skioncruises

We had a similar problem on a booking on D2 before the ship actually joined the fleet.

I wondered if your booking is on Explorer and they haven't finalised the cabin structure?

Hello jake 26

No, it's not Explorer, it's Discovery. I saw in another post that they are also not taking bookings for shore excursions until 6 months before cruising, not that I would pre-book excursions that far in advance. I feel six weeks is plenty time to give Thomson our money.

We have used the coach a couple of times on cruises. The driver announced before setting off that there was a toilet onboard and it was be treated like a newborn baby. He then elaborated and said "no solids, liquids only".

Must be a new thing then because we are on Discovery 2 in April next year and we booked ages ago and were able to book our cabin , albeit at an extra payment, straight away. Perhaps this is a new Marella thing, just like the increased deposits on TUI holidays compared to Tomson. Peter and Jenny

Hi Zombatar

Looks like it's a Marella introduction. We are also going on Discovery 2 in April and selected our cabin immediately after booking. Always have done since the introduction of cabin booking. Previously it was pot luck on the day of arrival at the ship.

My only concern is that I have booked a specific deck and cabin type and sincerely hope I can reserve where I want when the time comes. I very much doubt that there will be any alert from the company (whatever name they are cruising under at the time) that reservations for cabins can be made when the six months arrives. A correct telephone number would also be a good thing.

Just tried to book cabin for November 2018 (after using 3 different numbers quoted throughout Marella brochure and on line!). Apparently cabin numbers are not being released for selection until 6 months before travel. Never had this in 29 years of cruising with Thomson. Not a happy bunny. Like to tie everything up and then get on with the next cruising project.

The ETickets for Majesty on 12 November from Glasgow have arrived this morning. This is just to let anyone on this flight know the flight times have been changed again.

Anyone who booked and was given the departure time of 07.10 and then notified in August it was to be changed to 06.00 please be aware the E Tickets are stating 07.20.

I emailed Customer Cares and, believe it or not, a reply within 20 minutes was received confirming the departure time is 07.20. Hope this is correct and not just a look at a computer without speaking to anyone.

Such a shame you are having probems as all months are showing up 14 nights when I go on the Thomson cruise site http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/?im_id=PPC&s_kwcid=43700014850413611&gclid=CKG7qJTr0tECFUaqGQodz3oCpg&gclsrc=ds

Hi Brenda. Don't know why I'm having problems. The link you gave me did have the 14 day back to backs but only went up to July.

However, I am now pursuing three options for next year at the moment. One to India with optional extension in foothills of Himalayas or Temples and Palaces in Nepal, another to China with a cruise on the Yangtse with optional extension of 3 days in Hong Kong and the other to Canada, Rocky Mountains and Alaska Cruise. Long discussions and decisions to now be made.

We just arrived back at midnight on the 19th last week from 2 weeks on Spirit. I will be paying the balance next week on our Fire & Ice cruise on Celebration at the end of July from Newcastle and then we have the final two weeks on Majesty from Malaga in November. I will therefore take my time deciding which trip we will take.

Best wishes to you and Ian and happy cruising for the foreseeable future.

I don't think you could have been putting "14 nights" in the search criteria.:confused:

Thanks for your suggestion but sorry – no.

Since 2008 I have annually booked online 3 x 14 days (majority back to back) plus 20+ days Transatlantic Crossings with no problems. The site has the block along the top asking -Where From/Where To/When/Cruise Duration/Cruise & Stay/Adults – Search, but dates only go to January 2018.

I stated earlier today that I had followed the link provided by campolady which gives 14 day back to back but the dates only go to 31 July.

I Googled Thomson Cruises 2018 which advertises their new programmes etc. and selected Cruise Calendar which covers January 2017 to September 2018. With the exception of specific 14 days the rest are 7 days with Stay & Cruise Option. At least campolady’s link does give 14 back to back but not full calendar.

I’m now boggle-eyed and have decided to change tack and look at other companies with alternative holidays which Thomson do not offer.

Thank you all. I can assure you that when I posted this thread I had been searching since we got back from Spirit last week and only 7 nights plus stay options were available. However, today, after using campolady's link (thank you), all 14 nights were there. Sanity and calm is now restored in the household.

The brochure is full of them and I have booked one, a 14 nighter (2x7) on Explorer.

 

edit - I just checked the Thomson site, June 2018, west and east med, 8 to 14 nights, 52 cruises listed most of which are back to backs.

Haven't been able to get hands on brochure yet. However, have just looked at at Cruise Calendar for the month you quote and yes, there are cruises, but only being quoted as 7 nights with a cruise and stay option, no option to combine with another 7 night cruise. At least not that I can see on line.

Am I missing something? I have searched the new itineraries for 2018 and can't find any back to back cruises. Only option seems to be 7 day cruises with stay option before or after cruise or special one-off 14 day cruises. After 28 years with Thomson it looks like we will be taking our custom elsewhere.

Hi Dave. Yep, sobering it was for DH when he discovered that they were only serving beer by the half pint:eek: and his double night cap (I don't drink) of Drambuie was going to cost him £3.50. He found an alternative and managed the half pints quite well because they had cut the number of waiters and the bars were working like clockwork. In the theatre the waiters were on the ball and came round quickly and were watching see when glasses were getting low.

So the all inclusive is not all inclusive as it includes 'local drinks' whatever they are? plus some branded drinks. Essentially what they are doing is making the previous drinks package compulsory, maybe with a reduced selection of 'free' drinks. does anyone remember what it was like on Island Escape?

Hi Dave. Just dug out a menu from Island Escape from October 2013. Remember prices will no doubt have increased.

All Inclusive Drinks were: Aperitifs and Port Wine 60ml / Beers by the Half Pint / House Spirits Selection 40ml / Cocktail Selection / Non-Alcoholic Cocktails / Juices & Soft Drinks by the Glass / Still Water by the Glass.

The following were all well known named brands:

Premium Drinks were: Apperitifs, Sherry and Ports 60ml (ranged between (1.50 - £1.75) / Vodka 49ml (£1.50 - £1.75) / Gin 40ml (£1.50 - £2.75 / Rum 40ml (£1.50 - £1.75 / Tequila 40ml (£1.50 - £1.75) / International Whiskies 40ml (£1.25 - £3.00) / Fine Aged Brandies and Cognacs 40ml ( £1.50 – 3.50) / Wines by the Glass 150ml (£2.00 – £2.75) / Sparkling Wine by the Glass 125ml (£2.50).

Premium Cocktails were: £2.50 / Non-Alcoholic Cocktails £1.50) / Shooters (£2.75)

International Liquers 30ml were £1.75

Sodas, Juices and Energy Drinks by can or bottle were: £1.00 - £3.50

Bottled Water: 75p - £2.00

Beers, Ciders, Ales: Draught Beer and Cider: Half Pint (£1.25 - £1.80) Pint (2.50 - £3.50) / Beers by the Bottle 330ml (£2.00 - £.2.50) / Beers with a Widget 440ml Can (£3.00 - £3.60).

I haven't actually added the named brands under each heading just the various categories.

As said at the beginning, these were October 2013 prices. Unfortunately don't have a menu to see what difference there was in price on the final sailing in October 2015.

How sad on a Saturday afternoon - I don't drink and am sitting here typing up a drinks menu!:eek:

Wow !! Did you say additional winter flights from Scotland. That I would love to see. Over the last few years they have reduced the number of flights from Scotland and Newcastle especially for repo cruises and Caribbean cruises.

Thomson seem to think everyone who travels from northern airports wants to go to the Canary Islands year after year.

Hi nancyneptune

Here is a clip of what they said in their email in November:

"We are also pleased to announce that from next winter we will have 3 ships in the fleet based in the Caribbean all with DIRECT flights from GLASGOW on the Thomson Dreamliner.

Thomson Celebration– Dominican Republic

TUI Discover 1 – Barbados

TUI Discovery 2 – Jamaica

Thomson Dream will be based in the Canaries next winter

We also have 3 transatlantic cruises both out to the Caribbean and then returning to Europe in 2018."

Don't think we'll avail ourselves of the Glasgow/Caribbean flights. Pity it's taken them so long to see they have customers north of the border. We;ve done 5 transatlantic cruises in the past by travelling south and involved another two days/overnight stays on the holiday and feel we've been and seen and that's enough. Don't care how long the cruise itself is (the longer the better) but the extra days spoilt it. .

Hope the snippit from the email helps.

I am sure you will be fine - and I envy you going on Majesty which is still our favourite Thomson ship. How kind of you to remember Ians health problems. He still has Heart and Kidney failure but we finally got cover for him for any conditions not related to heart, kidneys or diabetes. At least the 2 week itinerary we have booked goes from our home port of Malaga..

 

I wish you a wonderful trip.

Hi Brenda

That's great you're able to get away. You never know, you may be able to save a few pennies/euros and join us in Malaga for Majesty's final cruise. You can always post if it happens. We were one of those who had their cruise changed from Destiny to Majesty and sailed on her a few weeks after she was commissioned. We were given an outside plus comparable with what we had booked on Destiny and have booked the same cabin for November. We have been on her four times and also like her very much. Off on Spirit in just over four weeks time so planning well underway. E tickets came last week.:D

Your sailing is still showing as the final one for Majesty on the website. The message I got this evening just shows that the staff at the 'official' Thomson FB page don't seem to know what is going on and that sadly is nothing new.

Hi Brenda

Fingers crossed they don't change the dates. Surely they wouldn't send out an email telling previous customers that there is to be a final sailing of both ships leaving Thomson fleet, put them up for sale and then give out incorrect dates. or would they???

Just a quick change of subject. I noticed you and Ian are going cruising this year. Ian has obviously improved since his op last year and you have managed to get insurance sorted.

I don't interact on here so much nowadays as, in some instances, the moderator would be banning me for some of the replies I would give, but I still watch regularly.

Yes - just had this reply from Thomson

 

<<Hi Brenda, I am sorry for any confusion! The last sailing of the Majesty will be 24th October 2017 and this has since been rectified ^Millie>>

However, the last sailing is actually showing as 19th November on the website!

Aarghh!! We are booked on the Majesty from the 12th for the final two weeks of her sailing, as are another couple we know. Unbeknown to us they booked away back when Thomson sent an emailto us in November with various titbits about final sailings, additional winter flights from Scotland, new ships, to name a few. We only booked a few weeks ago as DH felt our Fire and Ice cruise at the end of July was a long way until next year.

The following is an extract from their email:

"Thomson Sprit will have her final sailing on Wednesday 15th November 2017 from Cyprus.

The Majesty will have her final sailing is on Sunday 19th November 2017 from Malaga."

Why is it we always find out what is or isn't going on by doing our own delving and sharing information on CC?

Now in a quandary. Do I write to Thomson and get some garbage back or leave it until nearer the time for the balance to be paid. I actually paid the low deposit balance yesterday.

Once upon a time Thomson would reply to CC comments but no longer. Facebook seems to be their thing. I don't do facebook!

Sorry I should have been clearer - the ad has gone on the Thomson Cruise website today.

Hi campolady

Just had a look. Perhaps they are taking bookings up to the last sailing on 19 which ends in Malaga on 26 November.then transferring bookings after that date to one of the replacement ships, ?next Discovery? or is it one of the Mein Schiffs (yet to be named), which are taking over once Thomson changes its name to Tui.

Just an aside. Louis Lines no longer exists. It was rebranded Celestyal Cruises in 2014 and Spirit and Majesty are being returned in November 2017.

Just seen this offer for cruises on Majesty up to April next year. I thought Majesty and Spirit were leaving the Thomson fleet at the end of this Summer? May be a misprint and should read April 2017 but definitely confusing.

 

MAJESTY75 - *?75 off per booking: Offer valid on all Thomson Majesty sailings departing from 1st March 2017 - 30th April 2018. No minimum spend applies. Use or quote discount code MAJESTY75. Offer must be selected at time of booking, only applies to new cruise package bookings and is not combinable with any other offer and may be withdrawn without prior notice

We are cruising from 12 - 26 November which will be Majesty's last two weeks with Thomson before the ship is returned to Louis.

Perhaps this advert was published before it was decided to terminate the lease.

I recall reading a post stating that Majesty would be doing similar ports of call next year to those done by Thomson but under the Louis banner.

The advert is stating "Majesty75" could Louis be renaming her plus giving the ?75 discount or is it a misprint with the date?

Hi can you catch a bus to sagroda famila from the port or will it have to be a taxi would like to go there first then walk back to the port if this is possible :confused:

Hi carolynne15

We have taken the Metro from Drassanes at bottom of La Rambla to Diagonal Gracia (Green Line) (5 stops if I remember) then changed to Blue Line for Sagrada Familia (another 2 stops) and you come out right at the Cathedral.. Very easy to do. Just need to make sure you have correct money for machines which are at bottom of stairs and select English language then your journey Metro lines are exactly the same the world over. Follow the maps on the walls.

We have never actually been in the Cathedral as the queues have always been enormous but at least we have seen it.

We have used the Metro on several occasions from the bottom of La Rambla to go to Sagrada Familia (twice) Park Guell (twice) bit of a walk (20 mins approx) uphill from Metro and also Montjuic (lovely views over the whole of Barcelona)..

Long walk back though. Remember trying it once wjhen I was younger and fitter - and never again.

If you Google Barcelona Metro map you will get a coloured map like you would find for the London Underground in the back of diaries.

Hope this helps. Anything else you want to know I'll try and answer.

Deck 9 on Majesty has a kids pool outside the kids club which can only be accessed from the kids club as stated above

No other Thomson ship has a segregated kids pool like this Th only other ones I've seen have been on OV and OV2

 

Hi Vitalsign

 

You jogged my memory. Since 1989 the majority of our cruises have been with Thomson but we were on OV in 2003, not long after she had come into service. Regretfully it was not a cruise to write home about so had discounted the fact it could have been that ship but it may well have been where I saw the secluded area. Wherever, I thought it was a good idea.

Skioncruiser the ship is Majesty which has a kids pool in the kids club

There is a kids pool at the back of Spirit, Celebration and Dream next to the large family pool - see deck plans

 

Hi Vitalsign

 

Yes I have seen those pools but the one I am referring to was at the back of the ship in an enclosed area away from the rest of the passengers. It may even have been part of a deck which was normally used by crew only at certain times of the day.

 

I remember commenting that it was good they had somewhere secure for the little ones away from all the hustle and bustle. Not that it was really any concern of mine as we have long passed including young ones on holiday and avoid them like the plague as some parents seem to have no control over their "little darlings". This was well displayed on Majesty in the hot tubs where, as well as being underage to be in them, they were filling pint glasses with tub water, putting it in their mouths, then spitting it out over each other, and passengers passing with food from the buffet, while the parents watched from the sidelines. Surprised Noro wasn't rife.:eek:

Hi Babybump09

I vaguely remember seeing a mini pool on one of the decks of a Thomson ship. This was solely for the use of parents to take toddlers/babies and had a security gate to enter. It was not fully visible to passengers but could be seen when going downstairs between decks at the back of the ship. Perhaps others might remember seeing this and what ship it was.

Very interesting reading the two on order for this year have been 'upgraded' to the higher capacity 9 version could be a tighter fit???😞

 

Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app

It's 6 metres longer so should have no problems accommodating another 45 passengers.:)

Personally, I think they should do away with booking seats altogether and go back to the old system of first come first served. But of course Thomson will not do that anytime soon as it is a great money spinner

Hi Linda

We refuse to give in and book seats. Just turn up in plenty of time as always and never been separated yet.:)

We were on Celebration from 13 - 27 October. This was her final cruise before heading to Cadiz for four weeks in Dry Dock.

At the same time Dream was also going to be there for two weeks in Wet Dock.

Dream crew were being transferred to Celebration for the duration.

Believe Celebration will be getting a deep clean (whatever that means in Thomson terms) while two crews were on board.

As she is in dry dock presume the hull will be de-fouled as this is a requirement of every ship every so often and was looking a bit grubby below the water line.