Winter 2011/12

[Firsttimer 03/08]

Anyone heard any news on the next brochure for Nov'11 to Apr'12; I'm sure it's been out by this time normally!

[Beckyfaye-2008]

I have today picked up from the Co-op T/A, Thomsons Cruises brochure October 2010 to October 2011. Its called The September 2010 edition. I think the Edition you want will be the December 2010 edition, that will cover Jan 2011 to April 2012. :)

[rosiebee]

I went in last week to my local TA and she said that all the managers were going to a meeting about cruises in November and they expected the brochures to be out after that. So it should be any time now. I've been 'chomping at the bit' for ages. They said they'll let me know asap but
if any one gets hold of one, please put up a post.
Rosie:)

[sodafountain]

Does anyone think the Destiny cruise day will change next year?

We did it last year for Christmas, flying out on the 20th December and leaving to come back on the 27th December (Sunday).

Of course, this year the Sunday is the 19th and the 26th (or 26th and 2nd Jan for New Year).

Next year though, a Sunday crusie would mean 18th to the 25th (flying home on Christmas Day), or 25th to 1st Jan for the second week, would they do that, or do you think that the fly/cruise day would change?

Wouldn't mind a Christmas cruise again (maybe Cruise and Stay this time), but wouldn't fanacy the idea of leaving the boat Christmas day to either fly home or go to a hotel (and likewise, leaving on New Years Day to fly home).

[davecttr]

Does anyone think the Destiny cruise day will change next year?

We did it last year for Christmas, flying out on the 20th December and leaving to come back on the 27th December (Sunday).

Of course, this year the Sunday is the 19th and the 26th (or 26th and 2nd Jan for New Year).

Next year though, a Sunday crusie would mean 18th to the 25th (flying home on Christmas Day), or 25th to 1st Jan for the second week, would they do that, or do you think that the fly/cruise day would change?

Wouldn't mind a Christmas cruise again (maybe Cruise and Stay this time), but wouldn't fanacy the idea of leaving the boat Christmas day to either fly home or go to a hotel (and likewise, leaving on New Years Day to fly home).
Who knows, Destiny may not be with Thomson after next October.

I think having two ships in the Caribbean might be too many and they are not going to withdraw the Dream.

[thomsonfirsttimer]

I've been waiting too. My TA said they would let me know as soon as December 2011 is released but something is afoot as the brochures have normally been released for 6 weeks or so by now.

[davecttr]

On friday my TA mentioned the 11th!

[p24296]

Poster on another forum also says 11th November

[davecttr]

Poster on another forum also says 11th November
That was me :D

[smiffy1951]

Internet still only has up to October 2011 at the moment. (8.50 am).:confused:

[rosiebee]

Caribbean cruises 11/12 are available on Cruisedeals now!!!! Only using the Dream out of Barbados and no AI. From something I read on Cruise News, The Red Sea and rest of cruises are not being released until early Dec.
"
But for 2012, Cuba has been dropped in favour of a new home port -- Barbados (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/ports/newport.cfm?ID=5) -- and three new seven-night itineraries, which include maiden calls in Costa Rica and Venezuela. They can be combined into 14-nighters and cruise-and-stay options.

So what's going on? Ian Corbett, Thomson Cruises' brand manager, told Cruise Critic that "Cuba has sold very, very well. But we have decided that as we will only have one ship in the Caribbean in 2012, we need to offer the full repertoire of seven-night cruises, 14-night cruises and cruise-and-stay. Cuba could only ever be done as part of a 14-night cruise because of its location."
Rosie

And that "one ship?" It'll be the flagship, Thomson Dream (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=605). Which means Thomson Destiny (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=479), until now based in the Dominican Republic in winter, is destined for a new seasonal home.

(For its part, Tropicana Cruises, which was supposed to have started service out of Havana on November 6, has not responded to requests for information on its programme.)

Thomson is keeping details of its Europe and Red Sea programme for winter 2012 under wraps until early December, but Corbett hinted that the company has "something up our sleeve" regarding Destiny's destiny. "It's no secret that profitable winter homes for ships are not that easy to come by," he said "But we've got our own airline, which allows us to operate from destinations other cruise lines can't reach."

[kruzseeka]

Caribbean cruises 11/12 are available on Cruisedeals now!!!! Only using the Dream out of Barbados and no AI. From something I read on Cruise News, The Red Sea and rest of cruises are not being released until early Dec.
"
But for 2012, Cuba has been dropped in favour of a new home port -- Barbados (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/ports/newport.cfm?ID=5) -- and three new seven-night itineraries, which include maiden calls in Costa Rica and Venezuela. They can be combined into 14-nighters and cruise-and-stay options.

So what's going on? Ian Corbett, Thomson Cruises' brand manager, told Cruise Critic that "Cuba has sold very, very well. But we have decided that as we will only have one ship in the Caribbean in 2012, we need to offer the full repertoire of seven-night cruises, 14-night cruises and cruise-and-stay. Cuba could only ever be done as part of a 14-night cruise because of its location."
Rosie

And that "one ship?" It'll be the flagship, Thomson Dream (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=605). Which means Thomson Destiny (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=479), until now based in the Dominican Republic in winter, is destined for a new seasonal home.

(For its part, Tropicana Cruises, which was supposed to have started service out of Havana on November 6, has not responded to requests for information on its programme.)

Thomson is keeping details of its Europe and Red Sea programme for winter 2012 under wraps until early December, but Corbett hinted that the company has "something up our sleeve" regarding Destiny's destiny. "It's no secret that profitable winter homes for ships are not that easy to come by," he said "But we've got our own airline, which allows us to operate from destinations other cruise lines can't reach."


Thanks for that Rosiebee - will be very interesting to see what's in store for Destiny.

[rosiebee]

Really disappointed if it is just going to be the Dream out of Barbados. We were hoping to do a cruise and stay and I can't see Thomson's giving you an AI hotel in Barbados like they do in the Dom Rep. We've stayed in Barbados and it's a beautiful island, but it's not cheap and with no AI on the ship as well, it would probably be a lot more than we want to pay.
BUT, there's always the possibility of a C&S on the Red Sea. Just want to be on a ship, somewhere warm on my birthday. Bit of a pain it being in January.
Fingers crossed.
Rosie

[marylizcat]

I wonder if they are going to sail Destiny out of Dubai? That seems to be growing in popularity for cruising.

[kruzseeka]

I wonder if they are going to sail Destiny out of Dubai? That seems to be growing in popularity for cruising.

That's an interesting idea marylizcat. The 'outdoor' feel Lido would come into its own there!

[davecttr]

I wonder if they are going to sail Destiny out of Dubai? That seems to be growing in popularity for cruising.
Dubai?

There is nothing of interest in that area except possibly sand. I have had sufficient exposure to middle eastern culture to last a long time and having done the Red Sea such a location would not interest me.

After next springs Spirit cruise to the Adriatic I will have 'done' the Thomsons itineries with the exception of the Baltic so am trying P&O next autumn. They will have to come up with something interesting for Destiny to keep my attention. Dubai is not interesting.

[skioncruises]

Just had a look at 2011/2012 itineraries. No mention of any cruises for November 2011. An omission or are all ships being dry docked?:confused:

[Beckyfaye-2008]

Have deleted the post due to mistake my part ref dates. Ignore:eek:

[sodafountain]

Just had a look at 2011/2012 itineraries. No mention of any cruises for November 2011. An omission or are all ships being dry docked?:confused:

All ships?

AFAIK, they have only announced itinereis for the Dream, others are announced in December.

[rosiebee]

Just spent ages 'grilling' our TA about the 11/12 cruises. Have now got a copy of the Carib brochure and it is only the Dream. No AI mentioned in brochure only £100 per couple onboard spend. You can pay for AI upgrade for, I think, about £189 per week. The TA worked it out that for a 2 week cruise AI with an outside cabin it would be £3930 - that's going on Jan 1st 2012. On the cruise/stay front, there are two AI hotels. One is Mango Bay which I really like the look of but that would be £4120 with no AI on the ship. All prices include discounts for booking early, but those discounts could quickly disappear if there's a good response in bookings. No-one at the T Agency knew when the rest of the cruises would be released. Must be soon though. Don't know whether to go for Carib or hang on to see what the Red Sea has to offer.:confused::):confused::)
Rosie

[montytania]

found a web site with the Dream from Barbados "Latin Gems & Stay "
Barbados
At Sea
Aruba
Curacao
Margarita Island
Grenada
St Lucia
Barbados
7 nights hotel stay
Flight to UK
From £1399 inside cabin March 4th 2012

[sodafountain]

found a web site with the Dream from Barbados "Latin Gems & Stay "
Barbados
At Sea
Aruba
Curacao
Margarita Island
Grenada
St Lucia
Barbados
7 nights hotel stay
Flight to UK
From £1399 inside cabin March 4th 2012

Been to First Choice and picked up the brochure, the cruise above is listed at £1119 on the 4th March, so not quite sure where the other £280 comes from :confused:

[skioncruises]

All ships?

AFAIK, they have only announced itinereis for the Dream, others are announced in December.

Sorry. Didn't notice it was only the Dream itineraries.:o I just went into a spin because November is missing. Hope not - time goes quickly enough as I get older.:eek: Am I missing something or is she getting a makeover every November? November is a time we like and thought we'd give her a try. Oh well, Island Escape is our other choice as have done all the others (several times). Roll on next month to see what other joys Thomson's have in store for us.

[montytania]

Been to First Choice and picked up the brochure, the cruise above is listed at £1119 on the 4th March, so not quite sure where the other £280 comes from :confused:

Just shows that you have to shop around. Like I said was just googling and that web site came up.
We don't want stay and cruise so looks like looking for another line to go with next winter season