More About Thomson Prices

[slhw]

Hi

I started a thread a couple of months ago about Thomson prices being very similar to 'more up-market' lines and, even in some cases, dearer. Our January 2010 cruise on Destiny has increased yet again in price, by about £20 each, and the free AI has been removed. Have been keeping a close eye on it as our friends say that they are waiting to the last minute so that they will get it for half price!!!!!!!!!!! I spoke to our TA the other day and asked her about Thomson's pricing policy. She professed not to know much but did say that she also has seen that Thomson prices are now not so much a budget option as they once were. She told me that reductions and increases are based on the amount of activity that Thomson see in enquiries about a particular holiday, not necessarily on actual firm bookings. If there are lots and lots of enquiries via TA's etc., then they maintain, or increase, the prices. If there is a quiet period they they are likely to reduce. At the moment, on the net, our next January holiday in a deck 2/3 outside cabin with AI from Manchester would cost over £1900 each (we were lucky enough not to pay that as we got free AI and also had money-off vouchers). As much as I love Thomson, I don't think that I would pay that for the Destiny. Also on the net at the moment, there is no option to book an inside cabin on the lower decks - does that mean that they are all full? Anyone any ideas?

Sandie

[North&South]

Hi, reading your post I was a little worried that our price would increase
and the AI would be removed but do you mean if you book now? and
no changes to your booking if already made?:confused: Thanks.
We too are travelling on Destiny next year in Jan (1st time!) We
have pre-booked a cabin so as to get a double bed. Not a good cabin I fear but I do keep checking via our TA if they have had any cancelllations
and we can change. Only feedback is that all double cabins are booked (not that there are many) and that the ship is not full..

Hope this helps,
x

[Cymro1953]

Hi Sandie,
We're on the Destiny in Sept 2010 for 2 weeks up on deck 5 O/S with "free A/I.
Cost us £1800 each.
But compared to the fact that we were supposed to be in a good cabin on the Island Star this year (the cruise got cancelled when Thomsons took over Island Cruises completely) and had to rebook to get a similar itinerary with Royal Carribean on a similar size of ship (not one of the big fancy ones).
It cost us £500 more on RCI for a 2 day shorter cruise and a worse cabin. It cost me another £500 to go up from deck 2 to deck 6
And the RCI ship has less facilities than the average Thomsons cruise ship.
and no A.I.
So while they aren't cheap, I think they're better value than some of the others.

Berwyn

[Cymro1953]

Hi N & S,
No your price will be OK if already booked. It's for new bookings

Berwyn

[vwgolf]

Just for "fun" I had a quick look to see if the online price of our holiday, leaving in August, had changed since we booked in December. It's actually about £200 more expensive, mainly because the AI option is now fully priced whereas we bought it at a significant discount. There are fewer room options as well.

I think if you are restricted to school holidays it pays to book early, otherwise you might benefit by waiting.

[Sailingscots]

Hi,

Last December we booked the Baltic Capitals Cruise for August this year. Despite getting free parking in Harwich (now costing £98.00) and also having a £100.00 money off voucher, we would still have got this cruise cheaper if we booked online tonight.

Wish I hadn't checked now!

Sailingscots

[Cymro1953]

Hi,
I just checked our cruise booked for Sept 2010. There does not be any difference in the price.

Berwyn

[steelerannie]

Just checked our January 2010 cruise and if we booked it now it would cost us nearly £700 more each now:eek:

I'm glad we booked last December for it.

Ann

[Cymro1953]

Just a follow up, on our cruise in Sept 2010.
I checked for the price online just now and our 2 week cruise isn't available any more.
So I take it it's fully booked.
So I checkedthe next 2 weeks and the free All Inclusive is no longer available and they want £330 for the drinks package.

Berwyn

[mtt]

My jan 10 cruise would now be £449 extra pp and AI is now £169pp, and my oct10 cruise is £91pp extra, but still has free AI