (Red Sea Magic). The reason I write the review is I found little information on the cruise before and after I had booked the trip. The information i did find was little or of no importance other than the usual 'great trip', 'would recommend to anyone' types of information.

As I am about to write the review I believe the ship has been changed from winter 2008/9 to Thomson ...
...wait unless your on a Thomson excursion. Unless you are a well travelled and you are 100% sure you know what your doing.

The fantastic thing was that courtesy coaches were next to the gangway of the ship to take you to the town centre. The times are listed in your Cruise News. However, we walked straight past them and didnt realise the service was available. Nevertheless we had a good walk into town.

We found a shop ... more

I thought i'd write a review on my recent trip on the Thomson Celebration around the Red Sea (Red Sea Magic). The reason I write the review is I found little information on the cruise before and after I had booked the trip. The information i did find was little or of no importance other than the usual 'great trip', 'would recommend to anyone' types of information.

As I am about to write the review I believe the ship has been changed from winter 2008/9 to Thomson Spirit. But as far as im aware the ship is the sister ship to the Celebration and has the same layout and is more or less identical.

Arrival

We arrived in Sharm el Sheik airport and as we got of the coach from the aircraft into the terminal it was clear we were being seperated. Passengers who were staying in 'Sharm' were directed to get visa's we were taken straight past immigration and onto the carousels to collect our luggage. The luggage took around 20mins after we were shifted between various belts because nobody was sure which one they were going to come out on.

The question on your mind maybe if you book or have booked to go is 'do I need a visa?' We were unsure of wether to get a visa or not as we didnt know which trips we needed one for or what. The ship deals with all immigration formalities on your behalf.

After collecting our luggage we were directed to coachs right outside the terminal doors. they tell you which ones to get on - more or less any one that is not full and is going to the port. On the seats on the coach is the arrival information which tells you what will happen when you arrive at the port along with a landing card for departure from the port. The journey time is 20-30mins.

The information highlights your 9.30am Emergency drill the next morning, Reception location, Money Exchange, Onboard Account, Dining Choices, Phoning Home, Kidzone (childrens activites), if you have visitors onboard, your cruise itinerary and any extras you can purchase. I will highlight these later in the review.

When you arrive at the port you are met by a Rep who explains what to do next through the port and embarkation onto the ship aswell as your luggage arrangments.

We then got off the coach and a swipe of our credit card was all we needed to authorise the onboard account, however you can pay in cash onboard the ship if you require. The bill is debited from your nominated card at the end of your cruise. You are issued with your cabin number and given an account card for each individual passenger and you must walk over to the ship. Disabled people used little minibuses.

The bags can take a few hours to reach your rooms but ours came about 20mins after getting on the ship. We boarded the ship and a team of cabin stewards were aiting and took us to our room and gave us our key-card.

Room

We opted for an outside cabin which we paid extra for a window on the 3rd deck. It was our first cruise and also a late booking. The cabin was just big enough for the both of us with two single beds, minibar, drawers, large mirror and dressing table, wardrobe, tv, information booklet, hairdryer, lifejackets etc. The room was ok but we only used it for sleeping and changing.

A cabin steward is assigned to your room and he introduces himself and cleans the room twice daily. Once in the morning and once in the evening. In the evening he turns back the sheets and places a chocolate on the pillow.

The mini bar was minimal stock but adequate and anything you used can be written by you or your steward and signed which is added to your onboard account. Large bottles of water are handy and cans of coke with a select few snacks such as pringles are also available. We were not all inclusive and took a bottle of spirits onboard with us. The mixers were £1.25 per can (330ml) so can add up.

Bathroom (en-suite)

The bathroom was quite tiny but again, suitable. The bathrrom had a vacuum toilet system (like on an aircraft) and shower (with curtain) and a vanity unit which had complimentary shower caps, shampoo, conditioner, soap etc. It was clean but a little dated.
The vain of our holiday was the toilet, signs are placarded to remind you not to put too much in the toilet incase it blocked. It blocked, then blocked and blocked again. Infact it must have done it three times a day every day of the trip on average so we were endlessley on the phone to reception to get it rectified. The good thing was it didnt take them long to sort out.

You can opt for using the 'Cabin Comfort' form which lists extra pillow, extra blanket, tv, lights, WC, telephone, air conditioning, heating and other. Just tick which you require leave it in your room for the steward and they will fix it for you.

Be careful of when you use the shower because as it's only a curtain the water that gets out and onto the floor outside can be quite hazourdous. I nearly slipped twice after stepping off a soaking floor towel.

Cruise News

The Cruise News is an onboard 'newspaper' which for us first timers was fantastic. It gave us load of information on the port we were at, any announcements passengers may have paid to have placed in it, arrival and departure times of the ship, local currency, opening times of all the shops, restaurants, spa, gym etc, daily drinks promotion and cocktail of the day, handy local lingo phrases such as hello/goodbye etc, emergency contacts (for land use), your in cabin tv guide and films, and whats on at the cinema. It also lists a planner of activities, shows and cabarets that are on and in which venue around the ship.

We used to wake up to a new one every morning and we got a bit excited over what to do that evening and plan our day.

Television

In your room is a TV with 12 channels (some radio). They are subject to satellite signal but being in the red sea and surrounded by land was not really a problem.

The channels were BBC World, Bloomberg, News 24, Two Movie channels, a camera view from the bridge (which was interesting), Safety Video Channel, Destination Services Channel (which showed all the trips and information on the ports), Onboard service information channel and Three Radio Channels.

Two movies are shown daily throughout the cruise and are different each day and are the latest blockbuster movies. They are listed in your Cruise News along with start times of every three hours or so.

Room Service

Room service was available and a menu is located on the information stand on the dressing table.

Breakfast - £4.50
Choose a Juice / Cereal / Hot Drink and a you get a selection of pastries along with bread, jams, marmalades, honey and butter

Appetisers - £1.30 - 2.95
Soups, Salmon, seafood Cocktails

Salads - £2.40 - £3.50
Mixed Garden salad or ceaser Salad

Sandwiches - £2.85 - £4.25
Wraps, Club Sandwiches, Burgers etc

Desserts - £2.50 - £2.95
Apple Pie, Biscuits, Cheese

If you order drinks on Room service and your All Inclusive then you will have to pay, they are the same price as the standard tariff.
Breakfast, a door hanger is provided which must be left on your door before 4am. Tick the selection and its served between 7am - 10am.

Laundry

The ship provides a laundry service and a bag and form are located in one of the drawers in your room. Shirts are £2.40 to be washed and £1.70 to be ironed, dry clean is £3.20. The form will list all the prices but thats an idea.

However, if your prepared to do it yourself then laundrettes are located around the ship. Absolutley fantastic, I felt like DOT in Eastenders!
Although I had no urgency to clean anything sometime before my last day I did all my washing and my partners in two hours so I didnt have to do it when I got back! Boring I know but I used two laundrettes and just toddled between the two. The best thing is the machines have timers of how long it will take, so if it says 30mins come back in 30mins and take it out and put another load in. The only thing is people usually queue to use them so I waited with my loads so they didnt dive in.

You will also find that people will happily remove your washing and plonk it on the top of the machine if your not back in time to do it yourself!!! I accidently left the last load and forgot about it and a lovely lady had taken them out and dryed them and then folded them for me!!

A laundrette is located on decks 1, 2 , 6 and 7. But the one on deck 7 is a bit of a mind boggle, signs lead you one way and you see a sign saying that its the other. The reason, its by doors to the deck in the middle of the ship.

=First Night==

Well...this was the funniest part of the evening. The Cruise News had stated we were leaving at 22.00 so we got ourselves ready for the first night and wanted to see the ship depart and join in with the 'sailaway' deck party. Due to an issue with hair straightners and so on we didnt get to the deck until about 22.10. We were in no hurray because we hadn't feel the ship move and despite paying extra for the window didn't look out of it!

As we walked up to the main deck and walked outside we saw land in the distance and we were hit with a sea breeze. We couldn't believe it, the ship had moved and we felt nothing! Well its good news because we heard from previous people who had done cruises that the engine shudder etc can be annoying. But disappointing we missed our departure.

Never-the-less we got in with the party and sang along to the music as we sailed into the night. We were quite cautious because we knew that the bar prices were expensive and we were not all-inclusive. We spent most of the evening in 'Liberties' a small disco on the upper deck at the back of the ship. Well....to be honest we spent most of the evenings there. We eventually retired for the night, the first day is a long one!

Liberties

Liberties bar is located on Deck 6 at the back of the ship and is modern but small. The bar staff are extremely friendly and your never without a drink. If your a smoker this is the only place on the ship you can smoke inside on one side of the bar. Otherwise you have to smoke outside on the decks.

The music is various music from right back up until the latest music. Liberties opens usually around 10am and close is when everyone has gone, although they turn the music down around 2am.

Liberties also hosts many smaller shows through the week such as the game-shows and bingo. The game-shows are not to be missed and are really funny. The usual game shows such as Mr & Mrs and Play Your Cards Right. We didnt play Bingo but heard it was expensive to play but with little return for the winner. One lady told us she got a bag of mints for the house!!!

Bar

Staff are lurking everywhere around the ship to wait on you hand and foot which is good. The only bar we had problems getting drinks from was the one in the Broadway lounge where they had the bigger shows. Although their was no actual bar staff were hidden behind curtains and walked around taking orders and returning back with the drinks. It was so difficult to get any of them to get a drink for you I got a little P'd off some nights and had to go and ask for one myself. one night we went the whole show and didnt get a drink.

Again liberties were faultless but we found out the staff are rotated around every so many weeks.

Bar Prices were high and are the prices you'd expect to find in hotels, airplanes etc. We hadn't done a cruise before and was unsure of what to expect. The Bar tariff was consistent around the ship.

Prices were as follows:

Cocktails (alcoholic) - £3.40
Cocktails (Non-Alcoholic) - £1.90
Spirits - £2.85
Premium Spirits (Glenmorangie etc) - £3.70 - £10.50 (AI - 0.85 - £7.65)
Port & Sherry - £2.55
Wine (Glass) - £2.95 - £3.75
Champagne - Various prices (AI - Various)
Lager/Bitter - £1.40 - £2.95 (AI - £1.80 - 1.95 for bottled)
Tea / Coffe - £1.40 - £1.60
Snacks - Various

This is just a small selection, the bars also sell 20 Cigarettes for £2.50. The drink listed with AI prices are what you have to pay if your on All Inclusive for selected drinks.

Spirits are served in 40ml measures which is 60% more than a standard UK measure. Also a word of caution, All Inclusive is not available between 2am and 8am and any drinks will be charged to your onboard account between these times.

Aqaba

The following day we arrived in Aqaba ontime and we stopped for two days departing the last day at 20.00. Your passports are not required, although reception holds them back until sunday after you have checked in at Sharm el Sheik. Your passport will come back with stamps all over the place and later in the trip you will need to return it to reception later in the cruise.

We were woken by our safety demonstration and 9am, a little worse for wear! We slipped some random clothing combinations on grabbed our lifejackets and strolled up to the deck to see it rammed with passengers. We found our station and were checked of by the crew member who then gave us some safety information.

The local currency is Jordanian Dinars, although you won't need lots of cash and the onboard rate was £1 - 1.45 JOD (November 07)

When we arrived the Royal Jordanian Air Force Display team did a great air display over the ship. Wether this was a one off im unsure?
I waited on the top deck looking for some high speed jets to come zooming past, we got some propellar driven aircraft which looked old. Not a bad thing but very entertaining and a fantastic airshow just for us!

We opted to do a trip to Wadi Rum on the first day which was a 4x4 adventure into the dessert to see where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed, it was a really enjoyable day and we got some great photos. Cruise News lists all the departue times of the coaches from the keyside for the various trips.

Petra was by far the busiest trip on the first day, around 70% of the ship went to Petra and the rest remained onboard or did other excursions.

The second day we had a wander in aquaba and got lost! It was a market day and extremely busy. Maps are provided at the gangway of the ship, it was just a case of finding out where we were!! Outside the port, taxi firms were waiting to take willing customers into the town centre and also on trips to Petra....although at a lower cost to that of the ship. I would advise against it really, if your late the ship won't wait unless your on a Thomson excursion. Unless you are a well travelled and you are 100% sure you know what your doing.

The fantastic thing was that courtesy coaches were next to the gangway of the ship to take you to the town centre. The times are listed in your Cruise News. However, we walked straight past them and didnt realise the service was available. Nevertheless we had a good walk into town.

We found a shop and bought some 2litre bottles of coke and lemonade and bottled water for a room, which was considerably cheaper than onboard.

The place is poor and mostly run-down but is what to be expected, it was very good for a cultural visit, after all that was what we were doing. We saw loads of kids playing on a dusty football pitch and because it was sunday (market day) we were weaving in and around the town. But still a good day out.

Aqaba Trips: (1) First Day (2) Second Day

(1/2) Wadi Rum 4x4 Desert adventure:- £32 / £20
(1/2)Movenpick Hotel Beach transfer:- £18 / £9 (get your own taxi??)
(1)Dead Sea:- £51 / £25.50
(1)Petra:- £72 / £36

Petra and the dead sea are the most popular and are expensive but well worth the visit.

Friday Night in Aqaba was the night of the formal Captains Cocktail reception. Two sittings are listed and you are given a place on the first or second sitting on an invitation in your room. Details of what to wear and whats happening is in the Cruise News.

We left aqaba on the Sunday evening for our day at sea.

Day At Sea

Well the day sea was ok. It was very windy on the top deck where we had opted to go. It was Deck 10 right at the front. It was the only place on the ship a sunbed was not side by side and crammed. It was a very windy day and even the towel didnt stay down!

Activites such as Npkin Folding, Flambé demonstrations, Cairo and Luxor Talks (Next ports of call), Dance Class (Latin American) and Cocktail Demonstrations were just some of the activities on throughout the day.

We used this time to explore the ship and find out where the Spa and Gym was, along with the stuff listed which we could not find at all! So here they are:

Spa / Gym

The Ocean Spa and Gym is located on deck 8 at the back of the ship. We had a little look around and found a price list because we thought we'd go for a proper cruise tradition and have a massage. No-one was about which was disappointing....so we never did get one. Despite having loads of leaflets through our door for limited offers.

Our First offer was for the first evening for £35 and get a Back, Neck, Shoulder and Foot Massage and a Spa Facial. We didnt take up on it the first night was a bit of a blur anyway as it was our first cruise! Later in the cruise we had another offer for an express Facial and Back massage for £40 (1 Hour).

The Spa offered the usual beauty treatments at a premium such as massages, relaxation, facials, nails etc. They also offered Teeth whitening for over £120.

Unfortunatley I lost the price list but if I had got All inclusive when I had a booked then I would have had more to spend. So was on a budget and didnt use the Spa facilities.

However sometime during the week they have an offer for a Free Raffle, you get a glass of champagne and your put into the raffle for a free treatment of your choice. A ticket will pop through your door sometime during the cruise, but I think its more of a way to get people up to the spa and booking treatments.

The gym was located nexst to the Spa and Sabrina the fitness trainer had a schedule for various activities throughout the cruise.

The first night of the cruise she offers a gym orientation between 7pm and 9pm. Throughout the week she does various activities such as pilates and aerobics classes where a minimal charge of £5 is required. Every other day she does a mile long walk around deck 7 at 8am in which anyone can join in for free.

Sabrina offers personal fitness training for £30 for 45mins and £50 for couples. If you book two sessions and a Body Composition analysis you pay £65. The Body Composition analysis is £19 for 30mins single and £30 for couples 45mins. The (BCA) is a body health test which gives you your muscle mass, water content and your metabolism.

Shops

The onboard shops are located towards the middle / back of the ship on deck 5 just through the broadway show lounge. It worth noting that the shops can only open whent he ship is at sea, so as soon as the ship sets sail everyone runs to the duty free. The usual cigarettes and spirts selection can be found along with a huge range of jewellery and souvenirs.

Again the opening times are listed in your 'Cruise News'. We found that the cigarettes were quite cheap but worked out a little cheaper on the Thomson flight over. Its a good job we bought them on the flight out as they didnt have much left for the way back!
The only time I used the shop was to get some lip cream to stop my lips from cracking! Maybe it was the sea air??? Everything onboard is paid for using your little account card and is charged to your room. No money changes hands onboard the ship unless your exchanging currency or giving out a discretionary tip.

Cinema

Well, we found the cinema tucked away just behind the shops and at the side of the Explorers lounge on deck 5. We didnt use it but it had a popcorn machine outside which you could help yourself to at anytime. They again showed the latest movies and were different to the ones shown on the TV in your room. Not a huge cinema but they use it for storing hand luggage on the last day when you leave your rooms.

The movies are listed in your 'Cruise News' at the times also.

Photo Gallery

I did have to ask why I was being photograhed numerous time around the ship. The night of the Captains dinner we took were herded around the ship in a queue (which we couldn't skip) to have our photos taken against various backgrounds and with the Captain. Maybe this is customary on a cruise, it was our first time?

The Photo Gallery was open during the times listed in the Cruise News and was just behind the broadway show lounge on deck 5. The pictures although very professional were expensive but we did opt for one which was £14.99. It was one of the captains cocktail night against a staircase background! Im pleased we got it, but you could easily get carried away buying loads of photos for high sums of money! We just bought a few batteries from them when we ran out, but if you have a camera buy a load before you go and take them with you to save some money!

Destination Services

The ships staff are from the philippines this includes reception. However, the guys at this desk are from the UK and work for Thomson. Abit like Thomson Holiday reps. We saw a few of them sometimes around the ship. One was rude to us when we went to ask a question on the departure time of a trip as we'd had no tickets. We were not to know they were delivered the day before....

The other girl was forever eating in the lido restaurant and quite abrupt also.

It was a shame really as everyone else was so polite even the entertainment team.

The Destination Services Team booked all the trips and organised coaches and sorted out tickets. You don't have to actually see them you can book by filling in the form and leaving it in a box by their desk. It is located on Deck 5 next to all the shops towards the front of the ship.

Browsers Corner / Card/Reading Room

Tucked away at the front of the ship just in front of Explorers lounge near to the cinema on deck 5.

Browsers corner is a little room with a huge library of encyclopedias and books to look at aswell as Internet access. If you use the internet alot then its good for the odd email but the service is slow due to a satellite connection and eats away at either pre-paid minutes or time usage.

The Card/Reading room has loads of games such as Monopoly and Cluedo along with the usual Chess etc. So if you want a really quiet moment to yourself pop in here or the Explorer lounge next door.

Explorer Lounge

Well for me this place was a little too quiet! In the evening it had light classical music played by a two man orchestra and during the day it was nothing really. I found out towards the end of the cruise that they did Free Tea and Coffee in the evenings with biscuits. The only place on the ship you can get a free tea or coffee is on the Lido pool Deck where they have machines or in the buffet restaurant or here. If you get one from a bar you have to pay.

Casino / Horizons

I watched a few travel channels before I left and saw huge casinos onboard the cruise ships but was disappointed to find it was a tiny casino with the usual roulette, gambling machines etc at the end of the Horizons Bar.

It was used by many people and one girl we met had lost £200 playing blackjack! However if you like to have a flutter then this is where you can do it. As far as I could make out the casino was operated by an outside company and not Thomson.

The Horizon bar was a quiet bar and a little more sophisticated. It is located behind the shops on deck 5 near to the cinema and Explorers Lounge.

Well this more or less concluded our tour of the ship, which although is huge to look at, is quite small and quick to get around.

Port Sokhna

This port is a random place at the south of the Suez Canal and the nearest port to Cairo to see the pyramids etc.

The Captain mentioned at his Reception that here and Safaga were his least popular ports he'd ever visited and quite rightly so. They were industrial ports not really catered for cruise ships with endless containers and large container ships.
So many older people were complaining because they wanted to get off and do there own thing which is pretty impossible considering one road into the desert lead into the Port. The nearest place to visit was miles away. However sometimes minibuses were available to take you to the port entrance and taxis were availble outside at which you could negotiate a price. Personally because of the distance to any amenities is miles away I didnt want to risk it. The port authorities wouldn't let people out of the port when we went which upset quite a few people.

You are supplied with a notice before arrival into Port Sokhna that any passenger who has a video camera is to notify if they will be taking the camera ashore. They want your name, nationality, passport no, brand of camera and the serial number so the information can be supplied to the custom authorities.

However, the ship docks here to get us as close to Cairo as possible and we opted for a vist to the pyramids. It was the first visit to Egypt and we couldn't go home and not have seen them.

Port Sokhna Trips:

Classic Eqypt - Pyramids and Museum:- £68/£34
Pyramids, Mosque and Nile:- £68/£34
Pyramids, Memphis and Tombs:- £68/£34
Pyramids and Shopping:- £32/£16 (Which we opted for)
Stella di mari Beach Transfer:- £22/£11
Sunset Nile Sound and Light Show:- £38/£19

You will get a full list of the excursions before you go and whats involved but our shopping day took us to the pyramids of Giza which were fantastic to see, but the abundance of tourists in thousands spoilt it. If you angle your camera right you can manage to get a great picture without the city of cairo behind them. The pyramids of geeza are brimming with locals selling tat and wanting you to take photos of them on camels for money. One guy even got us to pose for a photo and was back in 5mins with a fully developed picture in a souvenir frame for us by our coach! The guide was knowledgable and we learnt loads from her, but she tried to sell us jewellery on the coach.

Extra costs to enter the pyramid from the coach guide are around £5 or £2.50 if purchased locally (in local currency) £1 is approx 10 Egyptian Pounds.

Our trip included a visit to a huge shopping centre with large stores such as Puma and Nike etc. We thought we grab a few bargains as it was supposed to be cheap in Egypt but everything was the same as in the UK if not more expensive. It may have had something to do with about three major chain of hotels attached to the shopping centre! So we spent our money on a mcdonalds and wandered around for a few hours.

The great thing was we went to the Papyrus Institue which is one of many in and around the area of Cairo which demonstrates how paper was made out of some branches of trees and used to make them paintings on sroll type paper. It was only a short demonstration but very informative and interesting to see. Of course there the usual hard sell after but we had a quick look round and waited outside.

The guide left us in Cairo, but we were told about this in a letter as most of the guides come from Cairo and get off there to go home, we were escorted back by a security guard and a driver. The journey was about two hours. Everyone slept on the way back. Make sure you take water, its hot over their. A queue usually appears at the gangway with hundreds of people buying water for the trips. Just take one out of the mini-bar to save time, it costs the same anyway!

If you do leave the prot you will need your Boarding Card (Account Card) and your passport.

The ship leaves Port Sokhna at 21.30, make sure you get some rest on the coach back as the crew do a show (phillipino crew) that evening which is not to be missed. Its very entertaining but is on at midnight. I actually found some clips on YouTube of it so have a quick look and you'll find out what its about, otherwise don't spoil it and wait and see.

That evening they offered a Tex-Mex buffet in the Lido restaurant which I was looking forward to as I like mexican food. I was really disappointed with what they had to offer.

Lido Restaurant

This is a restaurant with a buffet to choose from. Although they serve you and you don't help yourself. It was a bit frustrating because they served tiny portions and I was forever asking for more.....im a growing lad you see!

I have heard that food on ships was extremely good, and it was ok but not anything to scream about. It was hot but meats crumbled in my mouth so I had nothing to chew and the salad bar was a bit short of well.....salad.

However I'll let you make your own decision. I'd expect to find Lettuce, Beetroot, Pickled Onions. Coleslaw, Cheese, Oils, Dressings, Croutons, Parmesan, Cucumber, Shaved Carrots and hard boiled eggs. Well....you get what I mean. The selection consisted of various lettuce leaves a few pickled onions and a selection of oils and a few other things I can't remember. I like a good salad!!!

The deserts were ok, but im not a big desert fan, my partner said they were really nice. One day they even had home-made cookies which were nice. We were surprised to see them in our packed lunch the next day for our trip in Safaga though!

I mentioned before they had a Tex Mex night. It was diappointing but most nights they had a theme. My favorite night was a curry night. I like spicey food and especially a curry and this was great. It had all the dips and popudoms with various currys, rice and chips etc.

Free Tea and Coffee is available in the machines at the rear of the restaurant and just outside on the Lido Deck. If you look carefully though you will find Nescafé coffee in sachets hidden away.

A glass of water is served with your meal but thats all you get, any more drinks are charged. We were quite cheeky and managed to get them to refill our water. I think you should be provided with at least water with your meal.

The great thing about this ship was the hygiene, maybe other cruises with Thomson or any comapny is the same. A letter is given to you on arrival about Norovirus Gastroenteritis, which is basically a fact-sheet and how you can help to prevent spread of it.

Hand Sanitizers are located outside every door to the restaurants and a quick swipe of the hand under it gave us a squirt. When you leave the ship and get back on you are provided with hand sanitizer before you reboard.

We went to use the Lido restaurant when we were a little tipsy from a late night chat with our new found friends as it was 24hrs. We found nothing was available and the blinds were down over the service area. Someone came and asked us what we wanted but the food had been re-heated.....so we left it and ate our pringles out the mini-bar!!

Safaga

Safaga lies 53km south of Hurghada and is the nearest port for visits to Luxor and Hurghada. As I mentioned earlier the port is an industrial one with little shops outside of the port area and taxis that can take you out and about to the nearby resorts. It is an isolated port so don't expect to find much at all, shore excursions are recommended by Thomson. It is fairly large and a bit of a maze to get out of the port. Hurgahda is a 50min drive away from the port and no shuttle buses are provided here!

Activities on the ship over the two days include a Quiz's, line Dancing, Golf Putting, GHD Hair Styling Session, Basic Ballet Class, Back Stage Tour and Vegetable Carving. Again this port is one in which many people disembark for various excursions to Luxor and Hurghada. You are here for two days before departure to Sharm El Sheik at 22.30 on Wednesday evening.

Safaga Trips: (1) Day One (2) Day Two

(1) Luxor Overnight with Sound and Light Show:- £125/Various Child Prices dependant on age.
(1+2) Hurghada City Transfer:- £12/£6
(1+2) Sol Y Mar Hotel Beach Transfer:- £16/£8
(1+2) Snorkelling by boat:- £20/£10
(1) Hot Air Balloon Ride:- £13h per couple / £90 single
(1+2) Seascope Semi Submarine & Hurghada City:- £35/£17.50
(1+2) Hurghada Shopping and Show:- £26/£13
(2) Paradise Island - Swim and Snorkel:- £49/£25
(2) Luxor - Karnak & The Valley of the Kings:- £70/£35
(1+2) Hurghada Desert Quad Biking:- £36 Over 16 only

The trips are fantastic and well worth the visits to Luxor and to see the valley of the kings. We were on a very tight budget so opted for the Hurghada Desert Quad biking which was interesting and fun. We went to see a bedouin camp but our bums ached by the end of the day.

Some people we had met had done the overnight stay in Luxor and were thrilled with what they got included. It seems expensive but they stayed at a 5* hotel in Luxor and apparently the beds were huge!!! They got to see all the museums, Valley of the kings, Temples of Karnak, The Sound and Light Show and more! There is extra supplements for single rooms at £20 and the child prices varied with age. Bookings were on request due to hotel reservations but quite a few people went and it was a shame we couldn't afford it otherwise it would have been a fantastic trip from what I had heard. Its very busy though with early starts and late finishes with lots to see.

You will need your Boarding Card and Passport if you go ashore in Safaga.

Mr & Mrs show and Miss Celebration were the shows over the two nights. We watched Mr & Mrs which was very funny, we missed Miss Celebration because we got our times mixed up but was told it was good fun!

We left Safaga on the Wednesday night for our return to Sharm El Sheik travelling at 16knots and 72 nautical miles. (Information supplied from our Cruise News)

Sharm El Sheik

It was about time to get ready to leave and I had done all my washing on the last day in Safaga, so it just needed ironing when we got back!
The Cruise News explains what you need to do to check out etc and a suppliment letter also gives detailed information.

A few trips were available to pass the time before your departure from the ship.

Quad Bikes:- £29/Over 16 only
Ras Mohammed by boat:- £32/£16
Glass Bottom Boat:- £19/£9.50

I have not mentioned but Scuba Diving was also available in most of the destinations on the cruise at various prices. A detailed plan is given to you on arrival of all the excursions and prices along with a Scuba Diving sheet.

Sharm el Sheik is a small port but just beyond the entrance is a small beach with bars and restaurants within walking distance. The entrance is a 5/10min walk from the ship. A further 10min walk will get you to the Old Sharm where there is markets and 'bazaar' style shops.

I didnt go to Sharm el Sheik but my grandparents went recently and had a great time, they were welcomed to a table and chatted with some locals who made them tea. They said it can get quite pushy with people enticing you everywhere to look in the shops and buy merchandise. Apparently some beaches incur a charge to use.

Little to do in respect of onboard activities as all the staff are preparing the ship for new arrivals and people tend to either sunbathe or sit around.

Departure

Well after a fun and active week we were ready to go home. We had really enjoyed our first cruise.

A questionnaire was placed in the cabin on the last day in Safaga which you can fill out and leave in the box at reception. You will also have to collect your passports from reception between 8am and 1pm for the second time around before you depart, again stamped left right and centre! You will also have to fill another landing card before you depart which are with your passports when you collect them.

Check out was 10am and you just had to leave your key cards inside the cabin. Your luggage has to be left outside your cabin door before 1am on the last night. So remember to save a clean set of clothes for your return and the rest can be stuffed into your hand luggage. However, once all the bags had been laid out into airport depature we nipped down and placed our used clothes into our cases.

Coutesy rooms were available although we got ourselves ready before we vacated the room. They were available after 11am for about 15-20mins at a time. You were not allowed to keep your own room on.

Any Hand Luggage was allowed to be stowed in the cinema before departure, but we had small bags so kept ours with us.

If you had given your Card details at the port on arrival you didnt need to settle your bill at reception and it would automatically be billed to your credit or debit card. However you are given an itemised statement the night before departure of your expenditure. The great thing was if you go with friends the whole account is on one room but it shows which cards were used and by who so you can settle your own bills between you! I nearly made my partner pay up for all the drinking!!!

Your coach times varied dependant on your flight destination, just collect your luggage from the keyside and pop it onto the coach you get onto.

We gave the ship a big wave after taking various photos of it as we departed from the port. Some passengers went on for a week in Sharm el Sheik.

The airport was chaotic and busy, the excess baggage was charged for carefully, so watch your weight! Security was pretty tight and immigration was a complete nightmare with a huge queue for another security check-point!

The departure lounge was pretty small despite the amount of depatures from various airlines. One side of the terminal was a cloudy stir from the smoking section but with no adequate ventilation, and many smokers crammed into a tiny area. Im a smoker but it made me feel sick. Loads of shops for duty free and souvenirs but flight departures are not that load, the power went in the terminal so many times that I gave up relying on the screens for information. Drinks and snacks are overpriced to more than UK airports!!

Extra Information

Cashpoint:- There is no facilities onboard to withdraw any money using a Credit or debit card. We used a cashpoint at the shopping centre in Cairo for some extra cash, some are available in Aqaba although we didnt see any.

Drinking Water:- the tap water is safe to drink apparently but is chorinated so tastes a bit funny

Electrical:- An american type of two pin plug (not european) is required but dont get a bulky one as it won't fit in the plug socket which happens to be behind a fixed lamp on the dressing table. We found a really good international one was sold on the plane for £15 with many different adaptors, your not allowed to use your own kettle or iron in the room.

Onboard Spending:- It was my first cruise and it is clear without actually using a card or money that onboard spending can quite radically increase with the amounts of hidden extras and high onboard prices. Get a statement reqular from reception

Reception:- Didnt do much other than to sort problems out with the cabin and to exchange money and collect passports. The team were very friendly though.

Entertainment:- The entertainment team were friendly people and always up to something but it was noticeable that some staff did nothing much than to pick a table full of girls (or boys) to sit and chat to in liberties all night and drink and smoke with them. However, the shows were very professional and with live singing.

Conclusion

Would I recommend this cruise: YES

Would I do it again: YES - Why? - Because next time i'll do everything on a bigger budget.

This cruise was great and gave us an insight to what it's all about. The great thing was if you have never been to Egypt or only some parts you can do the lot in a one week cruise around the Red Sea. The Pyramids of Giza, Karnak, The Nile, Petra (In Jordan), Valley of the Kings, Scuba Diving (for which Egypt is known for) and more.

It was a great shame that it was a quick getaway and if I'd have known before I would have waited until I had the money to do the whole shebang! However we made the best of what we had and really had a fantastic time on a low budget.

How much did I spend onboard? We spent £420 which included three trips for the two of us and all our drinks (which we were careful) and some photos and other bits and bobs!

So heres to a great cruise, im converted, and im thinking of booking the Thomson one around the Caribbean next winter!!!! Maybe one day I'll do a big huge P&O ship.... 

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