Dream Turned Nightmare

[gillhalfpint]

The Dream was our first ever cruise in Jan 13, and we booked Jan 14 when we got home on her. We are booked for Jan 15 too. Love her, but I think your first cruise ship is always a bit special.

[BaggersCruising]

Have a great time, Baggers.

 

I am extremely jealous and would love to be going too :D

 

I am also a fan of the ship and indeed we are looking at going back on her next year. The things that are wrong with her are all in Thomson's control to put right.....when the passengers are not there ;)

 

There are many things I really like about the ship: the spacious cabins; the ample deck space; the choice of a quiet or lively pool; the theatre; the promenade deck.

 

The Dream is the last ship in the fleet that I would choose to get rid off :rolleyes:

 

Thanks Little Nell!

 

I completely agree with you, it does have it's little niggles and nothing majorly wrong and Thomson could easily put things right. It does prove they do listen to their customers sometimes too as many people have been saying for a few years now about getting rid of the sports deck and replacing it with another sunbathing area. It's a double edge sword for me as I did use the sports deck, but also at the same time, the majority of passengers didn't. We'll have to buy a football and have a kickabout on a beach somewhere instead!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I think my views on the Dream are well documented :rolleyes::D but on the poll I did, 60% of people who took part voted to return the ship to Costa ;)

[FOD1984]

Ok. So more details. First cruise ever. From the perspective of a 30 year old travelling as a couple. Do remember I don't have anything to compare to as this is my first cruise.

 

Checkin:

Relatively smooth. Queued for about 15 minutes but it was in a nice terminal and there was a very nice atmosphere so it didn't bother me at all. The process of getting from the plane to the ship was well organised and very easy.

 

Cabin:

Deck 7. Stairwell C. Fantastic location for deck 8 and all of the venues. It was clean, comfy and well decorated. Attended well by Matthew who always did a great job. Whilst my partner was using the shower however when switching it off, the the shower handle came off and high pressure water spurted out at a 90 degree angle, soaking the bathroom. Took a bit of quick thinking, towels and the bathroom bin to stop it flooding the cabin. This was fixed within a few minutes. However as explained the noise of the rebuild meant the cabin was unusable during the day. No lie ins as even with ear plugs I was woken.

 

Food:

Fifty Shades of Pork - available on a Thomson cruise near you! Serious pork overkill. It was tasty enough but gets a bit tedious in the end.

 

The Grill was AMAZING and well worth it. I thought it was brilliant. The buffets were pretty good, but the Orion food was very disappointing. On night one I had smoked salmon pasta and there were three traces of salmon in the whole dish.

 

The night time snacks were very similar every night - chicken skin curry isn't the most appetising thing late at night! Desserts were all very much variations on a theme with some odd concoctions - such as the bizarre barley torte.

 

Drink:

Very good selection of cocktails having tried most of them. I found the house wines to be very drinkable and were always topped up in the waiter restaurants. I was all inclusive and got great value from it but I'm not sure about paying £239 for it in future.

 

Ship:

I found the ship to be very comfortable and spotlessly clean however some areas are a bit tired. Way too much brass everywhere and the casino area is a bit tacky.

 

The Medusa lounge was very comfortable, well decorated and light and airy.

 

Stairwells and the Orion all feel very dated with brass literally everywhere which make the ship look pretty tired. Outside areas were lovely and the teak decks were beautiful and it felt like a real ocean liner.

 

Crew:

As a whole I found them to be pretty average but a handful of them I thought were absolutely fantastic.

 

Entertainment:

I thought as a whole it was good and although Dream isn't a big ship, Thomson know how to make the most of the ship. I found the evenings in Medusa lounge to be pretty entertaining. I went in the theatre twice and although the performers and stages were great I found it was more of a collection of songs instead of a whole story/play being performed. But I am not sure if that is a Thomson thing or cruise ships in general. Filled in a few hours I suppose.

 

Passengers:

We met some great people and there was a great atmosphere onboard and despite being one of the younger passengers we found lots of great friendly people and were up for a laugh. I think some people need to work on their buffet etiquette however - I saw someone handle bread then put it back and use a cheese tong in a ham salad - not great if you're a veggie or not able to eat pork. Not a Thomson issue I am sure but some people need to think! Also spotted a baby being changed in a public area by the lido pool which is absolutely disgusting. There's no excuse for this. It's disgusting and unhygienic.

 

I think a few passengers took pity on us as we were young and explained that earlier on in the summer there were a lot more younger people onboard but we honestly were not bothered but to some peoples having a more mature passenger profile onboard may be a problem.

 

When chatting to passengers a lot of them cruise regularly with Thomson and it seems to have a bit of a cult following so I appreciate that some of my comments may not go down too well. But I'm being open and honest, and I don't sugar coat.

 

Tours:

I found them to be expensive, but inline with tours I have seen in a resort so we only used one and hat was Tangier for the city tour. Great city but we spent 1/4 of the four hour tour getting the hard sell in a perfume/herbalist shop then in a craft shop. Not for me and it really spoiled the tour.

 

Refurbishment:

Ok, so I have said the ship is dated and I do welcome any change but I do not appreciate my holiday being spoiled by rebuild work being done despite the ship being booked to be docked and refurbished next week. On holiday I like to chill out and wake up when I want, not when maintenance staff start banging or drilling as early as 0745. The cabin was not usable due to the noise until around 1800 so afternoon naps or chill out time was done on deck. We complained to reception but it was very much a matter of 'too bad, it's started now so we can't stop it'.

 

I spent most days eating on deck to escape the noise in the Lido and the Sirens restaurant. Using the lifts in Stairwell C was unnerving with all the noise so I avoided but even walking up the stairs to deck 11 was extremely loud. On departure day I used the Lido and had to use the lift to return to deck 8 as they shut off the stairs when I was eating breakfast.

 

On day 6 there was no running water due to a 'damaged pipe' for several hours and then it took longer to get hot water. Not ideal after a long day of sightseeing.

 

Overall:

It was an introduction to cruising and taught us a lot. We will cruise again but I would have to think very hard if rebooking with Thomson and it seems there have been several instances of this occurring. A passenger informed me that crews will be onboard renovating as far as when the ship reaches the Caribbean in a few weeks so it won't just be us on the Iberian Escapade that will be disrupted. If that it true I'd recommend anyone book a cabin away from stair wells and on deck 6 and below to provide a bit of a buffer between the renovation work on deck 8.

 

I am so disappointed. I had looked forward to this cruise for ages :-(

[Little Nell]

Great review FOD 1984. Thanks for that :)

 

I am disappointed to hear about the pork. The food is an area I am not prepared to compromise on.

 

May have to rethink my summer plans ;)

[mansej]

I was on this cruise could you please give me e mail addresses, so I can complain about the noise etc. Thank you.

[mansej]

I have written a full review on our cruise Nov 20th to 27th.

Seriously annoyed about the work being carried out regardless of disturbance to paying guests.

We were on deck 6 and used stairwell C most of the time but found it ridiculously noisy the last few days. Also the noise up on deck 12 stopped us using Sirens which we preferred to the Lido.

With the roof over Deck 11 it distorted the sound of entertainment .

No hot water on the last evening at a time when we were getting ready was the final straw

Apologies from the Captain (who is a very friendly and competent man) are not good enough. Thomsons started the refurb far too early. They should be the ones apologising.

Food OK but not brilliant, most deserts very bland.

DP wine good in MD but inferior on other decks!

Crew excellent, show team excellent, cleanliness excellent.:)

Ship could do with a month in dry dock to update bathrooms/furniture in cabins and furniture/toilet facilities on decks.

Lido buffet is badly designed and feels like a work canteen while Sirens is far more user friendly.

[kruzseeka]

FOD1984 - I think you have given us a very measured and fair account of your experience. Because you have explained clearly what issues caused you disappointment I would say it would be difficult for anyone to argue with your complaints. Sadly, the food issue is exactly as we experienced a year ago - I'm so much waiting to hear that things have improved on that front - but unfortunately your comments don't give me any confidence that it has. :(

 

I am pleased though that you found some positives too - enjoying the company of fellow passengers, for example. I hope what you have learned about cruising has whetted your appetite and you will enjoy many more. Happy future cruising! :)

 

mansej - you have highlighted some things Thomson do very well and from our experiences, I would wholeheartedly agree with those. Such a shame though your holiday was marred by the refurb work being done whilst passengers were on board. It's feasible that some very limited (quiet) work might be possible during a cruise but it's taking advantage and disrespectful of customers to try to save money by reducing the ship's 'down time' out of service and carrying out such work whilst paying passengers are on board. This is especially so when it is disruptive, noisy and inconvenient. Absence of a water supply is unacceptable except perhaps in an emergency - but this was programmed work!

 

I wish you both well in following up your issues with Thomson - I believe they have a case to answer.

[FOD1984]

Thanks Kruzseeker, we definitely have the cruising bug now we are already looking for cruises for next year :-)

[mansej]

Thank you Kruzseeker for your comments. We also love to cruise and hope to do so in the future. But will watch out for any refurbs near the date we will go;)

[FOD1984]

Just received an email from Thomson:

:mad:

 

"With regards to maintenance being carried out on-board our vessels we do state in our A-Z guides in the back of our brochures that customers may not necessarily be informed of this work, it should however be kept to a minimum. I know this was not the case for you".

 

 

"We take our customer feedback very seriously and I would like to reassure you that all issues you have raised will be fed back to our Cruise Team so that any necessary changes can be made as and where possible".

 

Whist maintenance is understandable, rebuilds are not maintenance. They are rebuilds and are planned. Typical Thomson reply.

 

I never saw an A-Z guide as we booked online and did not see such a guide. I'd recommend anyone on the upcoming sailing to get in touch with Thomson and get a cabin away from the work as maintance crews will be carried as far as the Caribbean. Escaping on shore to avoid the noise was possible for us, it will not be possible for you in your sea days.

 

We have replied saying that is not good enough and copied in the CEO.

Edited November 28, 2014 by FOD1984

[rochdalepaul]

We was also in the floating building site! Thomson show no respect to loyal customers. We was in a Grand Suite on deck 11' every time the ship sailed there was awful fuel fumes in the cabin, the air con didn't work, and neither did the jacuzzi bath! One day we had a sign tied to the balcony door warning us not to use the balcony as workmen above! Total disgrace, they couldn't even wait for passengers to leave before stacking the chairs up in the medusa lounge on one side !

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[BaggersCruising]

Just received an email from Thomson:

:mad:

 

"With regards to maintenance being carried out on-board our vessels we do state in our A-Z guides in the back of our brochures that customers may not necessarily be informed of this work, it should however be kept to a minimum. I know this was not the case for you".

 

Whist maintenance is understandable, rebuilds are not maintenance. They are rebuilds and are planned. Typical Thomson reply.

 

I never saw an A-Z guide. I'd recommend anyone on the upcoming sailing to get in touch with Thomson and get a cabin away from the work as maintance crews will be carried as far as the Caribbean. Escaping on shore to avoid the noise was possible for us, it will not be possible for you in your sea days.

 

They'll get a lot of angry passengers if they do carry the work on through to the Caribbean, and they didn't do that last year despite the ship being in wet dock beforehand like this year.

 

The sailing next week is sold out so it's now too late to start booking particular cabins away from any work, but I'm keeping an open mind that the work will be finished before she sails from Lanzarote next Thursday, unless we hear any different from Thomson themselves.

[FOD1984]

I hope that is the case baggars, but another passenger definitely said to me that some contractors are travelling to the Caribbean as they considered themselves to be lucky to have gotten that trip. They've happily ruined the Iberian Escapade trip for a lot of us. I hope that those on the next cruise wil be treated with a bit more respect. I can't see Thomson telling anyone anything. After all 'maintenance' being carried out does not warrent them contacting you, as per the A-Z guide.

Edited November 28, 2014 by FOD1984

[muffinman1]

I hope the majority of the work is finished before we go onboard on the 6th January for our 2 week carribean cruise, maybe the workers that are saying their getting a great trip going to the carribean to work on the ship,might not be that lucky , have they never heard the saying MAN OVERBOARD , and I,ll be to drunk to save them with all the A/I booze I,ll be downing , bring it on 6 weeks till holidays :D

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Thank you Kruzseeker for your comments. We also love to cruise and hope to do so in the future. But will watch out for any refurbs near the date we will go;)

 

Thanks Kruzseeker, we definitely have the cruising bug now we are already looking for cruises for next year :-)

 

Can recommend the Majesty, also Fred Olsen and Princess cruises.

[FOD1984]

Thanks LINDA. Funny you should mention Princess, we found a great deal on it that we both like, I just need to hope I get the leave that I want from work. I think we are done with Thomson.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Thanks LINDA. Funny you should mention Princess, we found a great deal on it that we both like, I just need to hope I get the leave that I want from work. I think we are done with Thomson.

You are probably too young for Fred yet :rolleyes: but we have been on Sea Princess and twice on Crown Princess - all great cruises. They are very friendly ships (not sure about the bigger ones) very like Thomson but with newer ships :)

[infoqueen]

Well dont know really what else to add to the comments. You have put it all extremely well. The noise was horrendous up on deck 11 this was definately refurbishments not maintenance as they were using jack hammers on the sports deck digging it up. I felt so sorry for people affected. Service in orion deteriorated over the week we were having to ask for water, a wine waiter, cutlery etc by days 4 onwards. The only thing that stayed at constant high standard was the cabin staff. Thank you so much Andry you were superb and a chocolate on the pillow every night without fail.The water failure is just something that happens sometimes we had it on spirit too. Food needs improving hopefully that will happen with the new agency. Annoyingly it was a bit difficult getting into the shows sometimes as the mezzanine was shut off dont know why. Our cabin 7088 looks like it needs a refurb desperately. But we were pleased to get midships as we hadnt booked it. Smell of fuel on the upper deck was evident. But we met some fantastic people on there and on the whole had a good time. We are british thats what we do isnt it. Seas were calm weather not too bad for November. Still think Thomson should have emailed and warned of possible disruption. We didnt realise this until we noticed that there we builders flying out from birmingham on our flight with us. Warning bells then did slightly ring. Still my favourite ship though and spotlessly clean so well done housekeeping team and by the way the crew show was fantastic.

[kruzseeka]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2851563/Building-works-turns-couple-s-Thomson-holiday-Tenerife-nightmare.html

 

Doesn't look as though Thomson are going to be too sympathetic! :rolleyes: £30!!! :eek:

 

Unforeseen maintenance, emergency repairs we can all understand but major refurb/up-grading should be scheduled at a time when passengers' hard-won holidays aren't likely to be ruined or in any way adversely affected! But that would mean taking the ship out of service for longer - costs money. That's the issue here - profits and customers ignored!!

[Julessmiles]

So sad to read all these comments having had a fantastic time on the Dream this year. The wonderful Hotel Manager that was on when we were was away on leave this last week - don't blame her!

 

When will Thomson ever learn?? :( :(

Edited November 29, 2014 by Julessmiles

[maxymaxy1]

I hope the majority of the work is finished before we go onboard on the 6th January for our 2 week carribean cruise, maybe the workers that are saying their getting a great trip going to the carribean to work on the ship,might not be that lucky , have they never heard the saying MAN OVERBOARD , and I,ll be to drunk to save them with all the A/I booze I,ll be downing , bring it on 6 weeks till holidays :D

 

 

I, for one will be first in the queue to complain if they are carrying work out still across to the Caribbean. Where will the contractors sleep if the ship is full. I cant see there being many crew cabins available. We have been booked since March and am so looking froward to this cruise:)

[campolady]

We too were on Iberian Escapades last week and completely agree with the unacceptable water and noise issues. We are contacting Thomson with our complaints.

 

However, we certainly didn´t have any food problems - we only ate in Orions though - and thought the choice and presentation much improved on last year (we had both lunch and dinner in Orion and never had to choose Pork once).

Edited November 29, 2014 by campolady

[kruzseeka]

However, we certainly didn´t have any food problems - we only ate in Orions though - and thought the choice and presentation much improved on last year (we had both lunch and dinner in Orion and never had to choose Pork once).

 

:D:D:D Hoorah! Sorry quotes not working again - but so pleased to hear this campolady - wonder if it is to do with the new agency. I know Peel are given a contract to supply the entertainment and clearly that involves the training, employmentof staff as well as the staging, costumes and every thing to do with the entertainment package but I perhaps naively thought that the agencies just provided the personnel for the dining room, hotel side etc. and not providing whatever else goes with the catering, housekeeping. But logically perhaps they, like Peel are given a budget to deliver the whole shooting match - staff and materials i.e food or hotel requirements and if that's the case a change of agency may well herald a new era of food quality and service depending on how well the company manage their budgets. Does anyone know how it works? Off to check out some Thomson itineraries now! :D;)

[BaggersCruising]

I, for one will be first in the queue to complain if they are carrying work out still across to the Caribbean. Where will the contractors sleep if the ship is full. I cant see there being many crew cabins available. We have been booked since March and am so looking froward to this cruise:)

 

You and me both maxymaxy1. We join the ship on Thursday and I have it in writing that the refurbishment is scheduled for the downtime in November and absolutely no mention of any refurbs continuing whilst en route to the Caribbean.