Shallwe123

Hi cruising friends,

Reading your posts and understanding how concerning it all sounds and was quite shocked to see so many celebration guests had posted on member reviews and they don't make nice reading. In our opinion the reviews are a true reflection of time onboard and are without embellishment

We've been travelling for 30 years, all over the world, but only got into cruising last New Year aboard the good ship Celebration on the Red Sea. That was our very first cruise - we didn't know what to expect.

We immediately fell in love with the old war ship looking boat - so cozy, warm and inviting when onboard - we enjoyed ourselves so much with all the staff, the entertainment team were fab, mingling with guests and taking time to chat. It was like a big party at home ! Ok, sure there were a couple of issues , like not enough space on deck to sit, not enough sun beds, guests hogging the sun beds ! But overall excellent food, quality service and entertainment.

In September a cheap deal came available with Cunard, so off we went for 12 nights in the Med. OMG ... We were astounded to think that the two ships nearly equally compared. Apart from the obvious size of QE and so therefor so much more space on board and she looks nicer.

Our feelings regarding our Thompson's holiday this New Year and agree Thompson's cruises are not exactly cheap when compared to the market and indeed as pipadee says, one pays a huge premium / double for August etc, school holidays and Christmas and New Year. Don't get us wrong we had a really good holiday and enjoyed our cruise, mainly due to the fact - we make it so to have a good time and join in and again met lovely people to share our week with. But the cut backs are apparent with tired and overworked staff, who do work their socks off to please you, cheap food and cheap facilities in your cabin too.

We feel what "got " to us the most is that when boarding after time onshore there was no mention of welcome back aboard or did you have a nice day... And when we disembarked ship for the final time - no one said - hope you enjoyed your holiday and hope to see you back on board soon. Unlike Cunard !!

Geomagot - You wouldn't have got excited about the lobster for this NY Eve - a lady on our table laughed when her plate arrived - an empty shell and the dry meat at the side. Ugh !

Sorry guys my post is long, just wanted you to know we are not a couple of British moaners.

Come on Thompson's - guests have paid, yes paid for your services and their holiday. We will not be booking with you again until the reviews improve or you offer a free cruise. :)

When we were on the Celebration last year a jug kettle was "hard-wired" and secured to the dressing table and proved to be an absolute pain as it could not be moved. A tray with cups (not mugs) and all other bits and bobs to make a cuppa sat next to it and due to limited flat surfaces there was nowhere else to put it consequently dressing table space was extremely limited.

 

It is personal kettles and irons that are not allowed.

 

Hairdryers and straighteners are permitted. I have a 1200w dual speed/dual voltage travel hairdryer which I take and switch to 110v. This is plugged in to a short 4 way extension bar connected to a two pin adaptor. Cameras and phones can also be charged at the same time if needed while hair is being dried.:)

Yes skioncruises and joeholiday - Kettle cable secured by staples and kettle base screwed / fixed to dressing table, hard wired in somewhere under the cupboard for bottles . No other space for large tray with two cups and saucers etc, only tiny cream pots supplied with endless sachets of decaf coffee and no sugar. Sure she replenished and swapped for proper coffee - but to keep having to ask is rather tedious. We also take a small extension bar and so pleased we remembered to pack our socket adapter As there was not a uk three pin socket in 539.

Sarah - thank you from us too - loved reading your account of your holiday and life onboard QE and loved your photos. A big thank you for bringing back lovely memories of our fabulous cruise on board Queen Elizabeth in September 2013.

In case you have not seen them these are the pictures I took of Celebration last May just after the AHEM "platinum" upgrade.

 

https://joeholiday2.shutterfly.com/pictures/1649

 

Explorers has now changed into a coffee shop, and there are new balconies, hopefully someone will post some pictures of those soon.[/quote

 

I got photos From the deck only of new the balconies but need to figure out how to get them on here !

 

I did go in one cabin to have a look and they are very nice indeed - light, bright and rather contemporary hotel looking. We met a lovely couple who were upgraded to one, and I'm sure they won't mind me saying - they were "spoilt " all week by Thompsons.

JoeHoliday2,

By the way, in the photos it looked like there were British style 3 pin plugs, is that correct? And was the hairdryer very powerful ( for other half )

 

Hi jimb98 - in our cabin 539 there was NOT a 3 pin British socket. :( however in 484 there was !

 

I took my own hair dryer and straightners this last cruise, as it did my head in last year trying to get my hair dry with a pitifully underrated dryer and also the cord is sooooooo short and fixed to the dressing table ......Be prepared - it will take twice as long to dry if she don't take her own ....

 

Take your own shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, as only shampoo ( cheap and nasty too) is supplied now ... Platinum ship !!, ( our first stop in La Palma was the Spa shop to buy supplies !!

We have just booked for the Caribbean next January!(good AI price). Does any one know what cabin 418on deck 3 is like? I have looked on the "cabin review"thread but that cabin is not covered

Hi Dab,

We returned home from Celebration last Sunday after a week onboard over New Year. 28th Dec to 4th Jan - Cabin 539. We also had cabin 484 for a few hours on our last day - £30.00 extra ( we spent last new year on Celebration too, in the Red Sea )

Your cabin should be ok but check your bed configuration is suitable for you. We paid the £42.00 as Dreamgirl advises - to ensure a double bed.

We would have to say that the only difference in our cabin last year to " Platinum " status this year ..... is the kettle !!

£15.00 a week charge for the safe too :(

We had a great time meeting lots of lovely people onboard and of course the wonderful, very hardworking, always friendly cabin stewards, cleaning staff and restaurant staff - who really are the heart and soul of Celebration and your holiday.

Happy to answer anymore questions you may have.

Thank you so much for taking and sharing these fabulous photos. We did Rome to Venice - 10th September 2013 and wow what a holiday we had - we didn't want to leave.

We loved the ship and met so many lovely people onboard.

Thanks again - happy days, happy memories, happy cruising :)

Pillow top - does the QE mattress have one? Has anyone got any photos of these wonderful beds / mattresses please ?