Thomsom dream the real news

[stevedeccaman]

We sailed for 7 nights on the Drean from 29-06

 

we enjoyed it very much indeed however this is our verdict /comments

 

Staff and entertainment all excellent 5*

 

Food good plenty choice

 

Air conditioning not working 100% but did not affect us

 

as a result of complaints a letter arrived to all with a £75 compensation per person (the letter was from Thomsom Cruises MD ) this was credited to your onboard account that night

 

The Bars and Casino did well that night !

 

the ship was spotless . however on arrival just out side our cabin on deck 6 there was a de -humidifier blasting away .and our carpet damp in the cabin. there was a panel out in the ceiling just outside our room

but cabin was spotless inside apart from a few coffee beans

 

on chatting to other passengers they also had found the beans !

 

someting to do with hidding smells ?

 

we sunbathed on deck 9 with the OLD stained sunbeds , the new ones are round the side . but was stll enjoying it all , However one afternoon the Funnel was belching /smoke soot .i had some shorts to change into from my swim shorts which went slightly black ! (and the pool )

 

However (here we go again u say ) took them to customer service and they were back in our cabin in no time dry cleaned

 

 

would not book on this ship again until refit but apart from issues above we enjoyed it .customer care is superb

 

felt sorry for the captain as he must have many things to deal with other than complaints.

 

one last item this is an all inclusive package (food not drink ) if u stay in a hotel they give you a packed lunch to take out for the day............

 

Not Thomsom , they have a very nice lady /man at exit for your tur for 5/10 hours whatever,and can we have some some more money for water and snacks here for you to see before you leave?

(no problem will go to your daily account but you will have missed all ur inclusive meals ) good value no way

 

we did not do any tours

 

 

I rest my case

see link below re BBC wales report broad cast 5-06-10

 

not me by the way !

 

Stevie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00szz8v/XRay_Series_10_Episode_8/

 

 

 

also see below

 

but do not let it put you off we did have a good time ! enjoy just be aware !

 

all this is not in the brochure

WHAT THEY SAY TO MARKET THE SHIP

Thomson cruises’ new ship, Thomson Dream, is set to be the pride of the fleet when it sets sail in the Mediterranean next summer

Welcome to Thomson Dream, the stunning new addition to Thomson’s fleet which will be based in Palma, Majorca, and cruising around the Western Mediterranean in summer 2010 offering 5 itineraries. The stylish ship, Thomson’s biggest, most luxurious to date, is set to become the new flagship of the fleet. It is similar in capacity to Thomson Destiny, with 753 cabins (including six Grand Suites with balconies), but 30 per cent more spacious.

THE FACTS ON THE DREAM PAST

MS Thomson Dream is a cruise ship currently owned by Costa Cruises and operated under charter by Thomson Cruises.[4] She was built in 1986 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, West Germany as MS Homeric for Home Lines. In 1988 she was sold to Holland America Line and renamed MS Westerdam. In 1990 she was lengthened by 36.9 m (121 ft 1 in) at Meyer Werft. In 2002 she was transferred to the fleet of Costa Cruises and renamed MS Costa Europa.[3][8] In April 2010 she left the fleet of Costa Cruises on a ten-year charter to Thomson Cruises.[1]

The Homeric was planned during the first half of the 1980s as a replacement for the aging SS Oceanic in the Home Lines' fleet.[9] Meyer Werft in Papenburg, West Germany was chosen as the shipyard to build her.[3][8] The ship was named in honour of the company's earlier SS Homeric, a popular ship that had been destroyed by a fire in 1973.[9][10] The new Homeric was launched on 28 September 1985. She performed her sea trials between 26 December and 30 December 1985, but was not delivered to Home Lines until 6 May 1986.[3]

Following the sale of the ship to Holland America Line (and the sale of HAL itself to the Carnival Corporation), the ex-Homeric, now named Westerdam, returned to Meyer Werft on 30 October 1989 for a $84 million refit. The ship was lengthened by36.9 m (121 ft 1 in) and many of her interiors were rebuilt. The refit was completed on 12 March 1990.[3][5][8]

In 2002, prior to entering service as Costa Europa for Costa Cruises, the ship received a £5 million refit, with some of the public rooms redecorated and six balcony suites added.[5][8][10]

2010 dock collision

On February 26, 2010, Costa Europa collided with a dock at Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt, after attempting to dock in bad weather. The collision killed three crew members and injured at least four other people, three of them passengers. The incident tore a two-meter wide hole in the hull, and the ship was listed to port to lift the damaged area clear of the water.[12][13]

THIS IS THOMSOM REPLY TO MY CONCERNS BEFOR SAILING ON 29-06-09

Thank you for your email regarding your forthcoming cruise. We can confirm the Thomson Dream has experienced some plumbing issues on board in some areas which have affected a small number of passengers which is where the reviews you have seen are generated from. However the reviews on these forums have been over exaggerating the nature of the problems on board.

We have received a new update today and we can confirm that the technical fault on board which was causing the unpleasant smell in some areas has been corrected and the smell has is no longer affecting passengers. With regards to the plumbing issues in some cabins these are being repaired by our dedicated plumbing maintenance team and these particular cabins will not be occupied by our customers.

The Thomson dream will carry the Thomson quality stamp just as all our other ships in the Thomson fleet and we can reassure our customers that these issues have been largely resolved.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for booking with Thomson Cruises and If you have any further queries or need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us on 0871 231 4908 to speak to one of our cruise specialists who will be happy to help.

[vwgolf]

Thanks, an interesting and balanced view. Clearly there are still some issues that need to be sorted before the dream is fully "ship shape" but it's good that you didn't let these spoil your overall holiday experience. I love the coffee beans idea - someone should get a medal for coming up with that one!

 

Your point about not providing packed lunches is one that we make every year (this will be our sixth cruise with Thomson's). I don't know if other cruise lines do the same or it's something peculier to Thomson's.

 

As for the Dream being a new ship to Thomson's, I think a bit of clever marketing speak was used that some people interpreted as "brand new" instead of "new to Thomson's". That said, I don't know if it's just me but before I book cruises or holidays in hotels, I do my research. There's a wealth of information on the internet or books such as Berlitz's Guide to Crusing. It seems that some people are happy to part with several thousand pounds merely on the word of their travel agent!

[davecttr]

Thanks, an interesting and balanced view. Clearly there are still some issues that need to be sorted before the dream is fully "ship shape" but it's good that you didn't let these spoil your overall holiday experience. I love the coffee beans idea - someone should get a medal for coming up with that one!

 

Your point about not providing packed lunches is one that we make every year (this will be our sixth cruise with Thomson's). I don't know if other cruise lines do the same or it's something peculier to Thomson's.

 

As for the Dream being a new ship to Thomson's, I think a bit of clever marketing speak was used that some people interpreted as "brand new" instead of "new to Thomson's". That said, I don't know if it's just me but before I book cruises or holidays in hotels, I do my research. There's a wealth of information on the internet or books such as Berlitz's Guide to Crusing. It seems that some people are happy to part with several thousand pounds merely on the word of their travel agent!

On Red Sea Magic you get a packed lunch AND lunch in a hotel!

[doctor who]

I have been on thomson spirit six times and when we have had all day trips we have been given packed lunches.Maybe they have stopped doing them now or we have just been lucky.:confused:

[vwgolf]

I have been on thomson spirit six times and when we have had all day trips we have been given packed lunches.Maybe they have stopped doing them now or we have just been lucky.:confused:

 

Interesting. Perhaps you have to ask? I've never been offered a packed lunch!

[Double 07]

Interesting. Perhaps you have to ask? I've never been offered a packed lunch!

 

Ive been on two previous Thomson cruises and never been offered a packed lunch. It would be a good idea and like you say theres no harm in asking.