5 star, new ship. Do your research

[gogsy1]

I have to laugh at all the people expecting Thomson Dream to be 5 stars and a brand new ship. Five minutes on the internet will tell you this is an ex- Costa ship and when it was built. Take some resposnisbility yourself and research, dont blame the Travel agent who are basically salesmen (never trust a salesmen !!). As for 5 star, if you want this then think what you are paying and compare against Cunard which is 5 star. As for myself i like the informal setting of cruises on Ocean Village and am sure Thomson Dream will offer a similar experience. When will some people realise you only get what you pay for !!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I quite agree. As someone else said, would you buy a new car without test driving it and most things I buy I check reviews first, so why not a holiday:confused:

Mind you I do hope it doesn't become like Ocean Village - been there, done that and didn't like it - too casual:( that's why Thomson are polpular, they have just the right mix of casual and formal:)

[kitchens]

I booked this cruise in January, had a known what problems were about to unfold I would not have booked it, my parents are due to join in September and its a special birthday treat for my Dad who will be 80. My parents have worked hard all their lives and I thought this would be a great trip for them. I am not expecting the luxury of Cunard, I am just expecting a good standard of service and I feel very let down by Thomson. The trip isnt cheap either, I have just come off a P&O cruise myself and they offer cheaper holidays but with more formality. I just hope Thomson get there act together in time. Thomson's have not advertised it as 5 star, they just said it would be one of their better ships and this is what I am hoping for. Fingers crossed and watch this space. I await reading any subsequent reviews with interest, I need to pay the full deposit by mid July so it would be good if you all could let me know how the situation progresses. I may just cancel and rebook them on something else, I am loathe to do this though because they are looking forward to the two week itinery. I have had a good laugh along the way, just hoping I wont be sobbing come September!!!

[vwgolf]

I, too, always do my research and so far as I can see no Thomson's website or brochure has advertised the Dream as 5* or as brand new. I certainly wouldn't believe what a travel agent tells me, and that goes for hotels as well as cruise ships.

That said, there is no excuse for bad plumbing and smelly toilets. I sympathise with those people who had to endure leaking sewage and agree that they have cause for complaint.

[Davebhoy]

Kitchens,
Try not to panic. Reviews have significantly improved recently. The volume of irate postings post-cruise seems to be minimal. It's possible there might be occasional plumbing issues- but given the history, I suspect they'll have staff on hand and react VERY quickly. I'm sure your parents will have a great time.
We'll be on two weeks tonight, and will give honest, realistic feedback afterwards.

[Discovery1964]

One thing to bear in mind is that many of the older gneration have no access to a pc or just have no wish to use one, if they book through a travel agent and are given misleading information, how else would they know the ships history?
The agents should be held responsible for misleading such people.

[calconnik]

hi
people keep saying you get what you pay for i actualy paid more for a week on the dream than a week on a cunard ship.

[Huddersfieldtourist]

I have to laugh at all the people expecting Thomson Dream to be 5 stars and a brand new ship. Five minutes on the internet will tell you this is an ex- Costa ship and when it was built. Take some resposnisbility yourself and research, dont blame the Travel agent who are basically salesmen (never trust a salesmen !!). As for 5 star, if you want this then think what you are paying and compare against Cunard which is 5 star. As for myself i like the informal setting of cruises on Ocean Village and am sure Thomson Dream will offer a similar experience. When will some people realise you only get what you pay for !!

I still have the promotional literature for this ship and it does not say it is a new ship. It says " new for Summer 2010 - introducing the Thomson Dream " in a red banner across the cover. This is the first printed matter from Thomson about this ship.

[john_l]

I have to laugh at all the people expecting Thomson Dream to be 5 stars and a brand new ship. Five minutes on the internet will tell you this is an ex- Costa ship and when it was built. Take some resposnisbility yourself and research, dont blame the Travel agent who are basically salesmen (never trust a salesmen !!). As for 5 star, if you want this then think what you are paying and compare against Cunard which is 5 star. As for myself i like the informal setting of cruises on Ocean Village and am sure Thomson Dream will offer a similar experience. When will some people realise you only get what you pay for !!

Thomson Dream cruises are more expensive than Cunards at the moment so you are paying more for less :confused::confused::confused:

[vwgolf]

Thomson Dream cruises are more expensive than Cunards at the moment so you are paying more for less :confused::confused::confused:

I'm obviously looking in the wrong place as I have never found a cruise line offering cheaper deals than Thomson's. We are restricted to school holidays so perhaps that makes a difference but if someone can tell where I can find a week's cruise in August for four people, including flights, for £3,500 then I'm all ears!

[Garyorient]

hi
people keep saying you get what you pay for i actualy paid more for a week on the dream than a week on a cunard ship.

Well said.
A popular misconception that "cos it's Thomsons it will be the cheapest".
It simply ain't so.
I am doing a 10 night cruise on RCI in November costing well under £700pp including flights/luggage/transfers/gratuities with $100 on board spend.

If you are patient and look around cost effectiveness can be found everywhere.

[Garyorient]

I'm obviously looking in the wrong place as I have never found a cruise line offering cheaper deals than Thomson's. We are restricted to school holidays so perhaps that makes a difference but if someone can tell where I can find a week's cruise in August for four people, including flights, for £3,500 then I'm all ears!


booking early enough, you could have easily done 7 nights on either Voyager of the Sea out of BCN or Adventure of the Seas out of Malaga.

In both cases it would have cost you about £2650-£3500 dependent on date and cabin, and that would have been in a two-share cabin and not a four share (not sure what you do)

Equally MSC cruises have had some great "late" deals for August for about £6-£750pp on full package (but excluding tips).

Believe me VW, they exist, it's having the patience, the know-how, or the ability to trust a decent and well mannered travel agent (we are not all lyin', cheatin' toadies, guys)

[vwgolf]

booking early enough, you could have easily done 7 nights on either Voyager of the Sea out of BCN or Adventure of the Seas out of Malaga.

In both cases it would have cost you about £2650-£3500 dependent on date and cabin, and that would have been in a two-share cabin and not a four share (not sure what you do)



I will bear you in mind when looking for next year's cruise!

[jojo67]

I could have booked for less with P&O in a balcony cabin for similar dates & itinerary. Only thing that swayed it with Thomson was free AI & tips included!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

We paid only £200 more for a 2 week Caribbean cruise on Princess than we did for Thomson Dream cruise and stay BUT our bill on Dream was £226 and in the hotel - nil (All inclusive) and on Princess over $1000, plus they wanted you to pay tips up front (which we didn't by the way as you can opt out)

[bankiegirl]

Thomson Dream cruises are more expensive than Cunards at the moment so you are paying more for less :confused::confused::confused:

Thomson cruises are more expensive than most other cruiselines at the moment. Although they say " tips included" most people do tip their waiters, wine waiter and cabin staff. They certainly deserve it. They work so hard. But you will find this same service on other ships too, and even when gratuities are added they can still work out better value than Thomson.

Thomson need to take a long, hard look at themselves and realize that there are newer, better and less expensive cruises to be had if you just take the time to look. People are too complacent, think better the devil you know. They are missing out on some great cruising experiences.

[Garyorient]

Thomson cruises are more expensive than most other cruiselines at the moment. Although they say " tips included" most people do tip their waiters, wine waiter and cabin staff. They certainly deserve it. They work so hard. But you will find this same service on other ships too, and even when gratuities are added they can still work out better value than Thomson.

Thomson need to take a long, hard look at themselves and realize that there are newer, better and less expensive cruises to be had if you just take the time to look. People are too complacent, think better the devil you know. They are missing out on some great cruising experiences.

Perfectly worded and absolutely spot on.
The key word in your posting is BETTER.

[FiggyWig]

Surely you only need look at the review pages of our dear CC website. Example - last year we went on Celebrity Solstice - graded 4+ 'star' ? Our 1st ever cruise, so nothing to compare to - but we were blown away with the whole experience - new ship, comfort, service, food, etc etc - all was fabulous - gave us the cruising bug.

This year we are set to sail on Thomson Celebration - graded 3 'star' according to CC. So no, we are not expecting as 'luxurious' a trip, older, smaller ship - vibration, movement, not such nice fixtures and fittings etc - but we have booked this trip totally aware of these facts, purely through the cheaper costs - tips included - no extra 15% on drinks :D and it has the itinerary that we wanted + the chance to stay a week post cruise.

Having studies the reviews and the posts here we kind of know what to expect and hope we are not dissappointed (although DS whilst comparing this years ship to last years 'I'm not going on THAT ! - he is a teenager !!:D:D).

But for those not sure what they are letting themselves in for... read the reviews before you book... !

[Presto2]

I'm obviously looking in the wrong place as I have never found a cruise line offering cheaper deals than Thomson's. We are restricted to school holidays so perhaps that makes a difference but if someone can tell where I can find a week's cruise in August for four people, including flights, for £3,500 then I'm all ears!

We too are restricted to school holidays and have managed to get a 2 week cruise in a balcony cabin (A deck - top) for £3,100 on P&O's Oceana mid August ----- friends have had to pay £5000 for 14 days on the Dream iin an upgrade - but not a suite - cabin (to be fair AI).

Last year we paid £3,400 for OV stay and cruise (balcony cabin).

We used to think that we would have to stick to OV or Thomson but this year we have changed our minds and got a real bargain. It helps to shop around.

[kitchens]

Many thanks to all of you who have responded to my original question. I actually decided to cancel my Dream booking and I am trying to recover the money I lost but obviously having difficulty as you would expect!!!! I have now booked on the P&O Ventura, going in 2 weeks and it is £1,000 cheaper than the Dream.

[Garyorient]

Many thanks to all of you who have responded to my original question. I actually decided to cancel my Dream booking and I am trying to recover the money I lost but obviously having difficulty as you would expect!!!! I have now booked on the P&O Ventura, going in 2 weeks and it is £1,000 cheaper than the Dream.

Enjoy.
P & O are certainly a different type of cruising to Thomson.
Not better, not worse, just different................ and to those I have annoyed with my posts about Thomson, I sincerely hope that each and everyone of you have a wonderful holiday. I know how hard we all work for our holidays, and I hope that everyone, whoever they cruise withhas the holiday they hoped for

[bankiegirl]

Well said.
A popular misconception that "cos it's Thomsons it will be the cheapest".
It simply ain't so.
I am doing a 10 night cruise on RCI in November costing well under £700pp including flights/luggage/transfers/gratuities with $100 on board spend.

If you are patient and look around cost effectiveness can be found everywhere.

Definately agree!!!!!

[vwgolf]

I can only assume I am not looking in the right places as I have always found Thomson's the cheapest. For next August I shall be looking for a different cruise operator than Thomson's (purely for a change) and I would be grateful if someone can advise me where the best place to look would be. For reference I paid around £3,800 for four people for a week on the Dream this year. If that can be beaten, I will be happy.

[sanwin]

I can only assume I am not looking in the right places as I have always found Thomson's the cheapest. For next August I shall be looking for a different cruise operator than Thomson's (purely for a change) and I would be grateful if someone can advise me where the best place to look would be. For reference I paid around £3,800 for four people for a week on the Dream this year. If that can be beaten, I will be happy.


We are paying that on Liberty of the Seas for a week next year for 5 in a stateroom...sailing much the same as Dream this year...France and Italy...including tips and mytime dining by the way...so not bad I think as we have paid over £3000 for Celebration for 4 this year..

[vwgolf]

I've never done a package yourself holiday - they always seem a bit risky and daunting. I like the idea of paying one amount of money and having everything included. That said, if there are significant savings to be made then it might be worth looking into.

[jojo67]

We are paying that on Liberty of the Seas for a week next year for 5 in a stateroom...sailing much the same as Dream this year...France and Italy...including tips and mytime dining by the way...so not bad I think as we have paid over £3000 for Celebration for 4 this year..

Hope you don't mind me asking, but what type of cabin is that for 5 & who did you book through? Seems a really good price considering it's half term week? Would be interested in booking this myself:)

[sanwin]

Hope you don't mind me asking, but what type of cabin is that for 5 & who did you book through? Seems a really good price considering it's half term week? Would be interested in booking this myself:)


Hi Jo,
I don't mind at all, it is a family promenade state room deck 8 on the Royal promenade..! it will sleep 6 , queen size bed, one sofa double separated by a privacy curtain, then two bunk style beds in a private section of the stateroom, 2 bow windows with seats facing onto the open section of the Royal promenade. We booked through Co-op travel, we thought it was a fantastic price as it was including tips etc which is £41 per person
Look on RCI's website to see the cabins but ring RCI yourself to get the price, as the discount and availability is from them not the travel agent.
They also have ones with outside balconys which aren't that much dearer.

Only so many per ship, I think so if you were really interested you would need to be quick.

sandra:)

[bankiegirl]

I can only assume I am not looking in the right places as I have always found Thomson's the cheapest. For next August I shall be looking for a different cruise operator than Thomson's (purely for a change) and I would be grateful if someone can advise me where the best place to look would be. For reference I paid around £3,800 for four people for a week on the Dream this year. If that can be beaten, I will be happy.

Saw this ad in yesterdays D M. Royal Caribbean, Grandeur of the Seas, May - October 2011 7 & 14 night cruises, two itinerarys.

Spanish Med
Palm... Barcelona... Ibiza...At Sea...Malaga..Gibralter...At Sea...Palma

Italian Med
Palma...At sea...Monte Carlo...La Spezia...Rome...Sicily...At Sea...Palma

£645 pp.
Family of three £1559
Family of four £1755
Prices based on 7 nights 9th October 2011, Spanish Med

This price is based on Glasgow flights. May be worth looking at other airports and dates.

[Julessmiles]

All these discussions about Thomsons being "expensive and you can get cheaper deals elsewhere" either by packaging yourself ie separate flights transfers etc please remember one thing - what happened to Thomson Customers in the Ash Crisis earlier this year? Not just with cruise holidays but all packages - they were well & truly looked after; kept on cruise ships or hotels if they couldn't fly home or got home by alternative means.

I would be interested to know what happened to people who DID book independantly and had arranged their own flights, transfers etc - were they left stranded? I know who I would have rather been with in that instance - Thomson being looked after, fed & watered!

Also, it's not always down to price. When we were on the Spirit this year & Celebration last year, we came across various other ships in port and to me they just looked like huge tower blocks on the sea. I know the Thomson ships are older but they are what I would say are traditional ships!! I have been with P&O on one of their smaller ships and had a great cruise but I would still go for Thomson as a preference over P&O!

I know it's all down to personal choice by the way - I'm not trying to kick off an argument :)

[infoqueen]

hi julessmiles think you were on the spirit with us in august and when we arrived at corfu there was a huge msc(I think) ship docked next to us and it did indeed look like a tower block. also in an emergency how on earth do they get everyone off, It took long enough for us to get off the spirit to disembark on our last day. Would like to try one of the bigger ships but not one that has 4000 passengers on its too much for me.

[vwgolf]

We also berthed next to an MSC ship a couple of times and it towered above us. All I could wonder is how it never toppled over as it looked very top heavy to me!

[Julessmiles]

We also berthed next to an MSC ship a couple of times and it towered above us. All I could wonder is how it never toppled over as it looked very top heavy to me!

The ones we saw were an MSC, Celebrity, P&O & "Costa Fortuna" & a German ship I can't remember - they looked huge. Two of them followed us into Venice and they dwarfed it - I have some photos of them and they were so much taller than the buidlings of Venice - it just didn't seem right!

[infoqueen]

had to laugh at the costa fortuna it sounds like an expensive spanish resort bit like helles belles resort in carry on abroad, whoops showing my age now lol

[Julessmiles]

had to laugh at the costa fortuna it sounds like an expensive spanish resort bit like helles belles resort in carry on abroad, whoops showing my age now lol


We couldn't believe that they had even thought of giving a ship that name - as you can imagine Ray Bauers had a right old time ripping fun out of it that day !! All the kids & teenagers (and adults!) thought it was a hilarious name!

(I think you came on the Spirit as we got off - we were on from 13th-27th August!)

[infoqueen]

yes we were on 27th august for a week. Ray was a good laugh and a nice man.

[p24296]

Well said.
A popular misconception that "cos it's Thomsons it will be the cheapest".
It simply ain't so.
I am doing a 10 night cruise on RCI in November costing well under £700pp including flights/luggage/transfers/gratuities with $100 on board spend.

If you are patient and look around cost effectiveness can be found everywhere.
Yep, and schools aren't off in November. If you could travel out of school holiday time you can pretty much get what you want in terms of decent deals however we don't yet have that luxury, also throw into the mix OH company shutdown in summer holidays of 2 weeks when everyone has to take their hols plus Thomson being the only company that offers an inclusive cruise/stay holiday in terms of flights, transfers etc being included in one price from NI we are really restricted in who we can travel with. We did price Royal Caribbean for next July for a week but could not book the connecting flights for that cruise until the New Year - what's the point in that? I want to have my complete holiday booked so that I know what it's going to cost me and I know what arrangements I have to make regarding flights, car parking, kennels etc.

Also when we first went to price the Thomson cruise there were no brochures in the shop, OH was told by the agent that it was a "new" ship and we had no reason not to believe her as we have booked holidays with her before with no problem. I only discovered this forum since booking the holiday but I'm going to bide my time before I decide whether to cancel this holiday. However as I have already stated the choice is extremely limited when having to fly from regional airports such as NI and we don't want to be left in a situation where we don't get a holiday at all.