all-afloaty

Anybody know why there aren't any Caribbean cruises showing for March 2017?

TIA Kay

Our TA has just called to inform us booking should be open tomorrow for March 2017[emoji3]

Can't wait to browse the new cruises [emoji3]

Glad to read your lovely review of the Dream and pleased to hear you enjoyed your cruise.

Despite a panic last week when Hubby was told by his GP that his latest blood tests indicated he couldn't fly (his Consultant thankfully over ruled this- phew!), this time tomorrow we will be at Malaga Airport waiting to board our flight to Palma.

 

 

 

Looking forward to a great 5 days and hoping to meet some of you off here on board. Safe journey to you all.

Hope you have a fantastic cruise campolady [emoji6]

thomsons pricing is a dark art floaty... imo there is never a good time to book, as soon as you book the price will change (up or down) and continue to change right up until sailing

 

i track fares all the time and have come to the conclusion that there is no pattern to it at all?:confused:

 

if you want a regional flight or specific extras? a particular cabin location/extra legroom/premium seats/single/3 berth/balcony etc then they can sell out so best to book early

 

if you are flexible on dates then there may be bargains to had for late booking (but not always) you have to be prepared to miss out

 

repositioning cruises are often last minute bargains because they are usually at the beginning and end of the season (the off season)

 

they nearly always bump up the fares for christmas/easter/school holidays

 

its supply and demand (on both aircraft and ship) that dictates the prices

no one knows how they calculate it? they probably dont know either:rolleyes:

Thanks geomagot that's what I thought tbh so think we will book asap.

We are planning to book our first Caribbean cruise with Thomson for, probably, March/April 2017. What is everyone's opinion on best time to book? Should we book as soon as they go on sale in November or do they do special offers further into the season?

trust me.... its for real!... but its a bit of scrum/stampede when the bell rings:p;):):cool:

 

 

 

 

Blimey [emoji13]

also free shots on the hour in the afternoon in the boat yard

 

 

 

where you line up along the bar with your mouth open and the barman stands on the bar pouring in various (neat) liquids (of uncertain distillation?);):cool:

For real geomagot or you having a laugh? [emoji12]

Oh wow fantastic [emoji12]

boatyard on carlisle bay is the one most people and the crew head for in barbados, its about $15pp?? entrance (cant remember exactly as we go to harbour lights) the entrance covers a free drink, a sunbed, use of the rope swing and trampolines and a ride back to the ship (minibuses leave every 15 minutes or so)

 

What is the rope swing please geomagot?

Talking of food standards on the Dream we did have enough negatives to make comments about the food standards and while you may get what you pay for is not the right attitude.Thomson does not promote its cruises as

 

low priced in fact all the cruise companies have offers on, and from what I

 

hear from other cruisers the standard has dropped on many ships ie having to pay extra to get a steak for example. This has been the case since speciality

 

restaurants were added on the ships. we have cruised on the Dream many times and Thomsons other ships and this was the worst food experience ever in the restaurant many other passengers made the same comments but

 

maybe they do not wish to say publically, so the question is do we try again

 

or go with another company, have to think about it, as the rest of the travel with Thomsons to and from their ships works well.

I have to say if I was ever that disappointed with any holiday I definitely wouldn't go again [emoji15]

We did the taxi tour for 50 euros. As a group of four it was great value. We were taken to the top of the cable cars and to other interesting view points. The drivers English was very good and his local knowledge history, political and current including the proposed Donald Trump Golf Course protest made for a interesting hour. We were then taken to the old town and had a lovely wonder through it and back to the ship by taxi. You could pay with kuna or euros. However out ice cream and cold drinks was paid in kuna.

Great information thanks k8ti - sounds like a plan [emoji106]🏻

5 nighter Palma to Malaga (Palma - Barcelona - Valencia - Cartagena - Gibraltar - Malaga).

Have a great one campolady [emoji41]

Couldn't agree more. For what we pay we consider the food very acceptable. On our last Thomson cruise in July we thought the quality had actually improved - tasty and well presented and always something on the menu that suited us; we are definitely expecting to enjoy it again this month.

When and where campolady?

My opinion is that everyone has different perceptions and expectations we were on Dream in May and Celebration in September and had no problems with the quality or presentation, we always eat in the main restraunt, in fact we personally haven't noticed any deteriation in all the years we have been cruising but we do choose food that we know we will enjoy. I fully understand that someone will come back and say that our expectations are low but we do like good well presented food just our opinion[emoji53][emoji53]

I agree pensioncruiser imo I have very high standards but have never been disappointed with the quality of the food. Okay it's not fine dining but we are not paying fine dining prices - you only get what you pay for [emoji15]

No, its that on long haul you can pay for premium, turn left on the plane, get a few extras not everyone think its worth the extra but we do. You get extra legroom & wider seats seating is 2 3 2 which we like 23kg lug fast track and executive lounge at airport, we like it mainly for the flight home its a lot quiter in our opinion. We have tried both[emoji3]

Sorry I completely lost the plot as Linda had referred to Dubrovnik I thought we were talking about Europe not long haul lol [emoji3]

They were also weighing ALL the hand luggage at Birmingham and I had to fetch a Thomson rep to inform him it could be 7Kg for cruise as he said at 6.2Kg I was over weight.

 

Slightly off subject I have just received yet another updated amended confirmation for my cruise next Feb and it indicates only 5Kg hand luggage for cruisers unless in premium when its back to 7Kg:eek: we are booked premium so will not affect us :D

What do you mean by premium pensioncruiser is it extra legroom seats? [emoji15]

Thank you very much, another question is can you get wifi on the ship? And do you have to take your own towels?

You get towels and pool towels in your cabin. There is wifi available but I believe it's very expensive especially when at sea.

all-afloaty - according to the website that tells you which plane you are going on (forgot what it is again :o) we were supposed to have the Dreamliner both ways, but when we booked in on line, we could see from the seat plan that going out was a 2-4-2 configuration (Boeing 767) and on the way back 3-3-3 (Dreamliner)

Thanks Linda will have to try to find the website you refer you to [emoji57]

Lovely review Linda glad you enjoyed yourselves. Did you know before you flew that you were on the Dreamliner? So impressed you've done your washing and ironing already [emoji15]

lol [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] can just imagine the scene! Can't wait to hear about your cruise [emoji41]

Hello sailaway :) I was thinking about you yesterday :). Are you still updating the cabin reviews? We are just on our way home from Celebration, so wondering if you would like review of cabin 660. It is a very nice cabin.

Hi Linda looking forward to hearing about your cruise [emoji3]

Taxi definitely best way to get to the old town at Pile Gate. Only takes about 7-8 minutes, most of that time I would advise to keep your eyes shut and pray...............red lights and traffic crossings are viewed as a challenge.

 

And that was the case both to and from the Old Town!!

lol will do [emoji106]🏻[emoji23]

Not to worry we are getting a taxi [emoji12]

Oh thank you shellsailor we will definitely go for the taxi option hope you enjoyed your cruise