Is Thomson Cruises Suitable

[ovccruiser]

Hi, I am not new to cruising, having sailed with Cunard, P & O and Fred Olsen and have yet to try Thomson, what are they really like? We are in our early 60's, enjoy cruising, obviously, like dressing up for formal nights and enjoy a chat in the bar. Itineraries are not so important as in our opinion, there is always something unexpected at each port and country we visit. So what are Thomson's like?

[Barmy2]

We found them a very caring company ,willing to help in every way,brill staff ,great food and pleasant ships.

Just returned from norway having been on spirit,you will make lots of new friends on any ship.cant compare to other company's as not been with others.

You won't know unless you go and try for yourselves.....everyone has their own opinion but for us it's thomsons.(don't know any different ha ha )

Regards Bev.

[stevedeccaman]

Kruze wil tell you all:)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Not been on Cunard or P&O, but have been on Fred.Olsen Braemar. I should say Thomson is a bit less formal than the others, with only one formal night in a week, but must say the take up is very good.

 

As Barmy2 says, lovely staff, good food and friendly passengers.

 

The ships are older, but the welcome is very warm and Thomson Entertainment is very good. I believe they use the same entertainment agency as Fred (can't remember the name :o) so similar stuff, but good venues, expecially on the Dream which has a two tier theatre. Spirit and Celebration have a two tier showlounge, plus a cinema and Majesty has two showlounges, a bit like the Braemar, but we thought the entertainment on the Majesty was very good considering the limitation of not having a proper theatre.

 

Thomson do port intensive itineraries and no BOB to cross to get anywhere.

 

We've just booked our eighth cruise with Thomson, but we also like Princess and Fred.

[geomagot]

I have been on cunard and yes i will agree thomsons are less formal, the passenger demographic is about the same, mix of families, older & younger couples from all walks of life

 

on thoms you can do the whole formal dj & champagne followed by casino & cocktails thing and not be out of place at all

 

many do scrub up for formal night....others dont and remain in casual holiday mode...whatever you like on holiday is fine

 

cunard have tricky dress codes (not just in the restaurants but in some of the bars and other venues too)

 

on thoms its either one or the other, smart (country club) casual (most nights) or formal (black tie) for mdr on (the one per week) formal evening only, dress codes dont apply in any other area of the ship (other than that you should wear a reasonable amount of coverings/clothes)

 

entertainment is better on thomson’s imo....I have been on ships that have had vast hi tech theatres with remote controlled back drops, computer effects and state of the art sound, and the entertainment has been??...adequate

 

once you have seen what the hard working thomsons showteams can do on just a patch of lino....then 'state of the art' stages kinda lose their appeal a little

 

drinks prices on thomsons are good value....and no daily service charges

[SuzyPaulB]

Hi Geoff and Sally, the one different thing you will find with Thomson Cruises is that it is far less formal. There is one formal night per seven night cruise when we wear our usual posh frocks and DJ, however please don't let that put you off. Thomson cruises are incredibly friendly and I will always remember being quite in awe of fellow passengers on our first ever cruise and being put at our ease at dinner by every single person that we met. (Open sitting means you meet quite alot of new faces!) Our own little family of four love cruising with both Thomson and P & O, but Thomson edges it for us now and my parents who have also cruised with both lines love both. The ships are clearly older and do not have the eateries and celeb chefs that you have experienced but they do have an absolute charm of their own.

As you clearly love cruising I would say book one as I am sure you will enjoy it!

 

Happy cruising,

Suzy

[kruzseeka]

Kruze wil tell you all:)

 

:D But only limited experience of other cruise lines!

 

I would agree with what the other posters have said and yes Linda they do use the same entertainment company as Fred - it's Peel Entertainment based in Keighley (at least I think that's where it is).

 

Thomson's strengths are indeed the ambience, service, port intensive itineraries (and the help you generally can get onboard regarding independent travel), entertainment and general warmth and friendliness of both crew and fellow passengers. The shows in particular are usually considered to be excellent if that's the kind of thing you enjoy - often a themed show based on some musicals/West End shows. I must say they kicked P&O into a cocked hat on that score!

 

We find the atmosphere on Thomson suits us - we like to get dressed up for the one formal night per week (D.J and long dress) and eat in the main dining room each evening so make an effort with the smart casual too - in common with others. It is very civilised but not stuffy - and not pretentious. We like to take everyone as we find them, will actively engage in conversation with anyone who wishes to reciprocate and have made some very good friends over the years.

 

We enjoyed P&O but did find it a little down-beat at the side of Thomson which is more fun - although there is something for everyone - we've seen some superb classical musicians on Thomson too. The showteam on Thomson do so much more than on P&O or NCL. After two shows in the evening they will often do a late cabaret and do real live deck parties - leading the singing and creating a great atmosphere - poles apart from P&O! NCL entertainment was poor and the passengers lacked manners and were very loud - at least on the sailing we did. I'm sure different ships and different itineraries on these lines will vary considerably but we certainly haven't been tempted back to NCL although we would go on P&O again for the right itinerary.

 

I think perhaps it's the old adage which has been used a lot on here; thomson is all about the software not the hardware. No 'Wow' factor on thomson ships but comfortable and homely. It all depends on what you want. If you are impressed and like the decor and glamour of ships perhaps it's not for you - but if it's the atmosphere which is more important I think you would find Thomson worth a try. Some peole would say it's just not for them - but others we meet who have travelled extensively on other lines say there is something about Thomson they love. We met a couple on Aurora we first met on Thomson Destiny years ago. They've done a World Cruise on P&O and had enjoyed it very much - but they did say the entertainment didn't compare. They also still go back on Thomson. Horses for courses.

 

Here is a link to the detailed comparison I did after a recent trip on Aurora - but each ship and each itinerary can attract a different passenger profile and onboard atmosphere so that is only really good for that cruise and may not be typical of P&O in general.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1865411&highlight=p%26o+thomson

 

Hope this helps - I know you said you weren't too bothered about destinations as you could find something of interest in most places, but Thomson tend to do very few sea days which appeals to us and they do have some interesting itineraries too. Let us know if you decide to book a Thomson cruise - and I hope if so it provides you with an experience you will enjoy. :)

[1160451]

Hi we have cruised with Fred Olsen, P and O and Thomsons.

 

If your ok with Fred and P and O you will be ok with Thomson.

 

Ok maybe less formal but we are into the Formal nights and we have never felt out of place on Thomson.

 

Entertainment similar to Fred.

 

We have only cruised on the Destiny and our friends on Spirit, and ships themselves are a little dated and worn.Not cruised on the newer ships.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

.

[ovccruiser]

Thanks all, very informative and we may well consider a Thomson cruise soon.

[arbhorseal]

Have just returned from our 3rd cruise. The first two were with P&O and Cunard.

 

We made a huge mistake with the Thomson Spirit and did not enjoy it all.

 

I felt the only thing lacking on the Spirit was "kiss me quick" hats.

 

The food was very average, the entertainment akin to the pantommime season, drinks awful and being a very old ship she rolled like a dog in a couple of metre swell.

 

Big mistake for us.....back to Cunard thank you.

[geomagot]

I felt the only thing lacking on the Spirit was "kiss me quick" hats.

 

 

I'm sure they would have provided them if you had asked;)

[happy v]

Have just returned from our 3rd cruise. The first two were with P&O and Cunard.

 

We made a huge mistake with the Thomson Spirit and did not enjoy it all.

 

I felt the only thing lacking on the Spirit was "kiss me quick" hats.

 

The food was very average, the entertainment akin to the pantommime season, drinks awful and being a very old ship she rolled like a dog in a couple of metre swell.

 

Big mistake for us.....back to Cunard thank you.

 

 

It always amazes me that people go on holiday on a ship and then expect it not to move:confused::confused:

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Well, I've not been on Cunard, but I understand you are not allowed on the top deck if you are in steerage class ;) Still, you can't let the plebs up there can you;)? :D:D

[Jakanne1]

Well, I've not been on Cunard, but I understand you are not allowed on the top deck if you are in steerage class ;) Still, you can't let the plebs up there can you;)? :D:D

 

Really, Linda? I have a friend who has been on QM2. I know they have different dining restaurants but I did not know that the top deck was out of bounds!

She did say that even in a force 9 gale that the ship was steady.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Really, Linda? I have a friend who has been on QM2. I know they have different dining restaurants but I did not know that the top deck was out of bounds!

She did say that even in a force 9 gale that the ship was steady.

When we were on the Eclipse last year, a couple on our table told us that. Perhaps OP can tell us if that is true :confused::confused:

[geomagot]

Its tru linda

 

there are grills decks, grills lounges, private grills parties and grills caviar:rolleyes:

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Its tru linda

 

there are grills decks, grills lounges, private grills parties and grills caviar:rolleyes:

Thanks Geo :):)