jojo67

Much as it galls me to pay so much, I've decided to book the Thomson Venice on Your Own trip when we're there in July. It will be very hot, there are 5 of us and we've never been before. I think this will give us the longest amount of time to explore, with a guaranteed seat and return time back to the ship. I can imagine waiting in long queues for the water taxis back if there is more than the one ship docked the day we are there, and don't want the stress. Any other time of year I may have considered walking, but not end of July/early August heat.

Thanks Groovechick, that's a very helpful and informative reply.

Hi, looking at booking the 7 day Iberian trip next October on Ventura and considering the cheapest cabin option available, so looking at P deck, probably cabins P244 and P240. We've never had a cabin this low down in the ship before, any positives or negatives about this deck/cabin choice please?

I thought it was strange that you said you had just booked your first cruise :confused: then I noticed the date!

 

The Majesty is getting good reviews :)

Fingers crossed it stays that way Linda. Off to the TA today to pay the balance, brings it all that more closer :)

here are 26 Balcony Cabin on Celebration. Deck 9 and Deck 5.

My comment that they don't was made back in 2009, someone has pulled up a really old thread!

No travel irons either I'm afraid, too much of a fire risk I believe.

Hi, we've booked 923 (junior suite) and 925 (outside plus) it is 923 that has had the balcony added

 

 

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:mad:Just had another email to advise the first one was incorrect! It's the outside plays cabin 925 that has had a balcony added and not suite 923! We'd booked the outside plus for our daughters whilst my husband, me and my son have the suite! Nice for my daughters but I'm sure they won't appreciate it as much as I would have!!

Which cabin numbers have the balconies on the Majesty or don't we know yet. Is it any of the junior suites?

Sweby

We have junior suite 923 booked and have been advised if has had a balcony added, although I understand not all of the junior suites on Deck 9 have had them added. There are also a couple of outside plus cabins at the front of Deck 8 that have had them added too.

Hi Folks, Little bit of news about balconies. In the April edition of SHIPS MONTHLY news states that CELEBRATION,SPIRIT AND MAJESTY are going to have 26,19 and 28 balconies fitted respectively. We know CELEBRATION is done, wonder when others to be done. SPIRIT probably same as CELEBRATION but where for MAJESTY i wonder.

Shellsailor:):):)

Majesty had balconies added during it's recent spell in dry dock. Some of the junior suites on deck 9 and a couple of outside plus cabins on deck 8 had them added.

Jojo

 

Not sure if you are on the Thomson FB page but Mary is onboard now & has posted some photos of the Majesty Balcony cabins - looks lovely!

Thank you! Just been over to have a look, some great pictures. Mary appears to be having a lovely time and the suite looks very nice :)

Hi, we've booked 923 (junior suite) and 925 (outside plus) it is 923 that has had the balcony added

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I take it this balcony is not going to cost you extra Jo :eek::eek::eek:

No Linda it's not! We'd paid to pre-book as we wanted two adjoining cabins, had we not pre-booked I'm sure they would have offered it to us at a charge! From the pictures someone posted on here a couple of weeks back, it didn't look as though all of the junior suites had had them added.

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Excellent news JoJo, enjoy it.

Thank you, we will I'm sure :) Can't wait for the first reviews to start coming in now following the refurb along with some pictures of the added balconies!!

Well after a number of disappointments concerning our forthcoming cruise on Majesty, today we received the following email:

RE: Your holiday to Corfu.

Departure date 25/07/2014. Reference Number #######

Thank you for choosing to travel with Thomson Cruises. We’re writing to give you some important information about your holiday. And we’re pleased to say it’s good news.

We’ve been busy making some improvements to Thomson Majesty over the winter.

We’ve revamped some of the public areas, and added several balconies – all in the name of improving your cruise experience.

As a result, we’re happy to tell you that your cabin now has a balcony.

We hope you have a fantastic time on-board. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can either visit your local travel agent, or give us a call on 0800 009 3870.

We have a junior suite on Deck 9 booked. I wonder how much extra they'll be offering the upgrade for?!?

Debenhams have a sale on at the moment, some nice dresses available on line and some at 50% off too. Another non vote for M&S recently, what has gone wring?!

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Just had another look and whilst it does seem like the junior suites 902 - 918, these already had floor to ceiling bay windows so a change to a balcony could I assume be easily achieved, the fact the lifeboats hang at this level would surely defeat the object of adding balconies?

First set of balconies on the left look completed:

 

http://www.shipfriends.gr/forum/gallery/image/62445-thomson-majesty-dei-dock-19022014/

 

Are people going to get balconies for the summer without realising they were going to be getting them. :confused:

Now that would be very nice! We have booked a suite on Deck nine plus the adjoining outside plus! That would go some way to compensate for the dreadful change of flight times and the possibility of now tendering into Venice!

I don't think it's anything to do with standards dropping! When we were on Dream in 2010 they allowed men in football shirts into the MDR. We also saw jeans in there on formal evening.

It's 28th June. I can try to send you link but I think it will get removed - are you on the Thomson FB site - can send you link that way.

 

You can't book it online - you have to phone.

 

Try googling F O cruises Mid summer Ball June 2014

 

 

http://www.fredolsencruises.com/mid-summer-ball/boudicca-mid-summer-ball

Thanks for the link, it works fine. I'm tempted as I'd like to try FO, just not sure about the transfer back from Liverpool:confused:

Fred Olsen - sailing from Bristol (not far from us) - just a 1 nighter but it's a good deal & sounds like a fun cruise! Have been looking at their very favourable prices & are very tempted - I know they are more for the "older market" but they use Peel for their entertainment, their food is supposed to be better than Thomson & they also now do a drink package which is currently selling for £10 per day & 10% off fares for bookings made before end Feb.

 

We are looking at the possibility of Norway for next year, which even with Thomson would probably be less families onboard so we are willing to try another line & would go with an open mind & enjoy the ship for what it is, the food for what it is & the destination for what it is - beautiful; I went before in 2004 with my Mum & always said I would go back one day & take the family!!

Hi, I've tried to find details of the one night FO cruise from Bristol, but can't see anything! What date is it happening please, I would live to try FO for one night from our home town:)

Well I received a telephone call and email this afternoon from our TA advising of the flight change I had spotted on line 2 two months ago! I asked specifically about the Venice port of call and the likely hood of any changes and this was their reply:

At the moment, we have not been advised of any itinerary changes for the summer months. The cruise ships being allowed into Venice have been reduced by 20% for this year and will be reduced further at the end of the year. However, the ships tenders are still being granted access to the city. Unfortunately, any cruise itinerary is subject to change and this could be amended at any time. Obviously if you are not happy with the amendments, there is always the option to transfer your holiday but depending on the change, it is normally subject to an administration fee.

This was their response to me protesting that a change of flight time from 3.15pm to 5.30am was indeed significant:

I understand your frustrations with the changes to your flights for your forthcoming cruise. Unfortunately, the times of our flights are planned many months in advance and are always subject to change. The new times are not classed as a significant change as they have not been changed by more than 12 hours and therefore, we cannot offer any compensation for the inconvenience. We will be offering our customers an Online Check-In Service during the summer which will mean you don't have to get to the airport as early. We can look at changing your flights to an alternative airport in the UK however this would incur administration fees and would also be subject to change.

So in other words Thomson can make significant changes to both my flight times and cruise itinerary and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it! We've booked 2 weeks b2b in two cabins costing £10,000+ Their customer service sucks!!

Surely the port authority would have to honour existing bookings? Any changes would be for future bookings? Will this really affect Summer 2014 Adriatic Explorer customers? I for one would be devastated to miss Venice, the sail away from Venice was to be one of the highlights for me based on reviews from past customers. I can't see how the port authority can expect so many cruise line company's to change itinerary at such short notice. As Sailaway has pointed out in another thread, 2015 port bookings are already being finalised!

We are doing this itinerary in July and haven't been able to find much information on Zadar? Is this a new port to Thomsons? The current itinerary doesn't show it as a tender port either :confused:

We've cruised both Thomson and P&O. P&O I would say, offer a more traditional cruise experience, fixed dining times and a more formal feel. Thomson offer a slightly more casual cruise experience with more of a 'holiday' feel. We like the fact that Thomson cruises include gratuities and, if you book early enough, an AI drinks package, the pricing structure is much clearer. trying to work out P&O pricing of late can require a degree, they never offer an AI drinks package and gratuities are not included, but are automatically added to your account. Staff on Thomson are the friendliest we have ever encountered, P&O slightly more reserved. I do however enjoy sailing out of Southampton, no luggage restrictions s and no airports, home to being on board can be done in 2 hours flat on a good day (we live in Bristol).