£10 to see a show in a decent seat!!

[Red Scorpion]

I am very concerned when I read that Thomson are charging £10 to get a seat at the front for shows on the Dream. It doesn't fit my definition of all inclusive. I do worry that this may be the thin edge of the wedge and that if we don't make a lot of noise about this one they will extend not only this policy to other ships but may find other ways to charge us for things we thought we had already paid for. :(

[Tizzy-Jo]

Are people noticing empty seats at the front? Must say I think it is very sneaky to charge at all when the shows are included in the price of the cruise. What next? Posh toilets to use for a fiver?

[WeeCountyMan]

"I am very concerned when I read that Thomson are charging £10 to get a seat at the front for shows on the Dream."

 

Do we know for certain that that is now the standard policy on Dream ?

 

I didn't read the previous thread in depth but I got the impression from some comments that this was not confirmed. Somebody also suggested this was to stop the practice of "pathfinders" sitting in the best seats long before the performance starts and keeping seats for their mates who appear just before curtains up.

 

The obvious answer would be to have a small reserved section and anybody wanting to sit there puts their name (no more than two people per party) into a daily random ballot - the luck of the draw.

[Bubbles2u]

Hi

 

"I am very concerned when I read that Thomson are charging £10 to get a seat at the front for shows on the Dream."

 

 

 

 

Do we know for certain that that is now the standard policy on Dream ?

 

 

I returned from the Dream on 6th July and can confirm that they are offering best seats and a drink or two for £10 per person. Advertised in every day's cruise news.

 

We sat at the back so can't say if there was much demand.

[kruzseeka]

From topsey's report of the evening 'shows' on Celebration recently they may find there is little demand for seats - anywhere!!!!

[Tatto]

I have just returned form the Celebration. Less on the AI ( so when is AI not AI? ) Coke Fanta etc. only served by the glass filled to to brim with ice. Meals very sparcely served,water only avalably by the glass from bars ( was tap water for 2 days?? ). Lack bar staff and long waits for drinks... NOW CHARGING for seats...UNBELEAVABLE:eek:

[mrsloopylou]

I have just returned form the Celebration. Less on the AI ( so when is AI not AI? ) Coke Fanta etc. only served by the glass filled to to brim with ice. Meals very sparcely served,water only avalably by the glass from bars ( was tap water for 2 days?? ). Lack bar staff and long waits for drinks... NOW CHARGING for seats...UNBELEAVABLE:eek:

 

Hi Tatto, what cruise was you on ?

[hall4me]

I have just returned form the Celebration. Less on the AI ( so when is AI not AI? ) Coke Fanta etc. only served by the glass filled to to brim with ice. Meals very sparcely served,water only avalably by the glass from bars ( was tap water for 2 days?? ). Lack bar staff and long waits for drinks... NOW CHARGING for seats...UNBELEAVABLE:eek:

 

thomson better watch i know quite a few folk that has sailed with thomson for a while, have now booked with ncl and finding out they are cheaper and more value .If thomson keeps this up they may have already shot themselves in the foot . :cool:

[sodafountain]

I am very concerned when I read that Thomson are charging £10 to get a seat at the front for shows on the Dream. It doesn't fit my definition of all inclusive. I do worry that this may be the thin edge of the wedge and that if we don't make a lot of noise about this one they will extend not only this policy to other ships but may find other ways to charge us for things we thought we had already paid for. :(

 

Are people noticing empty seats at the front? Must say I think it is very sneaky to charge at all when the shows are included in the price of the cruise. What next? Posh toilets to use for a fiver?

 

Without sounding rude, what is your defininitions of All Inclusive.

 

As far as i am aware, you can still see the show, for free, so it is still included, ok, they may charge for these extra seats, but that does not mean you are now required to pay for the show, you can still watch it for free.

 

Like most hotels that are AI, and Thomson cruises going back in time, jsut because they are AI, doesn't mean that EVERYTHING is included in the price, just my opinion.

[kalos]

I never looked at Thomson entertaiment as part of AI or even a perk linked to it .

 

"Extra Charges Aboard Ship

Aboard all ships you are expected to pay extra for: shore excursions, some entertainment activities (such as bingo or cocktail-making sessions), beauty treatments, hairdressing, casino, laundry service, safety deposit boxes and purchases from the shops onboard. There is a cover charge at each of the à la carte restaurants onboard our ships".

 

Maybe its time Thomson put "selected seating " in among bingo& cocktail-making ."

 

http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/life-onboard/got-a-question.html

 

If they think its fair, get it in print ,then everyone knows what to expect :cool:

 

Also while they are at it ,if they are cutting back on the west end style shows ..Why would they advertise them as if they were the norm ?

 

"Come sundown it's all West End-style shows, cabaret and comedy from UK guest acts"

 

http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/life-onboard/cruise-entertainment.html

 

We used the Destiny and that was west end shows but the other two Thomson ships I have used I would not say they were "All west end style shows " The Majesty with their stage I could understand but the Dream was just blatant cut backs.

 

Time for Thomson to re-write what's an extra and what's included then no one should feel short changed when on a cruise with thomson .:)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Very good posts kalos and sodafountain :)

 

I think Red Scorpion's point was that this could be the thin end of the wedge and they may start to charge for all seats, if they get away with this :(

I call it the "Butlin effect" :rolleyes: When we used to take our children to Butlins many years ago, all the chalets were the same and everything was included. Then they got go-carts and that was extra and then they built de-luxe chalets and hotels and gradually other things were extras :rolleyes:

 

BTW kalos, I didn't know you had booked the Crown Princess. Where are you going?

[Jim The Scot]

Maybe they should start charging for the sunloungers.That would stop the hoggers :D

[kalos]

Very good posts kalos and sodafountain :)

 

I think Red Scorpion's point was that this could be the thin end of the wedge and they may start to charge for all seats, if they get away with this :(

I call it the "Butlin effect" .. When we used to take our children to Butlins many years ago, all the chalets were the same and everything was included. Then they got go-carts and that was extra and then they built de-luxe chalets and hotels and gradually other things were extras :rolleyes:

 

BTW kalos, I didn't know you had booked the Crown Princess. Where are you going?

Only a four day one up to Rotterdam,over to Guernsey, a day at sea then back to Southampton .

Gives me a chance to see how the other half live but I have got a night out on the Thomson Spirit

before that . Would you advise sticking to the boarding times on Princess or turn up a tad earlier Linda ?;)

　

 

 

Maybe they should start charging for the sunloungers.That would stop the hoggers :D

 

Well they wont get much coin outa me with sunbeds Jim , trouble is I have no problem getting down in one

getting out is not a pretty sight matey :o.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

before that . Would you advise sticking to the boarding times on Princess or turn up a tad earlier Linda ?;)

I think you can turn up earlier than they say. Your cabin may not be ready, but you should still be able to board. When we did the Baltic from Harwich, we set off quite early in case of hold ups, but a clear run meant we were too early so we stopped for a drink and a bite to eat, arrived at the dock at the correct time to find queues of cars and when we did get on and started chatting to people we found lots of people had arrived early and got on a had a free lunch :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

I shall be back from the Crown before you go, so I can let you know nearer the time :)

[sodafountain]

Very good posts kalos and sodafountain :)

 

I think Red Scorpion's point was that this could be the thin end of the wedge and they may start to charge for all seats, if they get away with this :(

I call it the "Butlin effect" :rolleyes: When we used to take our children to Butlins many years ago, all the chalets were the same and everything was included. Then they got go-carts and that was extra and then they built de-luxe chalets and hotels and gradually other things were extras :rolleyes:

 

BTW kalos, I didn't know you had booked the Crown Princess. Where are you going?

 

More so, just got back with my 15 month old daughter, and they do charge you extra for the best seats (well, early entrance fee).

 

http://www.butlins.com/overlays/term-time.aspx

 

Although, surely, Cruise Ships have always charged you extra depending on what sort of room you want, maybe Butlins copied that from them :D

[goonersue]

I agree with you Jim. I'm not a sun worshipper anymore (used to be when I was younger!), but it is nice to relax in the sun now and then, but its a near impossibility with the hoggers!

[skioncruises]

I agree with you Jim. I'm not a sun worshipper anymore (used to be when I was younger!), but it is nice to relax in the sun now and then, but its a near impossibility with the hoggers!

 

Hi Sue

 

Just hijacking this thread to wish you all the best on Fire and Ice next week. If you get a sunbed I hope you don't need one of their blankets as well.:)

 

Back to topic: The only way to stop these silly add-ons is to boycott them. Uncomfortable seats which are badly in need of re-upholstering, people walking through the lounge when shows are going on, waiters serving drinks throughout the show, etc. etc.:(

[Jim The Scot]

Well they wont get much coin outa me with sunbeds Jim , trouble is I have no problem getting down in one

getting out is not a pretty sight matey :o.

 

They`d get the square root of zero from me kalos

 

:D

 

similar.would have no probs getting down on one,removing myself is a different matter

 

What Thomson need are some nice comfortable reclining chairs along the promenade deck

 

I agree with you Jim. I'm not a sun worshipper anymore (used to be when I was younger!), but it is nice to relax in the sun now and then, but its a near impossibility with the hoggers!

 

Similar Sue,used to be a sun worshipper but haven`t been for many years..My comment regarding charging for the loungers was very toungue in cheek and wouldn`t bother me in the least if it was introduced.Spent a week on the Dream at the end of May and was never on one

 

 

Have a grand time on your cruise Sue

[CRUISIN LINDA]

More so, just got back with my 15 month old daughter, and they do charge you extra for the best seats (well, early entrance fee).

 

http://www.butlins.com/overlays/term-time.

Blimey! what a cheek, Perhaps someone at Thomson went to Butlins and got the idea from them :):)

[davetrucker]

We have sailed was Thomson since 2010 on the Dream and have really enjoyed it . Our Last time was in may this year and since the so called upgrade the quality as gone down.We had already booked for this Sept, but I am thinking we will be looking for another line after it.Thomson seem to be trying to drive their regular passengers away. I did send an e-mail to them a few weeks ago but as to this date they have not bothered to reply. Customer service at the top does not happen

[Jakanne1]

We have sailed was Thomson since 2010 on the Dream and have really enjoyed it . Our Last time was in may this year and since the so called upgrade the quality as gone down.We had already booked for this Sept, but I am thinking we will be looking for another line after it.Thomson seem to be trying to drive their regular passengers away. I did send an e-mail to them a few weeks ago but as to this date they have not bothered to reply. Customer service at the top does not happen

 

I sent an email 10 days ago and had an automatic reply saying currently replies are taking 14 days. If I do not have a reply within 4 days they will be pestered until I get one! :eek::eek::eek::D