New to Thomson Cruises, considering going on the Dream, please help!

We have never sailed with Thompson Cruise before. We are considering a cruise to southern Caribbean called "Pride of Panama" in February. We are used to cruising on big ships that ranges between 2,000, up to 4,500 passengers. So just a bit concerned that we will find the Thomson Dream too small. Could you please share your experience with us, about the food, service, passengers age, and the entertainment offered. We usually like to watch the show after dinner. Are they half decent, are or they more on a small scale amateur like quality? We also like to do a bit of ballroom or club dancing. I don't expect to do any ballroom dancing there since it normally requires a lounge with a good size dance floor, but are there at least one or two lounges with a live band or a DJ that plays good dancing music every night? What type of night life does it offer? Is the ship pretty quiet after 11pm, (such as Holland America), or still very lively (such as Royal Caribbean)? Please share any information you can, we really appreciate it, we are just concerned that with a small ship like the Dream, and there is going to be 2 sea days, that hopefully we have enough to do, especially after dinner. Thanks in advance.

Hi we returned from the Dream after doing a 17 day cruise TA just before Christmas. My review has been posted on this site and reading it might help you decide. Be aware that she is a smaller, older ship than those of the larger cruise lines. Having said that I think you will find plenty to do after dinner. There are generally 2 shows in the theatre at 8.30 and 10.30 and sometimes a later show. Medusa lounge provides quizzes and live music, it has a small dance floor. Tides bar generally live music and there is a small but nice dance floor there also. The Waters edge is lively as it is next to the casino and also has live music and a small dance floor. There are quizzes during the afternoon on deck and when we were on dance classes in the Medusa during the afternoon. Plus various other activities. We really enjoyed our cruise and there should be something to do for everyone. Average age on ours was probably mid 50s upwards but that I think is normal for a long TA crossing. When we were on her November 2014 for 7 days there was a far wider age range. Hope this helps:)

In response to your query about the entertainment, the evening shows are the best we've seen and based on mini West End type productions. They are a small company usually 11 with 5/6 main singers and then the dancers but the dancers do sing in production numbers (not mime like on most other lines), they have mics so even the small group pack a punch. Some of the dancers have numbers they perform as soloists too.

The stage isn't huge but with fewer performers that doesn't matter to us - there is plenty of interesting, imaginative, very slick and often edgy choreography which in comparison far exceeds that we've seen elsewhere. In general I would say the overall standard of performance, staging, production, costumes and choreography is superior to that we've seen on NCL, Celebrity, P&O and Cunard.

It is the Thomson style of shows though. With a predominantly British audience they don't have to go as much for the magician, acrobat, illusionist, tribute act type shows. So if you like production shows I think you will like Thomson - you will get more per week than any other cruise line too. It used to be 5 production shows per week plus a Concerto (cabaret style) and one guest act - not certain if this is still the case. But the showteam do also do individual cabaret spots late at night too and live deck parties. I take my hat off to the showteams on Thomson - we've never seen any group come close on any ship for number of shows/performances. And if you're doing a 14 night cruise, you shouldn't be getting repeats.

Of course showteams change and occasionally we felt an odd team perhaps didn't live up to some we've raved about, but nevertheless the style of shows Thomson produce we think are the best - to suit our taste anyway and what we miss most if we travel with other lines.

If its this feb you are wanting to go the current showteam is on of the best we have seen, there is a band called soundroom who play the medusa lounge, heart and soul, and 2intense, 2 duos, a pianst called keith kerslake and currently a steel drum player

The waters edge has had a refurb and seems to be the place to be late at night with 2 intense (tom and maris)

Currently she shows are man in the mirror (michael jackson) curse of skull island, broadway bitz, hot hot hot, styled by rock these are the ones we saw but the teams learn 10 shows which they do over a 2 week period and also 1night they have a uk guest comedian, who also does a late night act

The show team do indivual caberets at various times

In response to your query about the entertainment, the evening shows are the best we've seen and based on mini West End type productions. They are a small company usually 11 with 5/6 main singers and then the dancers but the dancers do sing in production numbers (not mime like on most other lines), they have mics so even the small group pack a punch. Some of the dancers have numbers they perform as soloists too.

 

The stage isn't huge but with fewer performers that doesn't matter to us - there is plenty of interesting, imaginative, very slick and often edgy choreography which in comparison far exceeds that we've seen elsewhere. In general I would say the overall standard of performance, staging, production, costumes and choreography is superior to that we've seen on NCL, Celebrity, P&O and Cunard.

 

It is the Thomson style of shows though. With a predominantly British audience they don't have to go as much for the magician, acrobat, illusionist, tribute act type shows. So if you like production shows I think you will like Thomson - you will get more per week than any other cruise line too. It used to be 5 production shows per week plus a Concerto (cabaret style) and one guest act - not certain if this is still the case. But the showteam do also do individual cabaret spots late at night too and live deck parties. I take my hat off to the showteams on Thomson - we've never seen any group come close on any ship for number of shows/performances. And if you're doing a 14 night cruise, you shouldn't be getting repeats.

 

Of course showteams change and occasionally we felt an odd team perhaps didn't live up to some we've raved about, but nevertheless the style of shows Thomson produce we think are the best - to suit our taste anyway and what we miss most if we travel with other lines.

currently 2 shows are repeated each week the welcome show hoto hot hot and lso i think styled by rock

Thanks everyone for your replies, we are still learning about Thomson, since we are really not familiar with this line at all. It looks like she is still equipped with at least 3 music/dance venues, which is a big draw for us for after dinner entertainment apart from watching the show. Especially on sea days we want to be able to have options to spend the time. One thing that concerns us is we saw someone posted a clip on You tube, named ""what Thomson is really like". I think it was filmed maybe 3 years ago. It shows the bathroom in terrible condition, there were seriously stained tile on the floor, the sink is chipped and so on. Not sure if they have recently refurbished the ship to correct that, but it was shocking to see a cabin in that condition. Did anyone experience having a cabin in bad condition?

Refurb on The Dream was in the main cosmetic eg new bedding,decor,carpets nothing major like bathroom refits

They had refitted our bathroom last year deck 9

Never had a bathroom as bad as that on the Dream although once had a white bath, cream sink and pink loo seat! Obviously some of them had been replaced. Think the bath was new!

Jam888 I would just go with your feeling we all have different ideas. Personally I have never had a bad cruise on Thomson, yes some problems but all sorted. Can only say last 51 cruises and next 2 and drill happy with the people we meet and the overhaul experience its just up to you, i would, obviously say try it!

Jam888 I would just go with your feeling we all have different ideas. Personally I have never had a bad cruise on Thomson, yes some problems but all sorted. Can only say last 51 cruises and next 2 and drill happy with the people we meet and the overhaul experience its just up to you, i would, obviously say try it!

51!!!, Wow.:D:D

Yes we just love the experience and keep saying we will try one of the more ' upmarket' lines & are seriously looking at Celebrity X but as my name implies we are a bit old in the tooth to change from something we are happy with😀 just a few weeks till our Caribbean cruise then its off to Dubrovnik.

I think they call it spending the children's inheritance😁😁

Yes we just love the experience and keep saying we will try one of the more ' upmarket' lines & are seriously looking at Celebrity X but as my name implies we are a bit old in the tooth to change from something we are happy with😀 just a few weeks till our Caribbean cruise then its off to Dubrovnik.

I think they call it spending the children's inheritance😁😁

That is what we are doing too and having a wonderful time. Caribbean tomorrow, nearly packed, then off with Fred on the Norway Winter cruise in March. I love the smaller familiar ships, and even the thought of trying the Discovery in October is having me wondering if it will be as good as those I have grown to love over the last couple of years. A lot to be said for the SKI way of life though, and the kid doesn't mind us having fun!!

That is what we are doing too and having a wonderful time. Caribbean tomorrow, nearly packed, then off with Fred on the Norway Winter cruise in March. I love the smaller familiar ships, and even the thought of trying the Discovery in October is having me wondering if it will be as good as those I have grown to love over the last couple of years. A lot to be said for the SKI way of life though, and the kid doesn't mind us having fun!!

Is it the Northern Lights cruise?

We did it last year and I think it was the best yet. More of an adventure than a cruise but fantastic.

Bon Voyage for your hot one.;):D

Is it the Northern Lights cruise?

 

We did it last year and I think it was the best yet. More of an adventure than a cruise but fantastic.

 

Bon Voyage for your hot one.;):D

I live in hope to seeing the Northern Lights, but loved the itinerary and the chance to see more Norway scenery. All ready for the hot one!!

Hi

We have travelled with Thomson cruises 5 times now and despite feeling we'd like to go more up market we are looking to book another one. We have travelled with the Disney cruise liner, p and o, cunard and Royal Caribbean

We are in our late 40's, travelled with my parents early 70's and our 2 daughters 18 and 21. We have found that yes the majority of travellers are over 50 but also a good variety of ages.

I'm going to be completely honest we have a good life style are not hard up for money and are used to staying in 4 or 5 star hotels across the world. Thomson cruise ships are not this standard. We have always upgraded cabins and found the cabins to be big enough extremely clean and well appointed but they are not 5 star luxury. We did have a crack in our sink on the dream which I was not happy about. So why do we keep going back ?

Definitely value for money

The staff are amazing - happy and friendly

The ships have always been incredibly clean

The excursion's are first class.

The entertainment is all good - shows, pop up mini concerts, casino, dancing lessons ect. Not keen on the Mr and Mrs type quizzes but this is personal preference

There's always a great happy atmosphere

The choice of food is good. Not outstanding but we always go to the restaurants that have an extra charge a few times. You do get a better choice and quality of food if you get fed up with the main restaurants.

So in my opinion you may not be getting 5 star luxury but you will get a fun. action packed holiday.

Well said Tracey , your comments sum up the package :)

Stevie