swanmark Posted March 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Hi Guys, we are very new to cruising and wondered if Thomson are any good, we have read quite a few negative reports about various things, like the ships being full of screaming kids, and the cabins being quite run down, so that's why I am asking the people who know, also which is the best Thomson ship to cruise on, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janny444 Posted March 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Hi....we have cruised many times....once you give it a go it spoils you for anything else and as it will be your first cruise you will probably think it wonderful. We have cruised with many different cruise lines including Thomson. The positives....from our perspective....entertainment ...one of the best of the cruise lines..I was very very impressed. Food...for us was good. Itinerary ...it cruised to where we wanted. Negatives ....from our perspective....it was a very old ship....the Spirit...and it showed. We also found that Thomson struggled to "handle" a large amount of people....especially at Ports Of Call....they needed to see how the bigger and specialist cruise companies do it and learn from it....maybe they now have. Would I cruise with them again.....yes but only on the "newer ships....Discovery & Discovery 2...they are the ships bought from Royal Caribbean....what I would class as "proper cruise ships" and not "glorified ferries" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suekay Posted March 19, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 19, 2017 My thoughts exacly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanmark Posted March 19, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Thanks Guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campolady Posted March 19, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Have been on Thomson Dream 5 times, Thomson Spirit once and Thomson Majesty twice - all 8 cruises have been excellent but, although still most enjoyable, Dream is definitely now showing her age and the other 2 leave the Thomson fleet at the end of this Summer (such a shame as Majesty is by far our favourite ship). We generally stay in 4 or 5 star hotels but, although cabins may be a little more basic than top quality hotel rooms, have never felt that we have been missing out even though we always book basic cabins as we prefer to put the money charged for cabin upgrades towards a future cruise. This year we are trying the new to Thomson Discovery 2 in May. Thomson ships may not be the most 'posh' but you certainly cannot beat them for crew, entertainment, passengers and itineraries. I personally think the quote of 'glorified ferries' in an earlier post is an insult to the Thomson fleet. Give them a try and I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted March 19, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Must agree with camolady we have been on over fifty cruises with Thomson and already have another three booked, they just suit our requirements from a cruise, food, entrainment, crew for us are perfect this together with the atmosphere on board is perfect for us, yes they are old without the glitz of the new super ships , the only really way to find if it suits is try it. We are oldie's and still like to dress for dinner but with Thomson you have plenty of options and you have a wide age group onboard so it's not just for oldie's, we personally always go for the outside cabins so can't give info on the inside. Bottom line it's up to you but after all our time with Thomson we have no problems with booking again😀 Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ormy Posted March 19, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 19, 2017 We like the smaller ships, which Thomson are, ok they may be a bit worn, but everything else matches anything we have experienced with other cruise lines. And the most important thing about Thomson are the itineraries - with normally only one day at sea each week, and longer days in ports visited. Give us Thomson any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tilford Posted March 19, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Have been on Thomson Dream 5 times, Thomson Spirit once and Thomson Majesty twice - all 8 cruises have been excellent but, although still most enjoyable, Dream is definitely now showing her age and the other 2 leave the Thomson fleet at the end of this Summer (such a shame as Majesty is by far our favourite ship). We generally stay in 4 or 5 star hotels but, although cabins may be a little more basic than top quality hotel rooms, have never felt that we have been missing out even though we always book basic cabins as we prefer to put the money charged for cabin upgrades towards a future cruise. This year we are trying the new to Thomson Discovery 2 in May. Thomson ships may not be the most 'posh' but you certainly cannot beat them for crew, entertainment, passengers and itineraries. I personally think the quote of 'glorified ferries' in an earlier post is an insult to the Thomson fleet. Give them a try and I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Agree completely, it's the great crew that make it for me. And the fact that tips are included and on-board prices are in sterling. The clincher for me is the open dining and how you can always get a table for 2 if that's what you want. Give Thomson a try, I don't think you will regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithsheff Posted March 19, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Personally we always go with Thomson's if we can. I find them much more laid back which we prefer. There's none of the ' you can only eat in here if you are in a certain cabin'. The open dining is a bonus and i like that all the tips are included, though we do leave tips at the end!! I can't fault the food and we always go for the inclusive drinks, this is usually free as we book so far in advance, but we have also paid for it. Lastly you can't fault the staff, they are fantastic and it always amazes me that they remember what I drink as they much serve loads of people. The discovery ship is fantastic, the others can look a bit tired but to be honest that isn't an issue for us we go for the service and the port's they visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake 26 Posted March 19, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 19, 2017 We only recently moved to Thomson after a lot of cruises with P&O mainly and some with Royal Caribbean. The 2 latest Thomson ships, Discovery 1 & 2, were originally with Royal Caribbean as Splendour of the Seas and Legend of the Seas respectively. They are Vision class ships, which means they are light and airy,and they have an excellent range of accommodation, including a lot of balcony cabins. We preferred Discovery 1 to any of P&O's current ships, and are returning to her next week. She is a real cruise ship in our opinion, rather than a floating block of flats. You will get hordes of children on any family friendly ship in school holidays, and visits to the forums of the various lines will turn up complaints about children in those periods. We don't cruise during school holidays and have not witnessed that problem. We really liked the Thomson overall product and found our fellow passengers to be a very friendly cross section of society with a good age range. The whole experience was very relaxing and enjoyable. It's down to individual choice ultimately. The new megaships offer more recreational facilities for families while Thomson offer a more conventional smaller cruise ship experience with good food and entertainment and friendly service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithsheff Posted March 19, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Hi again, Forgot to mention that we our last trip was Oct half term and there were a few children, but we wouldn't normally go on school holidays so it isn't much of an issue. On that trip there was one couple that did nothing but complain about the amount of kids. Though many of us pointed out that it was half term so expected really. They're reply was that families with children shouldn't be able to afford it ???? They demanded the exact number of kids from the captain and put a complaint in??? Apart from this everyone we have met have been very friendly and i find them very down to earth. I can't recommend Thomson's enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila49 Posted March 19, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Was going to reply but think it's all been said, but I will anyway! We choose Thomson for the itineraries, usually only one sea day per week, flights from local airports, included tips, the friendly staff, the entertainment, the friendliness of other passengers, oh and the food! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila49 Posted March 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Forgot the reasonably priced drinks or free all inclusive if you book early enough! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare elmsliebev Posted March 19, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 19, 2017 We've cruised with other lines (Cunard, P&O, Costa) and have never had a bad cruise. For me, the food and entertainment on Thomsons are excellent, we had the best meal ever on a ship in Mistral on Celebration last year. Yes the ships we've been on (Calypso, Majesty and Celebration) are older and smaller but that is part of the charm. Yes, the cabins are a bit dated but very clean and the beds are comfortable. I like the wide age range and love the fact that they have bike tours. We were on the Celebration last July in the Adriatic and have booked for her in the Caribbean next January. Give Thomsons a go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted March 19, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Remember the old Calypso great last cruise on her through the Corinth canal, good old days. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare elmsliebev Posted March 20, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Remember the old Calypso great last cruise on her through the Corinth canal, good old days. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Yes, I did the Corinth canal as well, wonderful experience. Last year we did a bike tour from the Celebration which took us over the canal and my DH couldn't believe I'd sailed through it! I have the photos to prove it though :D The entertainment was also excellent, I remember an afternoon play of Hobson's Choice. Calypso was my first Thomson's ship, lovely little lady! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted March 20, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Remember the CD Keith Maynard? One of the best IMO, he did a commentary all the way fantastic trip, I also recall that they had to drain the swimming pool to give a little extra draft and we still bounced off the sides. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare elmsliebev Posted March 20, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Remember the CD Keith Maynard? One of the best IMO, he did a commentary all the way fantastic trip, I also recall that they had to drain the swimming pool to give a little extra draft and we still bounced off the sides. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app PC - I don't remember the name of the CD but I know one (Entertainments Director - is that the same as CD?) was a bald-headed Yorkshireman who was excellent. Yes, I'd forgotten about the pool being drained! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longislandtea Posted March 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 20, 2017 I started off on Ocean Village, when the ships went to Australia I stayed with P&O. Christmas time this year I went on Dream. The ship was a bit old and did not have the glamour that P&O have, but the people and staff were amazing. So I'm staying with Thomason and have booked on Discovery for later in the year. My advice, if you have one cruise, you will be totally hooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nannyannie Posted March 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Yes, agree Thomson are our favourite line. Also remember Keith Maynard. He was just wonderful. I believe he went to Cunard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted March 20, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 20, 2017 He now sells footwear on QVC! Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nannyannie Posted March 20, 2017 #22 Share Posted March 20, 2017 I do think he was the best Cruise Director we have ever had with Thomsons or any ship for that matter. However it is not an easy life for them and they all work very hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
womaninamansworld Posted April 5, 2017 #23 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Have been on Thomson Dream 5 times, Thomson Spirit once and Thomson Majesty twice - all 8 cruises have been excellent but, although still most enjoyable, Dream is definitely now showing her age and the other 2 leave the Thomson fleet at the end of this Summer (such a shame as Majesty is by far our favourite ship). We generally stay in 4 or 5 star hotels but, although cabins may be a little more basic than top quality hotel rooms, have never felt that we have been missing out even though we always book basic cabins as we prefer to put the money charged for cabin upgrades towards a future cruise. This year we are trying the new to Thomson Discovery 2 in May. Thomson ships may not be the most 'posh' but you certainly cannot beat them for crew, entertainment, passengers and itineraries. I personally think the quote of 'glorified ferries' in an earlier post is an insult to the Thomson fleet. Give them a try and I am sure you will have a wonderful time. - i agree that "glorified ferries" is an insult Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted April 5, 2017 #24 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Womaninamansworld - you have just posted that you have been on Celebration twice - that makes 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted April 5, 2017 #25 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Womaninamansworld - you've also just posted that you went on the inaugural cruise with Discovery - that's 11 🚢😎⏸ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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