Sun Lounger Hoggers on the Dream next week BEWARE!!

[Doc2410]

Like others have said, Thomson do child free cruises & so do P&O (can't remember which ships though)

 

We have travelled with our children on Thomson Cruises in the height of the school holidays and I can't say that we have seen "children running free all over the ship". I have seen parents with their children & teenagers having a really good, family time together, eating meals together as a family, playing in the pools, taking trips together to see different wonders of the world, children & teens mixing and socialising with other passengers, joining in the fun on the ship and generally having a good time which is what family holidays should be about, shouldn't they??!!

 

We love Thomson cruises because they DON'T have super duper kids clubs, climbing walls, ice rinks etc etc. It's a real shame that your kids were "bored stiff" on a Thomson Cruise; can't think why as there's so much to do and enjoy and most of all have a great time together and see some of the world.

 

My very young at heart parents (my Dad has just turned 70, although I think he's forgotten that!) have just returned from their first Saga all inclusive holiday on a small 30 passenger boat cruising the islands of Croatia - they had a fab time, with lots of fun plenty of laughs, saw some wonderful sights and lots of other fun people on board too so maybe Saga wouldn't be good for you either if you enjoy peace & quiet??

 

Maybe your Dad can give my Hubby some tips, he's 55 going on 80!!!

I couldn't agree more about not having the big kids clubs, climbing walls etc. I want to see & spend quality time with my kids when we're on holiday. My daughter & I already have plans for an afternoon tea date & a bit of pampering away from the boys in the spa then son & I will maybe have a special meal together or afternoon tea. That's what my family does on holiday. Oh yeah I might even take Hubby to The Grill if he's lucky :D:p:D:p

[Little Nell]

I would like to point out that last New Year on the Destiny the kids I saw were great and would sit in the show lounge all dressed up

and were never a problem . You would see kids in the Lido using the food tongs and showing better manners than some of the grown ups.

 

Later one night sat in the Sky Bar everyones chilled out ,nice Ambience records playing like UB40,Simply Red etc,been like this a good hour or so ,when out of the lift pops a big man who was loud and within five minutes was shouting "can we turn that crap off please" He wanted a bit of Jazz and when they played music to his satisfaction, he then spoke to his tables company as if they were 100 yards away , everyone got every word of his conversation :(

This Year January is an adults only sailing and I can assure you that is not the reason that I booked it . :)

 

I would have to agree with you, Kalos, the kids who were on the Majesty during the half term week were absolutely no trouble at all and were splashing in the jakuzzi and having fun. That is what kids do. If you don't want to be splashed, sit away from the Jacuzzi. I am sure that we adults do lots of things that annoy kids ;)

[Doc2410]

Hi

12th August is our daughter's birthday ( which we nearly always miss !! ) but she will be 25 so isn't too upset !

We have been to Alcudia before at the same hotel and it is a really nice area and we like it. I'm sure you will too .

WE live and work in London so it is already madness but we are looking forward to experieincing all the atmosphere and fun , after all it won't happen again in my lifetime (cost us a fortune in our council tax though !!!!! ).

By the way , how is your cold , are you feeling better. I always manage to feel ill about 2 days after I arrive on holiday.

Have a fab time :D

 

Awww happy 25th to your daughter lol, it will be our 12th wedding anniversary. Not long to some but I'm only 35 so pretty good in this day & age ;)

 

We're staying at the Siesta 1 complex, not sure if you know of it? Hopefully there won't be any sunbed hogging but I doubt it :p

 

I love London but I couldn't live there, it's too manic for me lol. Be really good being in the whole atmosphere thing though, I'm sure you'll really enjoy it.

 

Cold is awful, hopefully it's at it's worst now so should be ok for Saturday. I too usually come down with something a few days into my holiday so hopefully this will be it. It's this weird weather I think!!

Topsey might just kill me if I'm not better & pass it on to her :p

[Julessmiles]

Maybe your Dad can give my Hubby some tips, he's 55 going on 80!!!

I couldn't agree more about not having the big kids clubs, climbing walls etc. I want to see & spend quality time with my kids when we're on holiday. My daughter & I already have plans for an afternoon tea date & a bit of pampering away from the boys in the spa then son & I will maybe have a special meal together or afternoon tea. That's what my family does on holiday. Oh yeah I might even take Hubby to The Grill if he's lucky :D:p:D:p

 

Sounds lovely Victoria! Can't wait to hear all your comments when you return. We too are looking forward to spending great family time away together soon on the Celebration (and my parents are coming too on our first week so my Dad will be up dancing at the deck parties with the rest of us lol!:))

 

Have a super, super time. Just want to know when are you getting time to do all your packing???!!;)

[topsey130]

I don't tend to sit around or go in a pool much when on board as we are usually off the boat when in port and am too tired when I get back to do anything other than have a nap before dinner !!!!!

I tend to have a quick dip in the pool from time to time and have no problem with whoever is in there , after all it is all of us who are on our holiday's.

The only time I have a problem is when you get the parent who has more interest in topping up the tan than looking after / supervising their child who is getting up to all sorts (luckily this is quite rare in my experience) and then when little Johnny or Jenny get into trouble (or fall overboard!!!) it's everyone else's fault but theirs.

In my experience of cruising I have actually come across more annoying adults around the pool / boat than I have children and I actually find that the children I have met have always been well behaved and well mannered.

I work in education and can only go away when it is school holiday time so you can imagine that after a year of being around children all day my tolerance levels are low , but what we actually will be doing this year is that we are doing a cruise and stay and on our 2nd week we stay at the Platja D'or in Alcudia which is Adults only so in this way we compromise and get the best of both worlds.

 

Hope you have a fantastic time next week , we got our e-tickets today and go on Dream on the 11th August , I can't wait !!!!!!!!!!

Also have Olympic tickets so looking forward to Summer ( if it ever stops raining !!!!! )

 

Have fun and look forward to your postings when your back.:)

 

:) I echo your experiences on board regrading the children and young adults I met both on my previous cruise and a various holidays I have taken and yes, there are often far more badly behaved adults in situ than children.

 

Well let's get back to the those darn sun lounger hoggers that I am on a crusade to rid the Thomson fleet of. I now have two trusty sidekicks Doc2410 and Fruitfly, am working hard on my superpowers, gym again tomorrow, success is in sight:D

[topsey130]

DOc2410 Julesmiles littlenell. I tried to do a multi quote thingy but it did not work :) but glad to hear we all seem to have similar views on children.

 

Now to get some sleep (it's so noisy the owls are twit-wooing which has started the ruddy sheep off:eek:) 3 days to go :D and I need all the beauty sleep I can get!

[Pollypro]

Children, for and against aside, I'm on your cruise and am very excited about

your quest to rid the world of sunbed hoggers!

I vowed to do the same and remove towels but fear my powers aren't as finely tuned as yours and will feel the fear when it

comes to the moment that I am about to eradicate the offending article that is the selfish, unattended towel...

[Julessmiles]

Topsey - did you manage to get any sleep despite the sheep & the owls?;) (

 

Pollypro & Topsey & Doc (and anyone else!) - all have a great time; look forward to hearing all about the Dream on your return! :):)

[driverman]

Good luck on your quest ladies and have a wonderful cruise ,, cannot wait till it,s my turn :D

 

Mrs.C

[topsey130]

Children, for and against aside, I'm on your cruise and am very excited about

your quest to rid the world of sunbed hoggers!

I vowed to do the same and remove towels but fear my powers aren't as finely tuned as yours and will feel the fear when it

comes to the moment that I am about to eradicate the offending article that is the selfish, unattended towel...

 

 

Pollypro welcome, A large G & T greatly enhances your powers, you are welcome to join the select few up holding the rights of fellow cruisers :)

 

 

Topsey - did you manage to get any sleep despite the sheep & the owls? (

 

Pollypro & Topsey & Doc (and anyone else!) - all have a great time; look forward to hearing all about the Dream on your return! :):)

 

Thanks Julesmiles we will have a fantastic time, thinking of setting up a blog site and updating along the way

 

Sleep after the Owl shut up twittering (he is very stupid flew into our window last week and knocked himself out) and the sheep stopped baaaarrring i was almost dropping off when the most horrendous noise came from outdoors......never knew cows could snore lol:D

 

 

Good luck on your quest ladies and have a wonderful cruise ,, cannot wait till it,s my turn :D

 

Mrs.C

 

Will do Mrs C.....Happy to pass the baton (post it notes) on to you so the crusade.:)

[deepsix]

I would not mind paying for a sunbed if I knew it was going to be a quality one without nuts and bolts missing as on the Dream. Less inclined to leave it for hours that way. I do agree Thomson's ships deck space is ridiculous, if there are sea days then enough sunbeds for all and extra space on top on that.

I am one on those people who are up early and when my family leave their cabin it's for the day so take everything we need and get first choice of beds, we don't leave them apart from grabbing a very quick bite to eat for breakfast and usually to be honest we have breakfast first. I do get annoyed when I see the towel brigade, around at a similar time, dress beds with their towels then go back to bed to reappear several hours later, this shouldn't happen.

Due to this problem maybe Thomsons could employ a sunbed/lifeguard/lido person to ensure people behave fairly.

My holiday revolves around laying on a sunbed relaxing and having a coool drink whilst watching the world go by, not interested in getting off nor joining in with deck games, so getting that all important sunbed is important:cool:

[joeholiday2]

Caped Crusader (and similarly masked chums).

 

What do you consider a reasonable length of time that a sunbed can be left unattended whilst the user partakes of some dinnertime comestibles?

 

On the Celebration, they request in the the Cruise News that sunbeds are not to be left for more than 45 minutes, they say staff will monitor this and remove articles after this time, we never saw this happening though.

 

My advice about the Owl problem is to use a sunbed TOWL to cover it up, that will shut it up :D

[topsey130]

I would not mind paying for a sunbed if I knew it was going to be a quality one without nuts and bolts missing as on the Dream. Less inclined to leave it for hours that way. I do agree Thomson's ships deck space is ridiculous, if there are sea days then enough sunbeds for all and extra space on top on that.

I am one on those people who are up early and when my family leave their cabin it's for the day so take everything we need and get first choice of beds, we don't leave them apart from grabbing a very quick bite to eat for breakfast and usually to be honest we have breakfast first. I do get annoyed when I see the towel brigade, around at a similar time, dress beds with their towels then go back to bed to reappear several hours later, this shouldn't happen.

Due to this problem maybe Thomsons could employ a sunbed/lifeguard/lido person to ensure people behave fairly.

My holiday revolves around laying on a sunbed relaxing and having a coool drink whilst watching the world go by, not interested in getting off nor joining in with deck games, so getting that all important sunbed is important:cool:

 

Arghhh dont let Thomson hear you say that (willing to pay) as it would be another 'added extra';)

 

Caped Crusader (and similarly masked chums).

 

What do you consider a reasonable length of time that a sunbed can be left unattended whilst the user partakes of some dinnertime comestibles?

 

On the Celebration, they request in the the Cruise News that sunbeds are not to be left for more than 45 minutes, they say staff will monitor this and remove articles after this time, we never saw this happening though.

 

My advice about the Owl problem is to use a sunbed TOWL to cover it up, that will shut it up :D

 

Hmmmm my super powers start to twitch into action after 1 hr :)

 

In all seriousness if you are spending the day on board as Deepsix above does, it does not make sense to pack up when you wander off for a spot of lunch and 1hr gives you adequate time.

 

Perhaps an idea for management would be for all guests to be issued with a small laminated card (left in your cabin) with 'at lunch' explaining that pool attendants will remove unattended towels books etc., except in the case of when you are lunching and you are then given 1hrs grace provide you display the card.

 

In the interim i'm going to have some fun :D

 

Re the Owl some suitable heavy object will be thrown out of the window tonight if it starts...knowing my luck i'll probably hit one of the cars instead

[Pollypro]

Thanks for the welcome and good wishes! I'm super excited but do have sunbed tension for our first day at sea.

[Doc2410]

Sounds lovely Victoria! Can't wait to hear all your comments when you return. We too are looking forward to spending great family time away together soon on the Celebration (and my parents are coming too on our first week so my Dad will be up dancing at the deck parties with the rest of us lol!:))

 

Have a super, super time. Just want to know when are you getting time to do all your packing???!!;)

 

Well first suitcase packed & of course it's Princess Grace's :o

I was very good, laid everything out on the bed then took some stuff away, sorted through again & put stuff back on pile then realised she had enough things to last her a round the world cruise :eek:. Took more stuff away, ironed & packed. Just 3 more cases to go :eek:

 

Welcome Pollypro. As Topsey said join us for drinky poos on board :)

[cpt lara]

i use my super powers to get up early and place a book and a towel on them there sunbeds then go back to bed then stroll up at about 11.00am ahh bliss.

(only joking)

hope you have a super holiday:)

[stevedeccaman]

on the Celebration w/c 25/06 they were putting 45 mins reminders on sunbeds ,if you did not return within time allocated all your books/ towels were sent to reception,after that a cruise passenger jury passes sentence:confused:

 

you have they choice to leave at once with a lifejacket and a charge for the towels OR watch and play and pay Bingo for 2 hours OR go to the explorer lounge and watch people fall asleep with tea and cakes :D

 

all good fun

 

ps if you do jump ship your cabin safe fee will stiil apply :rolleyes:

 

Stevie

[deepsix]

Stevie,

you missed one out.......be made to buy the Hungarian fiddlers CD:D......

 

I think the 45mins notice are great, idea how about a wipe clean board style notice you put your time you vacated on their and let people use common sense. i still maintain there should be enough for all plus extra deck space, that should be added to the design of the ship...bring on the new TUI ships as previously discussed.

[topsey130]

on the Celebration w/c 25/06 they were putting 45 mins reminders on sunbeds ,if you did not return within time allocated all your books/ towels were sent to reception,after that a cruise passenger jury passes sentence:confused:

 

you have they choice to leave at once with a lifejacket and a charge for the towels OR watch and play and pay Bingo for 2 hours OR go to the explorer lounge and watch people fall asleep with tea and cakes :D

 

all good fun

 

ps if you do jump ship your cabin safe fee will stiil apply :rolleyes:

 

Stevie

 

Welcome back Stevie,

 

I'd make them sit in the Explorers Lounge and eat a very noisy bag of crisps :D imagine the withering glares they would get :D

 

glad you had a good time, i hear you were doing Long John Silver impersonations with your bad leg (hope it gets better soon):)

[topsey130]

i use my super powers to get up early and place a book and a towel on them there sunbeds then go back to bed then stroll up at about 11.00am ahh bliss.

(only joking)

hope you have a super holiday:)

 

:D Thanks i am sure it will be a great

[happy v]

Bon Voyage to you lucky travellers.

Please try not to start a riot :eek::rolleyes: but have a fantastic holiday all of you :D.

[topsey130]

Well that's it nearly ready to go......post it notes packed;)

 

I'll be keeping a blog during the week (my latest fad) and doing a little travelogue of our cruise....in between crime fighting of course:).......;)

 

Thanks all for your well wishes, i will raise a glass to you all probabaly about this time tomorrow :D

[stevedeccaman]

enjoy :)

 

Stevie

[fizzbomb]

I was on The Dream in June and there were children on the ship, which did surprise me as it was sold as an adult only week. I didn't book that week because it was child free but I did wonder how Thompson could advertise that way but still book children. And yes the kids were in the pool and the jacuzzi but I didn't see that it caused a problem for anyone although I did hear some moans from some passengers. I actually saw a couple of elderly passengers who were sitting on the wall around the pool get annoyed because they got a little splashed ???? for goodness sake did they not realise where they were sitting!!!! Some people are only happy when they are complaining but I had the most fantastic holiday ever - I just love the staff and the special way they make you feel, wish I was back there!

[deepsix]

I was on The Dream in June and there were children on the ship, which did surprise me as it was sold as an adult only week. I didn't book that week because it was child free but I did wonder how Thompson could advertise that way but still book children. And yes the kids were in the pool and the jacuzzi but I didn't see that it caused a problem for anyone although I did hear some moans from some passengers. I actually saw a couple of elderly passengers who were sitting on the wall around the pool get annoyed because they got a little splashed ???? for goodness sake did they not realise where they were sitting!!!! Some people are only happy when they are complaining but I had the most fantastic holiday ever - I just love the staff and the special way they make you feel, wish I was back there!

 

Fizzbomb I understand how those elderly passengers felt, my family is full of kids and we do insist on adult only hols for a break and peace/quiet i would have been one of those that complained as my holiday would have been ruined....one reason we have decided not to go next year as less adult only cruises. thomsons have lost loyal customers due to that fact all repositioning cruises used to be adult only ...not anymore:mad: