Are Thomson cruises any good

The moaning is getting almost as bad as on the P&O forum.

Just for balance my worst cruise experience was on P&O Aurora, they ended up paying me compensation. If that had been my first cruise I would not have cruised with P&O again.

Happy cruising :D

ps - check my cruise record ;)

I know I'm slightly late to this thread, new member to the forums though I've been Lurking for a while. I personally couldn't fault Thomson, I went on my first cruise ever on the Spirit a couple of weeks ago, and while she shows her age, I couldn't fault the staff. I was travelling as a solo traveller, and a lot of the staff would make the time to have a conversation with you when things were a bit quieter, I couldn't fault the food, and the show team was excellent.

I was on Celebration for a week in January with a girlfriend and had a super time but obviously not the same week as Jimmythesaint thank God - I couldn't have put up with the wingeing!! I bet it was a cheap late booking and he should compare the price for the P&O cruise from Dubai in Jan 2019

We've done 2 cruises on Discovery - Med and Caribbean, since moving from P&O who we cruised with extensively over several years.

Discovery was a breath of fresh air with great food, great friendly service, and all round a better ship than P&O ships.

In addition we found the wide age range of passengers refreshing.

IMO revitalizing superb ships like Splendour and Legend is a smart move by TUI.

I was on Celebration for a week in January with a girlfriend and had a super time but obviously not the same week as Jimmythesaint thank God - I couldn't have put up with the wingeing!! I bet it was a cheap late booking and he should compare the price for the P&O cruise from Dubai in Jan 2019

No it wasn't a late or cheap booking but if it had been it would still have been a waste of money. The original post asked for opinions on Thomson and I gave my opinion. That does not make my opinion any more relevant nor any less than anyone else's opinion.

I'm not interested in the price compared to P&O, that's irrelevant. I paid Thomson's what is to me a significant sum of money and used my limited time away from work and came away from the experience really cheesed off as I felt Thomson's had committed daylight robbery.

I stand by opinion based on previous cruises compared to the one and only cruise I will ever take with Thomson; they are a million miles of the pace in terms of quality of cabins, food, entertainment and ship facilities.

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"

Bit harsh to call the older ships glorified ferries. The Spirit, the Celebration and the Dream were all part of the Holland America Fleet - and were build for cruising - in the days before ships began to look like floating blocks of flats. I started to cruising with Thomson on the Sapphire many years ago. Trips on the Topaz, Emerald and Destiny - all great little ships and still see the Destiny - now back with what was Louis Line in the Med. It would be great if Thomson/TUI commissioned a new ship for the Brit market instead of giving us other people's cast off but the Staff and the Entertainment team on Thomson ships is second to none and I have cruised with P & O, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Hurtigruten, just back from a trip on the Thomson Spirit and the next one is with Viking Sun.

Couldn't couldn't agree more

Must admit we found the Celebration a little underwhelming but we loved the Discovery. Everything was totally unfussy but with good facilities and we feel at home on this ship which for us is just about the right size. Some people expect too much for reasonable prices and it is no good delving back into the past wishing the cruise ships were the same as a decade ago. The clientele is totally different, and 'standards' have changed like it or not. We go on holiday to enjoy ourselves, and the odd hiccup does not upset us. We dress smartly for all meals without feeling obliged to bow to outdated dress rules, always eat in the main restaurant and take full advantage of the facilities on the ship. Yes, Thomson customer relations are appalling, but their holidays are generally fine.

Just want to add my thoughts as we have just booked Discovery for 2018. Our first ever Cruise was on the Thomson Topaz way back in 2000, it did not give us the Wow factor that we get now with the bigger Ships but Wow did we have a great time Cruising the Caribbean.

In my considered opinion Thomson do a great job with there range of package holidays and Topaz did not dissapointed. I will admit to calling her a Glorified Ferry on another forum but I was just pointing out the style and size compared to the more modern Cruise Ships.

We have returned to Thomson for this our 6th Cruise because it is giving us what we want, and having read the reviews I am really excited and cannot wait to try her out.

Having sailed on 3 RCL Ships and also NCL we are looking forward to a smaller more intimate way of Cruising and I am sure we will not be Dissapointed.

Hi,

I am completely new to cruising and have chosen the Thomson Majesty. There appear to be quite opposing views on previous threads but I am keeping an open mind. My question is whether I should book excursions before I travel or wait until I sail? I believe that sometimes they offer different excursions onboard???

For our first cruise we will be on the Thomson Spirit sailing on 31 August. Seen mixed reviews but will post what we think on our return. We normally holiday outside of school holidays but our 25th wedding anniversary is end of August and the cruise is adults only.

Just back from the spirit good luck youll need it

We had our first cruise on the Thomson Dream in April, the transatlantic crossing, and couldn't fault a thing.

The food in the MDR was great and we sat with different people every night, each with their own varied stories and anecdotes.

The entertainment was good and the trips were enjoyable and informative.

The crew were all friendly and polite, we couldn't fault a thing, in fact we enjoyed it so much we're booked up on the discovery 2 for Feb and September next year.

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Spirit is the sister ship of Celebration so the layout is the same except Spirit still has a cinema whereas Celebration has converted hers to balcony cabins The ship has a few differences I.e kids club is on deck 7 where the Oceans gym is on Celebration but as it's adults only that won't be a problem Unfortunately there is no bar on deck 6 aft so you have to wait longer for drinks when sunbathing as the waiters get drinks from High Spirits (Libertys on Celebration) The ship has not been updated as much as Celebration for obvious reasons but the crew entertainment team and show team are very good The ACD Is a great asset very professional and Strum Jam are a fantastic band

I had my first ever cruise on Spirit and went on her again in June to say goodbye (now a little early as she's staying for next years summer season) She is a lovely proper Ocean going liner not a sky scraper hotel at sea, easy to get around and very friendly Have a lovely time

We usually have an outside plus midships deck 7 on Spirit and Celebration (cabin 131) and there was no difference between the two

Thomson Spirit ​Oct 2005 Repo Palma to Sharm el Sheikh

Thomson Celebration ​Jan 2007 Red Sea Magic

Ocean Village​Feb 2008 Western Caribbean & Central America

Ocean Village​Aug 2008 Eastern Med

Ocean Village 2 ​Feb 2009 Eastern Caribbean

Ocean Village​Mar 2010 Eastern Caribbean

Thomson Dream ​Feb 2011 Eastern Caribbean & Cuba

Thomson Celebration ​Aug 2011 Eastern Med

Thomson Celebration ​Apr 2012 Red Sea Magic

Thomson Celebration​Apr/May 2012 Repo Sharm el Sheikh to Marmaris

Thomson Dream ​Feb 2013 EasternCaribbean

Thomson Majesty​​Nov/Dec 2014 Colourful Coasts Canaries

Thomson Dream ​Jan/Feb 2015 Western Caribbean Panama & Cuba

Thomson Dream ​Apr 2015 Transatlantic Sunset

Thomson Majesty​​June 2015 Hellenic Classics

Thomson Celebration ​Sept 2015 Adriatic Affair

Thomson Dream​​Jan 2016 Mayan Treasures/Cuban Revolution

Thomson Dream​​April 2016 Atlantic Adventure

Thomson Dream​​June 2016 Iconic Islands/Adriatic Explorer

Thomson Celebration​Jan 2017 Cities of Gold

Thomson Dream​​April2017 Atlantic Daydream

Thomson Spirit​​June 2017 Classical Greece

Thomson Majesty​ Sept2017 Med Medley/Treasures of Med

Tui Discovery 2​​April 2018 Cuban Fusion/Atlantic Discoveries

Tui Discovery 2​​June 2018 Aegean Meze

Thomson Dream​​Sept 2018 Mediterranean Medley

Just come back after 2 weeks on the Spirit and everything was fantastic, the food in the MDR couldn't be faulted and the service from all the staff was fantastic. Superb shows every night, can't wait to go back on

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Glad you had a great time Ray

Sorry to be a 'humbug' but the kids do rule on Thomson ships, they are allowed to run amok, all the deck staff seem frightened to confront them, lots of examples of bad parenting on show,with pool rules totally ignored. I am aware it is a family ship but Thomson need to get agrip as families consist of aunts, uncles, grandparents and folks traveling with out children as well as kids and they are full fare paying guests who would appreciate some relaxation too.

It's not just the pool deck, they play in the lifts and press all the buttons- very annoying

Which is why we never go during school holidays but think it's going to get worse than on the older ships with new ships being very popular with families

Ray, what is the dress code on the spirit as my husband prefers to wear shorts all the time? We are not bothered about the gala night.

Ray, what is the dress code on the spirit as my husband prefers to wear shorts all the time? We are not bothered about the gala night.

You can wear shorts anywhere during the day; at dinner shorts are fine in the buffet but long trousers are required in the waiter service restaurant - nothing to stop your husband eating in the MDR then changing back into shorts after dinner though.

Sorry to be a 'humbug' but the kids do rule on Thomson ships, they are allowed to run amok, all the deck staff seem frightened to confront them, lots of examples of bad parenting on show,with pool rules totally ignored. I am aware it is a family ship but Thomson need to get agrip as families consist of aunts, uncles, grandparents and folks traveling with out children as well as kids and they are full fare paying guests who would appreciate some relaxation too.

It's not just the pool deck, they play in the lifts and press all the buttons- very annoying

I would totally agree with you. I made a mistake in my booking dates for a two week Caribbean Cruise on TUI Discovery in March/April 2017 and found the ship flooded with children and large family groups for the second week. They boarded on the Sunday night and by Monday morning 10 am the main deck pool was closed because of 'a floating object' in it! The children then invaded the adults only pool area and the scene got very heated when they were asked to leave. There was definitely a different atmosphere on-board the first week to the second. I will check my dates more carefully and NEVER travel during school holidays. Otherwise, as a solo traveler I have no complaints about Thompson (now TUI).

I was wondering if anyone can answer a question for me.

I want to sail on the TUI Discovery ship in Sept next year and understand it's all inclusive.

I tend to enjoy many different cocktails, coke as a soft drink and beers such as fosters and Budweiser.

Please please please can someone help me and tell me exactly what drinks are included ? I would appreciate it so much.

Thanks in advance and happy cruising

😊

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I was wondering if anyone can answer a question for me.

 

I want to sail on the TUI Discovery ship in Sept next year and understand it's all inclusive.

 

I tend to enjoy many different cocktails, coke as a soft drink and beers such as fosters and Budweiser.

 

Please please please can someone help me and tell me exactly what drinks are included ? I would appreciate it so much.

Thanks in advance and happy cruising

��

 

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This is from the current Discoveries menu Topcruzer - all included in the AI package:-

SOFT DRINKS (by the glass) - Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Diet Fanta Orange, Sprite, Diet Sprite + mixers with spirits

FRUIT JUICE - Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry, Tomato, Apple + Grapefruit

HOT DRINKS - Irish Coffee, Baileys Coffee, Lumumba, Cafe Latte, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate, Cafe Americano, Cafe Espresso, Nescafe, Nescafe Decaf + Tea

DRAUGHT BEER (Pint or Half Pint) - Fosters+ John Smiths

CANNED + BOTTLED BEERS - Corona, Budweiser, Becks, Perni Red Label,

Alcohol free Beer, Guiness

SPARKLING WINE (by glass) - French Brut, Cava + Prosecco

WHITE WINE (by glass) - Sauvignon Blanc Bleu de Mer (France), Il Poggio Pinot Grigio (Italy) + Le Terre Chardonnay (USA)

ROSE WINE (by glass) - Bleu de Mer (France) + White Zinfadel (USA)

RED WINE (by glass) St Martin Pinot Noir France), Casillero del Diablo (Chile), La Terre Cabernet Sauvignon (USA)

CLASSIC COCKTAILS - Black Russian, Singapore Sling, Margarita, Daiquiri

CLASSIC FROZEN COCKTAILS - Margarita (classic or peach), Daiquiri (Very Berry or Banana), Pina Colada + Miami Vice

FAVOURITE COCKTAILS - Long Island Iced Tea, Raspberry Collins, Lemon Tree + Wibble

BARTENDERS CHOICE COCKTAILS - West Indies Yellowbird, Zombie, Hurricane + Banana Banshee

MARTINI COLLECTION - Classic Vodka Martini, Classic Gin Martini, French Martini + Cosmopolitan

ALL TIME FAVOURITE COCKTAILS - Tequilla Sunrise, Cuba Libre, Pimms Cu, Bloody Mary, Electric Lemonade + Mai Tai

MOCKTAILS - Virgin Emotion, Virgin Colada, Fruit Smoothie, Shirley Temple + Virgin Daiquiri

APERITIFS - Martini Vermouth (Dry, Bianco + Red), Pimms No. 1, Dubonnet, Campari, Aperol, Pernod + Fernet Branca

LIQUEURS - Amaretto, Baileys Irish Cream, Chery Brandy, Chambord, Cointreau, Drambuie, Kahlua, Southern Comfort + Tia Maria

PORTS - Sandemans Ruby + Cockburns Special Reserve

SHERRIES - Harveys Bristol Cream + Croft Original

GIN - Gordons, Beefeaters London + Tanqueray

VODKA - Smirnoff + Stolichnaya

RUM - Bacardi, Malibu + Captain Morgan

TEQUILA - Jose Cuervo Silver + Jose Cuervo Gold

SCOTCH WHISKY - Teachers, Johnny Walker Red, Bells + The Famous Grouse

IRISH WHISKEY - Jameson

AMERICAN WHISKEY - Jim Beam

There are also a lot of other drinks available at a supplement or you can upgrade to Premium AI when you can have any drink off the menu for 70 Pounds p.p. per week. if you have any favourite not listed above let me know and I will see if it is on the premium list and at what supplement.

This is from the current Discoveries menu Topcruzer:-

SOFT DRINKS (by the glass) - Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Diet Fanta Orange, Sprite, Diet Sprite + mixers with spirits

FRUIT JUICE - Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry, Tomato, Apple + Grapefruit

HOT DRINKS - Irish Coffee, Baileys Coffee, Lumumba, Cafe Latte, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate, Cafe Americano, Cafe Espresso, Nescafe, Nescafe Decaf + Tea

DRAUGHT BEER (Pint or Half Pint) - Fosters+ John Smiths

CANNED + BOTTLED BEERS - Corona, Budweiser, Becks, Perni Red Label,

Alcohol free Beer, Guiness

SPARKLING WINE (by glass) - French Brut, Cava + Prosecco

WHITE WINE (by glass) - Sauvignon Blanc Bleu de Mer (France), Il Poggio Pinot Grigio (Italy) + Le Terre Chardonnay (USA)

ROSE WINE (by glass) - Bleu de Mer (France) + White Zinfadel (USA)

RED WINE (by glass) St Martin Pinot Noir France), Casillero del Diablo (Chile), La Terre Cabernet Sauvignon (USA)

CLASSIC COCKTAILS - Black Russian, Singapore Sling, Margarita, Daiquiri

CLASSIC FROZEN COCKTAILS - Margarita (classic or peach), Daiquiri (Very Berry or Banana), Pina Colada + Miami Vice

FAVOURITE COCKTAILS - Long Island Iced Tea, Raspberry Collins, Lemon Tree + Wibble

BARTENDERS CHOICE COCKTAILS - West Indies Yellowbird, Zombie, Hurricane + Banana Banshee

MARTINI COLLECTION - Classic Vodka Martini, Classic Gin Martini, French Martini + Cosmopolitan

ALL TIME FAVOURITE COCKTAILS - Tequilla Sunrise, Cuba Libre, Pimms Cu, Bloody Mary, Electric Lemonade + Mai Tai

MOCKTAILS - Virgin Emotion, Virgin Colada, Fruit Smoothie, Shirley Temple + Virgin Daiquiri

APERITIFS - Martini Vermouth (Dry, Bianco + Red), Pimms No. 1, Dubonnet, Campari, Aperol, Pernod + Fernet Branca

LIQUEURS - Amaretto, Baileys Irish Cream, Chery Brandy, Chambord, Cointreau, Drambuie, Kahlua, Southern Comfort + Tia Maria

PORTS - Sandemans Ruby + Cockburns Special Reserve

SHERRIES - Harveys Bristol Cream + Croft Original

GIN - Gordons, Beefeaters London + Tanqueray

VODKA - Smirnoff + Stolichnaya

RUM - Bacardi, Malibu + Captain Morgan

TEQUILA - Jose Cuervo Silver + Jose Cuervo Gold

SCOTCH WHISKY - Teachers, Johnny Walker Red, Bells + The Famous Grouse

IRISH WHISKEY - Jameson

AMERICAN WHISKEY - Jim Beam

 

There are also a lot of other drinks available at a supplement or you can upgrade to Premium AI when you can have any drink off the menu for 70 Pounds p.p. per week. if you have any favourite not listed above let me know and I will see if it is on the premium list and at what supplement.

Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. You have literally been amazing. thanks to you with your help I am defo going to book this cruise. All inclusive sounds amazing ! Thanks again for all your help and information

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Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. You have literally been amazing. thanks to you with your help I am defo going to book this cruise. All inclusive sounds amazing ! Thanks again for all your help and information

 

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Is there a limit per day as to how many drinks is you can get from the bars ? Or is it have as much as you want when you want. Thanks again

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