Q&A Topics

[Sailaway487]

Regarding the Q&A, it does seem like the reply from Thomson Cruises on the forum was genuine (despite the fact that the thread was deleted), as someone has contacted Cruise Critic about doing it.

 

I just thought I'd start this thread up now, so that we can add to in the next few weeks, some topic ideas and subjects that we want to be discussed. Then, when questions can be added in the actual Q&A folder, this thread could then be referred to. Hopefully, that way, we can't forget any questions that we would like to be asked. I also thought it might be a good idea if sometime we went through some old threads on here. There might be certain subjects that we've completely forgotten about that we might want to ask Ellacott.

 

So, I'd thought I'd start it off with these three topics:

 

- The possibility of a new build ship in the next few years that is going to be tailored to the higher end of the market.

 

- The truth regarding Thomson Destiny, and if it is making a return to the fleet next year.

 

- Reports suggesting that Thomson Cruises is going international, and how this will affect the overall product currently experienced.

[kruzseeka]

- What proposals may be in the pipe-line regarding some kind of loyalty programme? (I was hearing with envy from friends who have done very few cruises how they have already accrued benefits from other cruise-lines!).

 

- And within any benefits, is there any chance of some retrospective acknowledgement for previous customers?

 

- Are there any plans to do itineraries in the Far East when the Dreamliners come into service?

 

- Is there a commitment to maintaining the number of shows per week and no softly softly approach to diluting these with alternative (cheaper) offerings?

[Grez]

Couple of short term concerns - the future of Spirit after 2014, and the future of IE after the rumours that this was to be her last year.

[geomagot]

The rebranding has started with Dream & Celebration going Platinum, and Island escapes AI as standard, what could be coming next? Sensatori?

 

would any new brands be bolt on brands (cruises within cruises) or will whole ships be turned over

 

It has been said, that Thomsons plan to develop cruise & stay....what could this mean? more destinations?

 

If you are focussing on introducing cruising to a new audience, Are you planning to keep the existing British, more intimate cruise experience and on board ambience that a Thomson cruise is famous for and that we (the loyal regulars) all know, trust and love and would not want to see watered down

 

Are all these multimillion-pound refits going to affect the prices significantly?

 

Would it be possible for the Broadway showlounge to be renamed the 'West End' Showlounge....A very deserving title IMO

[Dreamgirl1957]

When the Dream and Celebration go Platinum will there be any changes to current menus / style of food in MDR etc. Also apart from the bits we've read already i.e flat screen TV's and kettles in cabins what will the other changes be ? Better sun loungers ? Any bathroom changes ? Will all interiors be getting a refurb ? Also will they consider free safes in rooms.

 

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Sailaway487]

- Thomson Celebration is going to have its refurb this winter season, but it isn't down to be out of service at all. Will the refurbs affect customers cruises, with areas of the ship being closed?

 

- Please get rid of the extra 5 kg baggage allowance charge that is automatically selected when booking online.

 

- Bring back La Spezia! :D

[davecttr]

When the Dream and Celebration go Platinum will there be any changes to current menus / style of food in MDR etc. Also apart from the bits we've read already i.e flat screen TV's and kettles in cabins what will the other changes be ? Better sun loungers ? Any bathroom changes ? Will all interiors be getting a refurb ? Also will they consider free safes in rooms.

 

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Mmm, i had better keep quiet. I could ask a few leading questions which are somewhat similar to 'when did you stop beating your wife'.

 

OK, i can't

 

After Celebration goes platinum, will the single cabin ghetto by the engines still be there? How can you reconcile platinum status when passengers can't even get a good nights sleep.

 

are you continuing your 'that airline' policy of charging for safes, especially as some insurance companies require valuables to be stored in a safe if available.

 

Why do you seperate adult parties of 3 by insisting the third person has a cabin distant from their family or friends. Surely this is bad for business.

 

has any passenger ever actually managed to book a double for single occupancy without paying 100% supplement, not including those who have booked cabins afew days before departure when the ship is not full.

 

Perhaps these would terminate the Q&Q quickly :rolleyes:

[Dreamgirl1957]

Mmm, i had better keep quiet. I could ask a few leading questions which are somewhat similar to 'when did you stop beating your wife'.

 

OK, i can't

 

After Celebration goes platinum, will the single cabin ghetto by the engines still be there? How can you reconcile platinum status when passengers can't even get a good nights sleep.

 

are you continuing your 'that airline' policy of charging for safes, especially as some insurance companies require valuables to be stored in a safe if available.

 

Why do you seperate adult parties of 3 by insisting the third person has a cabin distant from their family or friends. Surely this is bad for business.

 

has any passenger ever actually managed to book a double for single occupancy without paying 100% supplement, not including those who have booked cabins afew days before departure when the ship is not full.

 

Perhaps these would terminate the Q&Q quickly :rolleyes:

 

Sorry to sound dim, not sure what you mean by "when did you stop beating your wife "

 

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[geomagot]

Is it wise to put the Dream into dry dock in Hamburg in the Winter?

 

Are there any contingency plans to protect the ship if the weather should be freezing again? as happened in 2010 with the resulting mayhem and cancellations on the Transatlantic/Christmas New Year cruises which followed

[Grez]

Sorry to sound dim, not sure what you mean by "when did you stop beating your wife "

 

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

It's an attempt at entrapment - the theory being that you can't answer without incriminating yourself.

[Dreamgirl1957]

It's an attempt at entrapment - the theory being that you can't answer without incriminating yourself.

 

Think I get it ;)

 

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[davecttr]

It's an attempt at entrapment - the theory being that you can't answer without incriminating yourself.

Yep, a classic example of a loaded question, one which is difficult to answer well.

[carolynne15]

Will you be starting a loyality scheme like a lot of other cruise liners

 

Will the island escape have a refit

 

carolynne

[happy v]

Can we have more 'one off' cruises throughout the season?

i.e. two weeks or longer to make a more interesting holiday.

[Dreamgirl1957]

Can we have more 'one off' cruises throughout the season?

i.e. two weeks or longer to make a more interesting holiday.

 

What a good idea , something a bit different but still in same region obviously because of logistics. Bet that would be very popular and sell out fast.

 

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[kruzseeka]

And having read the thread on Fire & Ice................

 

Can we please have this itinerary from Harwich? (I know it's a long way but there is a predominance of Baltic and 1 week Fjords itineraries from Harwich - no so much choiceas from Newcastle.)

 

And also the North Cape from Harwich? (which you have done before as we did it)

 

P.S. and bring back La Spezia!!!!!!!!!!!!! (with you all the way Sailaway! :D)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I have always wondered what happened to the self service laundry which is listed in my copy of Berlitz Guide when the Dream was the Costa Europa and whether it could be reinstated.

 

Also, on the Dream, could the buffet be redesigned so that you don't have to go all along the counter just to get one thing which might be right at the end!

[Sailaway487]

I have always wondered what happened to the self service laundry which is listed in my copy of Berlitz Guide when the Dream was the Costa Europa and whether it could be reinstated.

 

Also, on the Dream, could the buffet be redesigned so that you don't have to go all along the counter just to get one thing which might be right at the end!

 

A self service laundry would be a really good edition, and I agree about the Lido, it just doesn't work.

[Sailaway487]

Well, I've not had anything from Cruise Critic today. The community manager is supposed to be back from holiday this week, so hopefully there should be something within the next few days.

[kate52]

I would really like to know if there are any plans to re-instate canaries cruises starting from Madeira?

It was the one we particularly wanted to do (as we've already been on holiday to Madeira!) but missed out as there aren't any this year.

kate

[davecttr]

I would really like to know if there are any plans to re-instate canaries cruises starting from Madeira?

It was the one we particularly wanted to do (as we've already been on holiday to Madeira!) but missed out as there aren't any this year.

kate

A mystery

 

Why then keep the 10pm departure and consequent loss of revenue from the onboard shops and casino?

[davecttr]

Well, I've not had anything from Cruise Critic today. The community manager is supposed to be back from holiday this week, so hopefully there should be something within the next few days.

Perhaps it will be best if you don't include any of my questions on the list as i couched them. They are a bit antagonistic and we don't want to upset the fella and make him clam up :eek:

[Grez]

I have always wondered what happened to the self service laundry which is listed in my copy of Berlitz Guide when the Dream was the Costa Europa and whether it could be reinstated.

 

Also, on the Dream, could the buffet be redesigned so that you don't have to go all along the counter just to get one thing which might be right at the end!

 

I imagine that the laundrys went when the cinema was changed into the balconies, therefore they never actually existed on the European (the Berlitz guide always has a few mistakes). Deck plan from the Westerdam shows 3 laundrys - http://www.worldwidevacations.com/cruises/holland/cho108da.htm

[topsey130]

I would like to see some form of price promise, similar to the P & O Vantage fares, an on board spend given if price drops.

 

Not every one has the opportunity to take last minute bargain breaks so it would be a nice reward for those earlier boookers!

[kruzseeka]

I would like to see some form of price promise, similar to the P & O Vantage fares, an on board spend given if price drops.

 

Not every one has the opportunity to take last minute bargain breaks so it would be a nice reward for those earlier boookers!

 

 

Yes, I think there is scope for more obc offers - perhaps as you suggest topsey for price drops or for a small incentive to repeat customers.

 

Let's face it, a £50 on board spend isn't actually costing Thomson that much because you are spending it on drinks etc where they already have a decent profit margin so it's possibly costing them less than half the value to the customer.