Costa Europa / Thompson Dream accident

[G.M.T.]

The Costa Europa (soon to be Thompson Dream) hit a pier in Sharm el Sheik a short time ago, 3 crew members died and 4 passengers injured. News is slowly coming through:

http://www.mysinchew.com/node/35623

Ron

[vwgolf]

Sad news and sympathies must be extended to the familes of the people who died. From a personal point of view, I wonder if thsi will have any effect on the handover to Thomson's?

[G.M.T.]

Sad news and sympathies must be extended to the familes of the people who died. From a personal point of view, I wonder if thsi will have any effect on the handover to Thomson's?

Totally agree, it is always sad when there is loss of life.

Here is a link to the original message on the CC Costa board, says the Europa is taking on water (don't know if the OP is a passenger):

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1151797

The Costa Europa is / was due to complete its current cruise in Savona on 4th.March, then two more cruises Savona / Dubai 4th. March - 22nd. March and Dubai / Venice 22nd. March - 9th. April.

When is the first cruise of the Thompson Dream ?? April 2010?

I don't think this accident will have any impact on the handover, first there is at least 6 weeks to go, second it depends on the damage i.e. above the water line is of course a lot easier than below the water line, then the ship would have to be dry docked. I would presume that if the ship cannot be repaired by 4th. March then the remaining cruises would be cancelled or at least shortened or a new itinerary.

Ron

[GeoffH]

Think first cruise for Thomson Dream is 27th April, Mediterranean Classics from Palma.

[john_l]

Very sad, Update from the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8538505.stm

[G.M.T.]

Here are some more links (and photos)

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2869843/Brits-hurt-in-Egyptian-boat-crash.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100226/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_boat_accident

Ron

[Ov3rride]

It does indeed look a nasty bang. At least everyone is ok apart from the crew and the unlucky passengers. RIP.

[perthorchid]

actually 1st cruise is 22nd april from palma . Im on it . 5 nighter.

Im concerned now, i hope they dont cancel.

[GeoffH]

actually 1st cruise is 22nd april from palma . Im on it . 5 nighter.

Im concerned now, i hope they dont cancel.

Yes you are correct. When I did a search on the Thomson website, I was selecting 7 nights, so your cruise did not show up. Thanks for the info. Hope you will still be able to go on it.

[jocap]

We were in Sharm on Celebration 2 weeks ago, when Costa's brand new ship came and moored behind us. The contrast between them was vast- one a little ex-HAL ship doing 7 nights round the Red Sea, the other a gleaming giant on her way to her naming ceremony in Dubai. The talk turned to Costa Europa, and so many people had booked her, and were eagerly waiting for her hand over.
Our thoughts are with the families of those who died, and all the crew who will be in shock.
jocap.

[Stitchman]

I do hope the ship hasn't lost any structural integrity. It seems really queer that not long before thompson took over the calypso it had a bit of a major fire. But I believe the calypso is doing well. So fingers crossed the dream will do well.
But rip to sailors

stitch

[Jim The Scot]

Clearer picture of the damage sustained

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2870891/Brit-terror-as-3-die-in-cruise-ship-crash-in-Sharm-el-Sheikh.html

[Cymro1953]

Here is the latest on the investigation of the cause from Gulfnews.

http://gulfnews.com/news/region/egypt/egypt-investigates-costa-crew-over-pier-crash-1.589533

Berwyn

[davecttr]

Interesting report, opens with a comment that Costa will have to pay for the pier repair, only then mentioning the crew deaths, it then blames the captain before the enquiry is over.

nothing like an impartial enquiry eh folks :rolleyes:

[Cymro1953]

Interesting report, opens with a comment that Costa will have to pay for the pier repair, only then mentioning the crew deaths, it then blames the captain before the enquiry is over.

nothing like an impartial enquiry eh folks :rolleyes:

Hi Dave,
That's what I was thinking.
Mind you the Costa CEO complaining that an unexpected wind blow pushed it against the dock when it's trying to dock in the middle of a storm is a
bit lame.

[Goldryder]

Hi Dave,
That's what I was thinking.
Mind you the Captain complaining that an unexpected wave pushed it against the dock when he's trying to dock in the middle of a storm is a
bit lame.

Last week a tall ship sailing on fairly calm seas off Brazil sank in less than a minute after a squall came from nowhere. Fortunately the 64 people on board - mainly student - escpaed alive & well.

The sea and winds can change in a split second. In 2005 when approaching Ushuaia aboard Norwegian Crown, the winds & currents whipped up hard without notice, the captain & pilot had to have the anchors dropped to slow us down otherwise we would have slammed the quayside.

Saying it is a lame excuse is pretty ungracious. Rogue waves happen anywhere and at any time...even QE2 was subject to one of over 80ft tall once. Just cos the Red Sea is an enclosed sea does not mean that it will be calm 365 days of the year, if anything enclosed seas like the Red, Black & Med are more prone to heavy & unpredictable seas that the oceans. Fill your kitchen sink with water, swish the water around and it gets rough, being in an enclosed area there is nowhere for it to dissipate to and as it gets to the edges those currents and waves get stronger.

So please, before you call anyone's decision or reason 'lame', think about what those crew went through that night and how they are feeling about it.

[Cymro1953]

There was bad weather across the whole area at the time, high seas in Alexandria and hailstorms in Cairo. It was not just a freak gust that came out of nowhere to cause the accident.

[midlandcruiser]

How are you and your wife feeling about your upcoming cruise on Dream at the moment Cmyro? I've never been on a ship before, and I'd be a liar if I said the thought of future problems with it hadn't crossed my mind. I do worry about everything though:eek:

It's only 7 weeks until Thompson take it on it's first cruise on the 22nd April, does anyone know when it was to make it's last cruise for Costa, I wonder if it will affect the handover.

[Cymro1953]

How are you and your wife feeling about your upcoming cruise on Dream at the moment Cmyro? I've never been on a ship before, and I'd be a liar if I said the thought of future problems with it hadn't crossed my mind. I do worry about everything though:eek:

It's only 7 weeks until Thompson take it on it's first cruise on the 22nd April, does anyone know when it was to make it's last cruise for Costa, I wonder if it will affect the handover.

Hi,
I'm OK about it, but Mrs. is worried about any repair leaking when we're aboard. If she's repaired in time, but they've got 8 weeks approx for that.
She loves the cruising but is always worried about being too close to the water. So I have to book cabins as high up as we can afford.

If you worried about everything though you wouldn't get on the plane to go to Palma. Cruising and flying are much safer than driving your car.

[G.M.T.]

It's only 7 weeks until Thompson take it on it's first cruise on the 22nd April, does anyone know when it was to make it's last cruise for Costa, I wonder if it will affect the handover.

The Costa Europa had two remaining cruises before the handover, 4th. March Savona / Dubai and 22nd. March - 9th. April Dubai /Savona. Both these cuises have been removed from all Costa web sites.

Ron

[midlandcruiser]

Cymro, I'm not over keen on the flying bit either:eek: I'm glad you're going first then, if your wife can do it so can I, I just won't be watching Titanic before I go:D

I wonder if they've cancelled their last 2 cruises. I'm off to look on the Costa forum.

[Cymro1953]

Cymro, I'm not over keen on the flying bit either:eek: I'm glad you're going first then, if your wife can do it so can I, I just won't be watching Titanic before I go:D

I wonder if they've cancelled their last 2 cruises. I'm off to look on the Costa forum.

HI,
Ron's just answered your 2nd part . Yes They have.

Mrs. is so bad I have to use a crowbar to get her on the plane. She's usually fine when we get there though.
She hadn't cruised before we went in April 2008 and was nervous, but loves it now as long as we don't go for a cabin in the lower decks where you can see the waves going past the portholes
Best to keep off Disaster movies till you get back. :D

I am browsing around at alternative holidays just in case she's not fixed in time though.

[midlandcruiser]

Just been reading the Costa forum. I'd just be happy that my family were safe and tucked up in a hotel, I don't think I'd be that worried about when my flight home was. I hope Costa will make sure the families that have suffered the loss of loved ones will be well looked after. It's very sad.

[Goldryder]

If you read Ron's post before your last one, he has already said that the last two cruises have been removed from Costa websites.

However that DOES NOT MEAN they are definitely cancelled as yet...no official word has come from Costa since it is still too early to know the full extent of the damage or how long it will take to repair.

[Gemini4321]

Found this on Thomsons news page

http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/travel-news/latest-travel-information.html


Latest news - Costa Europa/Thomson Dream
Costa Cruises have informed us that Costa Europa hit the pier while docking in Sharm El Sheikh port on Friday 26th February. Costa Europa is due to join the Thomson fleet as Thomson Dream in April 2010 and at this time normal booking conditions apply for all customers booked to travel. More information will be communicated as soon as it is available.

Sue

[Cymro1953]

Found this on Thomsons news page

http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/travel-news/latest-travel-information.html


Latest news - Costa Europa/Thomson Dream
Costa Cruises have informed us that Costa Europa hit the pier while docking in Sharm El Sheikh port on Friday 26th February. Costa Europa is due to join the Thomson fleet as Thomson Dream in April 2010 and at this time normal booking conditions apply for all customers booked to travel. More information will be communicated as soon as it is available.

Sue

Hi Sue,
Thanks for that, I've been on there looking for something but missed it.

Berwyn

[Gemini4321]

Been on an Italian news page and there saying the Italian navy that are in the area are helping out


Costa Cruises Spa, the Genoa-based cruise line which owns the ship, said it was now safely moored and undergoing emergency repairs, with the help of a support team from the Italian navy stationed in the area. Costa Cruises Spa, the Genoa-based cruise line which owns the ship, said it was now safely moored and undergoing emergency repairs, with the help of a support team from the Italian navy stationed in the area.

[midlandcruiser]

Where does Europa normally operate from? I've just been reading that they're assisting with the repair and pumping out the water, Hopefully this hasn't done too much damage.

[Cymro1953]

Where does Europa normally operate from? I've just been reading that they're assisting with the repair and pumping out the water, Hopefully this hasn't done too much damage.

Hi Savona I think, but not 100% sure. She was on her way to Rome at the time of accident.

[kruzseeka]

Found this on Thomsons news page

http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/travel-news/latest-travel-information.html


Latest news - Costa Europa/Thomson Dream
Costa Cruises have informed us that Costa Europa hit the pier while docking in Sharm El Sheikh port on Friday 26th February. Costa Europa is due to join the Thomson fleet as Thomson Dream in April 2010 and at this time normal booking conditions apply for all customers booked to travel. More information will be communicated as soon as it is available.

Sue

Thanks, Sue for that link - not only will it be useful for soon-to-travel Thomson Dream passengers to keep up-to-date with current developments (hopefully their schedules will not be affected) but also for any Thomson-travel related issues in the future.

It's a new one to me and I've bookmarked it for future reference.

In the meantime 'Good luck' to all of you with cruises booked on Dream that your trips won't be affected.

But what a dreadful tragedy for the crew and their families and those who have been bereaved.

[Cymro1953]

Thanks Kruzseeka,
They've got nearly 2 months to sort it out.
Like you Sue's Thomson news link was new to me too. I'd been all over their site looking for something.

Just off topic, I see Mrs.c is having another cruise affected by bad weather. This time on Red Sea.

Berwyn

[Goldryder]

It is not looking too good today, Thomsons are in talks with Costa regarding the extent of the damage done to Europa....

http://www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=3208370&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=3763290&CMPI_SHARED_ImageArticleId=3763290&CMPI_SHARED_articleIdRelated=3763290&CMPI_SHARED_ToolsArticleId=3763290&CMPI_SHARED_CommentArticleId=3763290&articleTitle=Damage%20to%20Thomson%27s%20ship%20co uld%20affect%20launch

Hopefully the transfer will go ahead as planned, but it does appear to be a possibility (albeit slight) that it could be delayed.

[yorkshirephil]

Costa have informed one of my work colleagues that their cruise on Europa at the end of March is cancelled.

[Flopsy]

Blinking heck Berwyn- so I can't take a bottle of water on the plane but you can take a crowbar? huh!

HI,
Ron's just answered your 2nd part . Yes They have.

Mrs. is so bad I have to use a crowbar to get her on the plane. She's usually fine when we get there though.
She hadn't cruised before we went in April 2008 and was nervous, but loves it now as long as we don't go for a cabin in the lower decks where you can see the waves going past the portholes
Best to keep off Disaster movies till you get back. :D

I am browsing around at alternative holidays just in case she's not fixed in time though.

[Cymro1953]

Blinking heck Berwyn- so I can't take a bottle of water on the plane but you can take a crowbar? huh!

It's the only way I can get prise hands off the plane doorframe and push her inside Flopsy. :D

We've tried alternatives like coach holidays, but they take so long to get there she said she'd rather put up with the plane

Berwyn

[Chaffesbird]

The dream has been removed from Thomson site. It shows the Destiny doing the Med

[Gemini4321]

Not looking good Berwyn

Read below link from Goldryder




Damage to Thomson's ship could affect launch

Monday, March 01, 2010

Gary Noakes


Thomson is currently in meetings to decide whether its new cruise ship will make its inaugural voyage next month.

The first sailings on Thomson Dream may be postponed after the vessel, currently the Costa Europa, was damaged in Sharm el Sheikh last week. Thomson Dream, which will be based in Palma, is due to make its first cruise, a five- night Western Mediterranean itinerary, on April 22. A decision is likely later today.

The four-star vessel, built in 1986, was damaged when it hit the side of the dock in Sharm el Sheikh last Friday in high winds. Three sailors were killed during the accident and a handful of the 1,473 people onboard injured. The ship has a two-metre hole and extensive damage along its hull.

A Thomson spokeswoman said: “We are currently discussing the extent of the damage and if it will affect delivery.”




Sue

[Cymro1953]

The dream has been removed from Thomson site. It shows the Destiny doing the Med

Hi,
As you can see from our signature we're on the Dream 27th April.
Just been on Thomson's site after your post and she is still being offered for sale. I've just done a trial booking and it took it.

Berwyn

[Goldryder]

Update

http://www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=61139&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=3767247&CMPI_SHARED_ImageArticleId=3767247&CMPI_SHARED_articleIdRelated=3767247&CMPI_SHARED_ToolsArticleId=3767247&CMPI_SHARED_CommentArticleId=3767247

Delays still facing Thomson's new ship

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Gary Noakes

Thomson is still unsure whether its new cruise ship will make its inaugural voyage next month.

The first sailings on Thomson Dream may be postponed after the vessel, currently the Costa Europa, was damaged in Sharm el Sheikh last week. Thomson Dream, which will be based in Palma, is due to make its first cruise, a five-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, on April 22.

A decision had been due following a meeting on Monday, but in a statement, the operator said: “At this stage we are still unsure of the extent of the damage caused and if this will have an effect on the ship joining the Thomson fleet. More information will be communicated when available. Normal booking procedures apply.”

The four-star vessel, built in 1986, was damaged when it hit the side of the dock in Sharm el Sheikh last Friday in high winds. Three sailors were killed during the accident and a handful of the 1,473 people onboard injured. The ship has a two-metre hole and extensive damage along its hull.

They won't withdraw the cruises from the schedule until absolutely certain that the ship will not make it in time. She is having temporary repairs done in Sharm before being sailed to a shipyar - probably Fincantieri Palermo - for full repairs. Now that the last two cruises for Costa have been cancelled she will probably have her refurbishment done at the same time to be ready for Thomsons next month.

Currently though it is in the lap of the Gods as to whether or not she will be ready....the hole is extremely big and the hull extensively damaged right above the stabiliser, so til they get her into drydock and out of the water completely they really will not know how bad things are or what will be needed to restore her to functional use.

[Jim The Scot]

Thanks for the update Goldryder

Nerve tingling stuff for those booked on the earlier cruises.I don`t sail on her till early July so should be okay

[Cymro1953]

Thanks Ally and Sue,

I've got plans for alternate holiday for the dates just in case.

If they cancel the 1st cruise DW doesn't fancy being the guinea pig if ours becomes the 1st a week later. She's worried about the repair leaking.

Berwyn

[Cymro1953]

Thomson's have just posted a phone number on the travel information section of their website.

No help at all, as far as they are concerned the ship is still going to be cruising as normal.
If I want any more info to contact Costa.

Berwyn

[sunbather11]

:)Hi i rang thomsons this morning and the bloke on the phone informed me that they had replaced the panels and that the ship was due to do sea trials for a couple of weeks, i have booked to go on the dream in july and have thought about changing my holiday to a land based one but i really want to go on this ship so i am going to wait a couple of weeks to see what happens.This ship was lenghtened in the early stages of its life.

[Cymro1953]

Hi Sunbather,

At least you got a bit more info than I did and I only phoned about 10 min ago.
(12.45pm,).

We'll see how things go.

Berwyn

[Cymro1953]

:)Hi i rang thomsons this morning and the bloke on the phone informed me that they had replaced the panels and that the ship was due to do sea trials for a couple of weeks,

P.S. Sunbather,
My timings might be out, but surely they can't have got her back to the proper dry dock in Italy to assess the damage let alone a proper repair.

Berwyn

[Jim The Scot]

P.S. Sunbather,
My timings might be out, but surely they can't have got her back to the proper dry dock in Italy to assess the damage let alone a proper repair.

Berwyn

Was thinking that myself Berwyn or it contradicts Goldryders post earlier this morning.

Could be a case of those answering the phones at Thomson having been told what to say ie sunbathers post and not actually knowing the exact script with the ship,otherwise it may have an impact on bookings

[vwgolf]

I'm not due to travel until August so everything should be OK by then (fingers crossed!). I'll start looking through the brochures, though, just in case!

[Cymro1953]

Hi Jim,
Very true as we both got different answers.

They are still offering her for sale though for 27th April.
The TTG live website that Goldryder provided the link for now says in the news section
Delays still facing Thomson's new ship
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Gary Noakes

Thomson is still unsure whether its new cruise ship will make its inaugural voyage next month.

The first sailings on Thomson Dream may be postponed after the vessel, currently the Costa Europa, was damaged in Sharm el Sheikh last week. Thomson Dream, which will be based in Palma, is due to make its first cruise, a five-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, on April 22.

The word that bothers me is "Sailings", it looks like we might no be going.

Berwyn

[Goldryder]

More details have emerged regarding the damage and repair schedule for Costa Europa. Costa said there was damage to one watertight compartment of the Europa’s hull area. Some crew cabins and parts of the engine room were damaged, too. Repairs will be completed over the next month in Palermo, Italy. U.K.-based Thomson Cruises is slated to charter the 25-year-old, 1,488-passenger Europa for a 10-year term, beginning in April. Costa said it is confident that repairs will be completed within 30 days.

[eightofninekev]

What happens if they cancel the 27thof Aprill, thats the one im going on with my parents. Would it be worth looking into alternate cruises ?

[Goldryder]

What happens if they cancel the 27thof Aprill, thats the one im going on with my parents. Would it be worth looking into alternate cruises ?

Your best bet is not to panic and keep an eye on the Thomson website for updates.

Thomson's will contact you in good time if there is ANY chance of a problem, which at this stage there does not appear to be.

[Cymro1953]

What happens if they cancel the 27thof Aprill, thats the one im going on with my parents. Would it be worth looking into alternate cruises ?

Thanks Goldryder for the extra info.

As Goldryder says, hang on in there Kev. I'll see you on board for a drink yet.

Berwyn

P.S.
Mind you I've browsed around for a few alternative holidays for same dates just in case. :)

[perthorchid]

i am on the 1st cruise 22nd april. I emailed thompson and was told as the ship still belongs to costa they couldnt comment and would tell me if anything happens. If its cancelled will thompson put me on another cruise or refund. But what about my domestic flight and hotel from scotland to london the night before. My insurance wont cover that.

[vwgolf]

i am on the 1st cruise 22nd april. I emailed thompson and was told as the ship still belongs to costa they couldnt comment and would tell me if anything happens. If its cancelled will thompson put me on another cruise or refund. But what about my domestic flight and hotel from scotland to london the night before. My insurance wont cover that.

I would imagine that if early cruises have to be cancelled then you would get a refund rather than automatically be put on an alternative cruise. Unfortunately your domestic arrangments will not be covered as they don't form part of the cruise package. I wouldn't panic just yet though as there is still some time to go!

[plane_sailing]

Goldryder: Can I ask, is this info definate? I have searched high and low on the internet to try and find info about what is happening to the ship but cannot find any info at all. It is good to read your posts but I am wondering where the info is from and if there will be any updates - where is the ship now? Still in Sharm or sailing back? I cannot see the ship on AIS website (marine traffic tracking site) either.

Thanks for all of the info so far!

[Cymro1953]

i am on the 1st cruise 22nd april. I emailed thompson and was told as the ship still belongs to costa they couldnt comment and would tell me if anything happens. If its cancelled will thompson put me on another cruise or refund. But what about my domestic flight and hotel from scotland to london the night before. My insurance wont cover that.


Hi,
We have taken out the travel insurance from Thomson's (Mondial ). In there it says Cancellation period of cover begins from the date on the invoice when you booked it to the start of the trip.

It also says the trip is classified as from when it starts from home. So it should cover your domestic flight and hotel if yours has similar conditions to ours.

Berwyn

[vwgolf]

Hi,
We have taken out the travel insurance from Thomson's (Mondial ). In there it says Cancellation period of cover begins from the date on the invoice when you booked it to the start of the trip.

It also says the trip is classified as from when it starts from home. So it should cover your domestic flight and hotel if yours has similar conditions to ours.

Berwyn

I'm not so sure. You may be right but it would be worth checking the small print to be on the safe side.

[sunbather11]

:cool:Has anyone been on you tube and seen the actual damage to the ship i dont think i fancy going on it now i might have to think of a land based holiday even more now i think i am bit scared of sailing now i wish i had never looked.

[Cymro1953]

:cool:Has anyone been on you tube and seen the actual damage to the ship i dont think i fancy going on it now i might have to think of a land based holiday even more now i think i am bit scared of sailing now i wish i had never looked.

Hi,
I haven't seen that one. And I haven't shown DW the close up pic of the hole that Jim posted either.
But she's have to do sea trials and pass safety checks before they let us loose on her.

Like you she's worried about going and we have been looking at hotel options just in case our cruise is cancelled.

Berwyn

[Gemini4321]

I found this on another forum and translated it through google, some of the posts dont translate very well but there are a few photos I haven't seen before, 4 pages to go through.

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://voyageforum.com/&ei=1riOS_7_NIOy0gTc54XpDA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DVoyageForum.com%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

hope link works

Sue

[Cymro1953]

Hi Sue,
It works fine thank you. It just takes you to the main page though
For others just scroll down to the cruises section and you'll find the thread.

Berwyn

[vwgolf]

:cool:Has anyone been on you tube and seen the actual damage to the ship i dont think i fancy going on it now i might have to think of a land based holiday even more now i think i am bit scared of sailing now i wish i had never looked.

Don't worry about it. People always seem to worry more about the improbable than they do the probable. As I always say to my wife, there's more chance of having an accident on the way to the airport than there is on the airplane or ship!

[steelerannie]

:cool:Has anyone been on you tube and seen the actual damage to the ship i dont think i fancy going on it now i might have to think of a land based holiday even more now i think i am bit scared of sailing now i wish i had never looked.

You could apply that logic to anything and then you'd never leave the house!!! I just try not to think of "what could happen" - just go and enjoy the cruise!!

Ann

[vwgolf]

This is not a Thomson's story but coming so soon after the recent tragedy I thought it would make interesting reading:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8548547.stm

[driverman]

have pics of the europa will put them on soon as just got back and going to ireland tomorrow for 5 days to visit son , the thomson head man was at sharm to see the damage and make some decisions so we might hear something soon

[perthorchid]

my cruise, the dream 22nd april (5 nights) is still on sale on the thomson site. that has to be good hasnt it.. Does anyone know if the costa europa is still in Sharm or on her way to Palermo. I can find nothing anywhere on line regarding the moving of the ship.

[Cymro1953]

my cruise, the dream 22nd april (5 nights) is still on sale on the thomson site. that has to be good hasnt it.. Does anyone know if the costa europa is still in Sharm or on her way to Palermo. I can find nothing anywhere on line regarding the moving of the ship.

Hi,
Like you have been scouring sites for information. Nothing since the 2nd of March.

I think Thomson's will keep both our cruises up for sale until they get a definite yes or no from Costa re the completion of repairs.

Berwyn

[davecttr]

my cruise, the dream 22nd april (5 nights) is still on sale on the thomson site. that has to be good hasnt it.. Does anyone know if the costa europa is still in Sharm or on her way to Palermo. I can find nothing anywhere on line regarding the moving of the ship.
We might fnd out in the next day or so as Celebration should have done her changeover there yesterday. Passengers will all be home by now and perhaps someone will tell us if the Europa was still there. Meanwhile I take an occasional look at a live ships web site to see if I can catch her at the straits of Messina.

[barnowl1950]

Hi everyone, arrived home from Celebration last night, yes the Costa Europa/Dream is still there in Sharm El Sheikh and in a sort of "tilting" position, it's all so sad that this has happened...... we were stunned to here the news last week, people here were phoning relatives on Celebration as they were unsure which ship they were sailing on, so were worried of course. I feel so sad for the people who lost their lives and their families.

[davecttr]

Did you ntice if there was any work being done to her? Towards the stern low down near the rear gangway.

[Cymro1953]

Thank you Barnowl. It's not been a good week for cruise news at all.

I hope you had a good cruise though, despite the weather.

Berwyn

[barnowl1950]

Hi Dave... we sailed ashore in lifeboats yesterday at 1.15pm (11.15am here) there were a group of men wearing yellow jackets standing around by the Costa Europa/Dream (ascessing the situation I suppose) but saw no sign of repairs being carried out at the time i'm afraid, so that's all i can say really, perhaps others who returned a bit later may know more. Wish I could have given more hopeful news.

Carole.

[Cymro1953]

Hi Dave... we sailed ashore in lifeboats yesterday at 1.15pm (11.15am here) there were a group of men wearing yellow jackets standing around by the Costa Europa/Dream (ascessing the situation I suppose) but saw no sign of repairs being carried out at the time i'm afraid, so that's all i can say really, perhaps others who returned a bit later may know more. Wish I could have given more hopeful news.

Carole.

Thanks Carole,
I know it sounds selfish in view of the tragic circumstances but not looking good for Us in April.
Costa spokeswoman said the other day it will take 30 days to repair. I take it that is from the time they get her back to the shipyard in Sicily.
Italian naval ship was supposed to be there helping put a patch on her to make her seaworthy.

Berwyn

[davecttr]

It would probably be 6-7 days at a reduced speed back to Palermo so if she sailed today or tomorrow there would still be 30 days in the shipyard before the handover. Hopefully the Egyptians are not holding things up 'pending investigations', if they are she could still be there for a looong time!.

[Cymro1953]

It would probably be 6-7 days at a reduced speed back to Palermo so if she sailed today or tomorrow there would still be 30 days in the shipyard before the handover. Hopefully the Egyptians are not holding things up 'pending investigations', if they are she could still be there for a looong time!.

Thanks Dave, I knew I could count on you to cheer me up. Not!! :)

Berwyn

[davecttr]

Oops, sorry
Perhaps the 30 day period includes time spent in Sharm

[Cymro1953]

I doubt it very much. Especially if the Egyptians move as fast as they did when we were out there. Slow and stop.
I've done my research and have got several holiday ideas lined up for same dates in case it's cancelled.

Berwyn

[barnowl1950]

Thank you Barnowl. It's not been a good week for cruise news at all.

I hope you had a good cruise though, despite the weather.

Berwyn

Thanks Cymro1953 yes on the whole we did, the entertainment, food and crew were excellent and the ship absolutely immaculate throughout. We had been looking forward to Petra for 15 months (booked Nov 08 just to cheer me up a bit 2 days after my lovely Labrador died aged 15 1/2)..... so were disappointed of course but it couldn't be helped, and will teach me not to take things for granted I suppose. Did go ashore at Aqaba in the afternoon and enjoyed a pleasant stroll around the shops, the local people there were so polite, we never got pestered to buy things like you do in Egypt. Also did Wadi Rum where we had some rain so ran into the Bedouin tent for shelter but the tent leaked and in the end the trip was cut short a little. Went to Cairo museum and Pyramids the museum wasn't at all crowded which was nice and the temperature outside was a pleasant 23/24c so was comfortable inside too. Also all the flights seemed to leave Sharm airport on time, ours arrived back at Birmingham half an hour early last night at 9pm we had no bother at all leaving Egypt, but on arriving some luggage started coming out on the carousel then it suddenly stopped for about 30 or 40 minutes, don't think there were enough staff to cope with it all. Anyway back to reality, will stay in touch and thanks to everyone for your best wishes before I went away,


Carole.

p.s came home to some news of a friend who suffered a bad stroke just when we started to sail from Sharm to Aqaba so we're off to the hospital later.

[Cymro1953]

Hi Carole,
We heard about no Petra from mrs.c's hubby who did a quick "live from" on the ship.
It's hard when you lose the pets, we've had 2 dogs go both at Christmas each time. We 've still got the daughter of our 2nd dog and she's 14 at present.

Berwyn

[barnowl1950]

Hi Carole,
We heard about no Petra from mrs.c's hubby who did a quick "live from" on the ship.
It's hard when you lose the pets, we've had 2 dogs go both at Christmas each time. We 've still got the daughter of our 2nd dog and she's 14 at present.

Berwyn

Sounds silly now but I had no idea I would book a cruise that day, had just finished work in the afternoon and felt upset in the town centre, then found myself heading towards Thomsons (as you do) and came out half an hour later with tickets for Red Sea Magic, promenade deck and free A/I too, making sure I would not be going to work on my 60th. Hubby was pleased when he arrived home from work later :)

[barnowl1950]

Hi Dave... we sailed ashore in lifeboats yesterday at 1.15pm (11.15am here) there were a group of men wearing yellow jackets standing around by the Costa Europa/Dream (ascessing the situation I suppose) but saw no sign of repairs being carried out at the time i'm afraid, so that's all i can say really, perhaps others who returned a bit later may know more. Wish I could have given more hopeful news.

Carole.

Just a thought everyone, but is it possible they could have finished patching it up before we arrived at sharm the other day only i never saw a hole in the ship as we sailed past in the lifeboat but didn't know what to look for anyway, as we heard most of the details of the accident after arriving home yesterday the news on Celebration t.v focused mostly on Chilian earthquake, just trying to help a bit more.

Carole

[Cymro1953]

Hi Carole,
Thank you for the extra info. From the pictures the hole is no more than head height above the dockside and apparently about 7 foot long.
So unless they landed you close to the right bit of the Europa it might be hard to see.
It never seemed to make the TV news. Pics were in all the online versions of newspapers.

Even if they have put a temporary patch on her if they don't move her soon there will be no way they will get her back to Sicily for 30 days repairs and then handover to Thomson's on the correct date.

It must have taken a good while to tender you all ashore and luggage too.

I hope your friend who had the stroke is coming along OK.

Berwyn

[davecttr]

Just a thought, steel plates are not the sort of thing you would expect to find at Sharm port. Maybe they have to fabricate the patch elsewhere and get it shipped in by sea or use flat plates and have some very big hammers!.

[Cymro1953]

Just a thought, steel plates are not the sort of thing you would expect to find at Sharm port. Maybe they have to fabricate the patch elsewhere and get it shipped in by sea or use flat plates and have some very big hammers!.

Hi Dave,
I was thinking, it's going to get close to the cut off point soon where there's no way she'll be handed over to Thomson's on time for the April cruises.
Someone at Thomson's should make the decision to abandon them and sort us out.
Otherwise between the 2 cruises they'll have 3000 angry customers looking for a last minute holiday.

Berwyn

[jojo67]

Hi Dave... we sailed ashore in lifeboats yesterday at 1.15pm (11.15am here) there were a group of men wearing yellow jackets standing around by the Costa Europa/Dream (ascessing the situation I suppose) but saw no sign of repairs being carried out at the time i'm afraid, so that's all i can say really, perhaps others who returned a bit later may know more. Wish I could have given more hopeful news.

Carole.

Carole,

I've probably missed something obvious but why did you need to sail ashore in the lifeboats :confused:

[barnowl1950]

Hi Berwyn I think the Dublin flight left the ship first at 5.am, was woken at 3.40am by lady thoughtfully yelling loudly outside cabin on deck 6 "come on, come on" and "be careful with the suitcase please" :rolleyes: :) and noise of lifeboats..... then rest of us left at intervals from around lunchtime 2 or 3 flights at a time, all very well organized with no trouble identifying luggage ashore, each flight had a coloured card attached, ours was pink.

Thanks for your kind words about our friend, it's the first time he's had a stroke ... can't move his left arm and leg at all, could'nt speak very well all week but that improved yesterday, can't swallow either and has been sick a lot too he's 64 it's a clot on the brain, can't believe that it happened the moment we began to sail the first night. I think he'll be on the mend but could be a long job.

Carole

[barnowl1950]

Hi Jo ....could be the Costa Europa/Dream was stuck where the Celebration normally docks :)

Hubby has just handed me the letter we received on the Celebration the night before, headed Departure Information For Thursday - it goes "Due to the berthing position in the port of Sharm El Sheikh on Thursday, a tender service will be in operation to transfer all guests from the ship to the shore".

Carole :)

[Cymro1953]

Thanks for your kind words about our friend, it's the first time he's had a stroke ... can't move his left arm and leg at all, could'nt speak very well all week but that improved yesterday, can't swallow either and has been sick a lot too he's 64 it's a clot on the brain, can't believe that it happened the moment we began to sail the first night. I think he'll be on the mend but could be a long job.

Carole

Hi Carole,
Hopefully the fact his speech is improving is a good sign. I have nursed them from those who when better you wouldn't know they'd had one, to others like my mother who never regained conciousness.
Thank you for all the info from Sharm. it will come in handy when I ring Thomson's helpline again next week.

Berwyn

[barnowl1950]

Hi again Berwyn, thanks for that... hope the situation with Europa/Dream becomes clearer for you and everyone else in the next few days, will keep my fingers crossed.

Carole.

[jojo67]

Hi Jo ....could be the Costa Europa/Dream was stuck where the Celebration normally docks :)

Hubby has just handed me the letter we received on the Celebration the night before, headed Departure Information For Thursday - it goes "Due to the berthing position in the port of Sharm El Sheikh on Thursday, a tender service will be in operation to transfer all guests from the ship to the shore".

Carole :)

:o I did wonder! Assumed that Sharm would have more than the one berth though. Glad to read that your friend is recovering too.

[barnowl1950]

Thanks for that Jo.....and I agree with you completely, I was just guessing really as I couldn't think of another reason why we had to leave the ship that way, never been on a proper cruise before (only a Nile cruise) and it was a bit of a mystery to us, no trouble though :)

[Cymro1953]

On Google Earth the satellite pic shows 2 piers sticking out that could take 4 ships and a long concrete looking area on the east side with a ship tied up there.

Berwyn

[barnowl1950]

Just had a look at that Berwyn and got hubby to come over...he thinks that's the Europa as it was on the corner (never noticed that myself but he's more observant than me) he reckons it is still leaning to one side but it appears more up-right to me.

[Cymro1953]

I'm not sure how old the photos are they use for the maps. If we look at our house you can see a motorhome in the drive and we sold it over 2 years ago.

Berwyn

[barnowl1950]

I've noticed a post about the Europa/Dream on the other site and they've basically said the same as me.

[Cymro1953]

No it's definitely not the Costa Europa. The position of the ship is wrong as you said, and she's the wrong shape.

[davecttr]

The cruise ships use the large concrete area on the east side of the harbour and at 1700 feet long it can accomodate two ships of Europas size

Europa at Sharm in January from Thomsons Celebration

[perthorchid]

this is sheer guess work on my part as i am nowhere near as good as you lot but is there a site anywhere. like the sharm port authority which would list which ships were presently in their area. they must be paying fees and therefore registered within the dock.

I know (or maybe i just think) that you used to be able to see which ships were coming and going from Leith dock in edinburgh. It was in the local paper.

If she has not moved from sharm yet, i am getting very worried. Also what are thomson doing>>>> They have no update on their info page and no hint if we are sailing on 22nd april at all. A probability would be good and an idea of what is on offer if we dont. They are still selling the 22nd 5 nighter on their site

[kruzseeka]

this is sheer guess work on my part as i am nowhere near as good as you lot but is there a site anywhere. like the sharm port authority which would list which ships were presently in their area. they must be paying fees and therefore registered within the dock.

I know (or maybe i just think) that you used to be able to see which ships were coming and going from Leith dock in edinburgh. It was in the local paper.

If she has not moved from sharm yet, i am getting very worried. Also what are thomson doing>>>> They have no update on their info page and no hint if we are sailing on 22nd april at all. A probability would be good and an idea of what is on offer if we dont. They are still selling the 22nd 5 nighter on their site

Good suggestion about the port authority perthorchid - I'll have a go at that in a minute (although I wouldn't be too optimistic about them being on the ball and up-to-date at Sharm if the airport's anything to go by:rolleyes: !). The sites I know which show the timetable for ship visits frequently don't list any of the Thomson ships. I often check to see how many other ships are likely to be in port when we are visiting and we're not even being down to be there and when we do arrive at ports the info isn't always accurate (not counting our non-existence on the list!).

I've looked for Costa Europa on the live tracking site sveral times (I think Berwyn's been looking too) and the latest entry was for 19/02/10 somewhere near Dubai I think - so that's not been up-dated for weeks.

I can apreciate how important it is for you all to be getting some information - you are hanging on not knowing whether you're going on holiday or not at the moment. Best of luck to you all - I hope things are already moving in terms of repair and that it gets sorted quickly -and that you get some information soon (hopefully positive news). :)

[kruzseeka]

This is the only site I could find - seems quite good but with no info that I could find on ships currently berthed there. There is a news link blamimg the Capt for the disaster. The links are below:

http://www.mts.gov.eg/shipreport/dvm.aspx?portid=SHR

http://www.mts.gov.eg/news/index_details.aspx?news_id=8411&category_id=4&y=4

I'm having trouble getting them to load on 'Preview' - hope it's ok for you but if not, google the site address.

All the best to you all. :)

[Cymro1953]

G
I've looked for Costa Europa on the live tracking site sveral times (I think Berwyn's been looking too) and the latest entry was for 19/02/10 somewhere near Dubai I think - so that's not been up-dated for weeks.

I can apreciate how important it is for you all to be getting some information - you are hanging on not knowing whether you're going on holiday or not at the moment. Best of luck to you all - I hope things are already moving in terms of repair and that it gets sorted quickly -and that you get some information soon (hopefully positive news). :)

Hi Kruzseeka and all,

Yes I have been looking for her. The reason she doesn't show up on the Liveships tracking site is that the Red Sea and Sinai are not covered by the areas they scan. Dubai is and that's why she's still showing as there. She won't be picked up by the tracker until she is out in the Med. And even then it won't cover the very South part near the N. African coast.

Usually it's pretty good if ships are in range.

I mentioned in an earlier post it must be getting close to the cut off time before Thomson's have to admit there will be no April cruises.
I don't know how Perthorchid feels, but in one way I wish they'd tell us it's no go so we can sort an alternative out. Don't want to be told early to mid April and we end up with no holiday at all.
I am sat here with a pile of Thomson's brochures, (well 3 actually :D), that have hotel holidays in the same date period.
DW and I are stuck with the date and she can't move, so cruises either side are out of the question.

Berwyn

[perthorchid]

cymro,
i really want to go on THIS cruise. Reason being, its my first on my own since my husband richard died last november. We loved cruising and we loved the south of france, Nice in particular. So as its our anniversary while the cruise is on, i wanted to go to nice and visit the cours saleya . it will be just one day out (we're in florence on actual date, but weve been there too)

I know thomson have other cruises going around same date but mostly to red sea area. I would take it but its not what i planned.

I maybe being selfish as its not what the crew on europa planned either .

[Cymro1953]

cymro,
i really want to go on THIS cruise. Reason being, its my first on my own since my husband richard died last november. We loved cruising and we loved the south of france, Nice in particular. So as its our anniversary while the cruise is on, i wanted to go to nice and visit the cours saleya . it will be just one day out (we're in florence on actual date, but weve been there too)

I know thomson have other cruises going around same date but mostly to red sea area. I would take it but its not what i planned.

I maybe being selfish as its not what the crew on europa planned either .

Hi,
Yes it does sound selfish of us I suppose after the deaths of the 3 crew men.
I just want to get the uncertainty out of the way. It's just when I rang the helpline last week I knew more than the chap at the Thomson's end.

We want do do it as it calls in Rome and Villefranche. We've been to the others on the Island Escape.
I never thought about Nice though, I was concentrating on staying in Villefranche or Monte Carlo.

Ah wwell we'll see how it goes over the next week.

Berwyn

[perthorchid]

:)i've actually stayed in villefranche, we had an apartment at the old harbour , way along past the citidel. Villefranche is pretty but its just a wee place and you would find it difficult to fill a full day, on the other hand the train runs from there into nice or monaco. just a short hop. I'm planning to walk up the hill and take the bus into nice. It is nearer the waterfront and the flower market (cours saleya in the old town) The railway station is further into town, although there is a great tram system now, 1 euro i think. Monaco has the palace, and the cathedral where princess grace is buried and jaques cousteau aquarium and a great wee train which takes you around monaco and montecarlo.

I love nice best of all though. It is a big busy city which fronts onto the ocean like a seaside resort. the old town is fantastic for wandering in and the market the best place to sit with a demi-pichet of vin rose and watch the flower sellers and the passing people.
If you get a good table you can sit in the sunshine and let it seep into your bones relaxing you. That is my plan. Lunch at the cafe de fleur , with the rose wine and 25 years of memories of happy visits to this wonderful place.

[Cymro1953]

cymro,
i really want to go on THIS cruise. .

Hi,
If it all goes pear shaped all is not lost. If you can move the dates a few days, NCL has a cruise on Norwegian Jade called Mediterranean Treasures going on 25th April. Going from Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Rome, Naples, Palma and back to Barcelona. And if you don't want to Do Niece D-I-Y, they have excursions calling there.

Berwyn

[Cymro1953]

Hi,
This is over on Cruise Critic News page,

Update, March 5, noon EST: David Selby, Head of Thomson Cruises, told Cruise Critic that the delivery date for Thomson Dream is still as scheduled. We'll let you know as soon as we learn more.

Berwyn

[Mack11]

Were going on it in September, but have friends due to go on it's first sailing, but that's fabulous news!!

[Cymro1953]

Were going on it in September, but have friends due to go on it's first sailing, but that's fabulous news!!

Hi Mack,
I'm phoning Thomson's this afternoon to see if I can get any concrete information out of them for us. I'll stick it on a new thread whatever I hear from them.

Berwyn

[Mack11]

Hi Mack,
I'm phoning Thomson's this afternoon to see if I can get any concrete information out of them for us. I'll stick it on a new thread whatever I hear from them.

Berwyn
Just seen your new post and i need surgery to get the grin off my face!! :D

[Cymro1953]

Just seen your new post and i need surgery to get the grin off my face!! :D

Don't count your chickens yet Mack. I'm not going to get too excited till at least the end of next week. I want to see her moving from Sharm first.

Berwyn

[G.M.T.]

In the last couple of hours the Europa / Dream's spped has dropped from 18 to 11 knots, looks like it has hit a storm with winds in the 80 kph range.

Ron

[Cymro1953]

In the last couple of hours the Europa / Dream's spped has dropped from 18 to 11 knots, looks like it has hit a storm with winds in the 80 kph range.

Ron

Hi Ron,
Yes I noticed earlier. Also she was in what looked like shipping lanes with a lot of ferry traffic. All the other ships in the area around her were doing similar speeds.

Berwyn

[prettyblue_eyes]

I was on that ship, and before the disastrous crash, which by the way, was not in rough seas, I had 2 bouts of food poison.

Many had similar issues. "Hot food", was usually "warm", what should have been "Cold", was cool, or even room temp.

The bathrooms are disgusting in the cabins. This ship would have to be completely refurbed to be acceptable, and I mean gutted.

Think long and hard fellow cruisers. We will never ever travel costa again. Reliability is measured upon how an emergency is handled.

We were lied to, we were trapped in the stairwell for more than 2 hours trying to get off, with 1400 people, all told to disembark on the same stairwell.

Idiots bringing luggage after being told not to, and then abandoning them on the stairs.

Being left a hotels with absolutely no communication from anyone of authority from Costa.

Being lied to again and again, and finally dumped in Rome with NO connecting flights.

The poor Swede's and Fin's told to find their own way home from there along with other "miscellaneous" travel nationalities.

Only Brits, Germans, Italians, and French (possibly Dutch), were sent home.

The rest were either dumped in Rome to find their own way home at their own expense, or put in a hotel and lied to daily of pending flights tomorrow to home. Well tomorrow only came, when our own arrangements on Mar 4 kicked in, only to be flown back to Genoa, and have to pay for our luggage to accompany us at a whopping 200 euro's per bag.

This is only the tip of the iceburg so you all think long and hard.

[vwgolf]

Sounds like you had a rough time, pretty blue eyes, although most of the other comments I've read regarding the incident don't match your experiences. Let's just hope that Thomson's sort out the issues with the "hot" food and bathrooms before I sail in August!

[davecttr]

I am not concerned about the Dream and prettyblue eyes comments because the ship will be run by Thomsons and not Costa!. Thomson are hot on safety, you will not be able to avoid the boat drill etc etc. As for the bathrooms, Thomson cruisers are used to older 'tired' facilities and as long as they are well maintained and kept clean no problem.

It is good that Thomsons will be doing a refit in autumn after the experiences and lessons of the summer season are absorbed.

ps anybody else still got a avocado bathroom suite? :D:eek:

[kruzseeka]

I am not concerned about the Dream and prettyblue eyes comments because the ship will be run by Thomsons and not Costa!. Thomson are hot on safety, you will not be able to avoid the boat drill etc etc. As for the bathrooms, Thomson cruisers are used to older 'tired' facilities and as long as they are well maintained and kept clean no problem.

It is good that Thomsons will be doing a refit in autumn after the experiences and lessons of the summer season are absorbed.

ps anybody else still got a avocado bathroom suite? :D:eek:

I agree with you Dave. Any organisational deficiences experienced by prettyblue eyes - some of which specifically related to the situation after the accident - was the fault of Costa. Also, as regular Thomson travellers with Thomson will know, hygiene is taken extremely seriously so the poster's experience of food poisoning on Costa is irrelevant (although I'm sorry that the poster was ill). It only becomes an issue for us if those problems are apparent on the Dream.

The condition of the ship and bathrooms may be one to note - but if they are kept spotlessly clean (a feature of Thomson's housekeeping) and they are comfortable if somewhat dated, like avocado dave :D, I can live with that.

Provided the same Thomson 'product' is evident on Dream - fabulous crew (a proportion of Celebration waiters is reportedly transferring so I imagine the standards will be much the same), excellent entertainment, fair pricings (bar and excursions), good hygiene and great, friendly atmosphere on board then I'll be happy! Only wish I was booked to go on her sometime soon! :D

[Cymro1953]

Morning Kruzseeka and Dave.
Thomson's running her will be a completely different game to Costa.
And with staff transferring over it should go fairly smoothly at the beginning for us early cruisers. (Thanks for the info on that Kruzseeka)
And if Stephen Guy is as good as everyone says we will be fine on the entertainment side too.

The excursions are much more reasonable than the U.S. lines. We were due to do a similar itinerary to this on the Grand Princess in Sept. And for example the tour of Rome we want is £72 with Thomson's compared to £130 with Princess. :eek:

Berwyn

[jenny wren]

I agree with you all...having travelled with Costa and Thomson I know which line I prefer!!!!!

I am sure the chaotic situation described by prettyblueeyes would never had happened if Thomson had been in charge.....their organisational skills are second to none. They are also the only cruise line we've been on who are so vigorous with the antiseptic hand gel, on our recent cruise we were all sprayed with it each time we reentered our coach on our trip to Cairo !!

[davecttr]

I agree with you all...having travelled with Costa and Thomson I know which line I prefer!!!!!

I am sure the chaotic situation described by prettyblueeyes would never had happened if Thomson had been in charge.....their organisational skills are second to none. They are also the only cruise line we've been on who are so vigorous with the antiseptic hand gel, on our recent cruise we were all sprayed with it each time we reentered our coach on our trip to Cairo !!

On I slight sour note do these organisational skills extend to Thomsons head office? Some may say no.

On my trip to Cairo the local kids got hand gel as well, luckily there was plenty left for us.

[Cymro1953]

On I slight sour note do these organisational skills extend to Thomsons head office? Some may say no.


I'd agree there Dave. If H.O. knows anything they are not passing it on to the boys and girls manning the helpline. As the one I spoke to last week said "you are more informed than me". When I told her the ship was docked in Palermo.


Berwyn

[G.M.T.]

I'm sure Costa and Thompson are not saying anything publicly (so not letting anything out of the bag) until all claims (including insurance) have been assessed.

With regards to "prettyblue_eyes" message, this is a typical me me me cruiser, not one word of remorse about the crew members that died.

Ron

[jojo67]

Prettyblue Eyes, you obviously had a bad experience which has left a nasty taste but don't go scaremongering on this forum! In my experience Thomson guests are a loyal bunch who choose to sail with Thomson for their top quality friendly service, fab entertainment, good food & excellent staff, as opposed to huge modern glitzy ships with no soul! So as she will no longer be a Costa ship when we all sail, I don't think any of the issues you've raised will be an issue .

[jenny wren]

I personally have never had any dealings with Head Office so couldn't comment on that side of things ! I was meaning more the embarkation/disembarkation organisation....

[Cymro1953]

I personally have never had any dealings with Head Office so couldn't comment on that side of things ! I was meaning more the embarkation/disembarkation organisation....

Hi Jenny,
Yes the staff on the ground are excellent. Really organised in shifting us from plane to ship and back. And similar experiences too on hotel holidays with them in the past.


Berwyn