should we cancel

[jaxw17]

We have booked an 18 night repositioning cruise for December.

This will be our 11th Cruise first with Thomsons

I am getting really worried as opposed to other cruise lines Thomson gets a lot of very bad reviews. I am undecided as to cancel and lose what deposit I have paid against £3,000 down the drain.

I would be interested in what others thought who have cruised with other lines.

Thanks all comments will be welcome.

[paulaud]

We have booked an 18 night repositioning cruise for December.

This will be our 11th Cruise first with Thomsons

I am getting really worried as opposed to other cruise lines Thomson gets a lot of very bad reviews. I am undecided as to cancel and lose what deposit I have paid against £3,000 down the drain.

I would be interested in what others thought who have cruised with other lines.

Thanks all comments will be welcome.

 

Wow interesting question and I think one only you can really decide. Looking at your post you have travelled on some really nice cruise lines. I have cruised with Thompsons on a number of ships, Dream, Spirit and Destiny. I have really enjoyed each one however, I think it is fair to say that you need to take an overall view on what s important. Thomson ships are much older than anything you will have been on before. They tend to show their age although they do try to refurbish them every few years but realistically it is only cosmetic. There are however some major attractions. The shows tend to be excellent but generally targeted at the British markets. I have travelled with NCL and the shows tend to be more international and I didn't think as good. Whilst we thought that the cabins were modern and the Norwegean Jade a lovely ship there were just too many people on board and we have returned to Thomson. I also didn't think that the food was much different on NCL comparing to Thomson.The big attraction with Thomson is that normally you get more ports for your money. We are doing the Celebration in February. There is only 1 day at sea plus you generally dock at 8am and do not sail until 6pm so a full day in port. Some cruise lines give you only a few hours in port. Another advantage is that Thomson ships do not carry more than about 1500 passengers. The Celebration is limited to 1200. This makes a massive difference to us particularly if you have to tender into port. You will understand what I mean if you have travelled on large ships. The staff are also very friendly and do go out of their way to make your holiday enjoyable. Food can vary but we have always found the food to be very good.

I think when reading reviews it is best to understand that some people are never happy. I think it might be unfair to compare Thomson with say Cunard. I generally take an overall view when reading reviews one bad review against 6good stacks in Thomson favour in my opinion.

 

Good Luck

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Well put paulaud :)

[geomagot]

yes well put paul (thumbup)

 

i agree some of the reviews recently are rather perturbing

 

reading between the lines tho... and imo, a lot of recent returnees have been v disappointed by poor weather and missed ports coupled with airport debacles and various other disappointments (mainly to do with entertainment, food & service which is an emotive subject at the best of times)

 

one individual may love it (I did) the next may hate it ...thats purely down to the individual

 

I have just returned from dream and yes, for us, there were small issues that could have been done better, yes the ships are older but they are v well maintained (I knew that before I booked) however (for us) there was plenty to like

[jaxw17]

Thank you those replies were very helpful and well thought out.

I agree with the bigger ships having problems with tenders and in ports and don't really like them any more.

we went on P and O Ventura approx 3200 pax and it was a cattle market.

i do think that it is right that some have been about the weather and other things and not directly at the cruise.

Thomson seem to get some travellers that are very loyal to them and have not tried any different products so another view is always good.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Jackie

[Flopsy]

Hi Jax

 

I do hope that paulauds reply has put your mind at ease as the reply was so well written and to the point.

 

We have been on 11 cruises with Thomson and at first I used to do elaborate reviews- now I'm getting too lazy! Search under my name to read a few!

 

We love the relaxing atmosphere on Thomson cruises- the staff are so much fun- we look forward to seeing familiar faces from year to year and they are always happy, smiling. and so hardworking.

 

The shows are superb. The first few times I went to the shows on my own as my hubby 'didn't like musicals' but one year he came to a show, and now he can't stay away!

 

We love waking up in a new port every day.The itineraries on Thomson are so interesting.

 

I think people who have had a bad experience are much more inclined to post a thread- the rest of us who had a good time are less inclined to post a message.I do hope that you will enjoy the experience as much as we do.

[paulaud]

Hi Jax

 

I do hope that paulauds reply has put your mind at ease as the reply was so well written and to the point.

 

We have been on 11 cruises with Thomson and at first I used to do elaborate reviews- now I'm getting too lazy! Search under my name to read a few!

 

We love the relaxing atmosphere on Thomson cruises- the staff are so much fun- we look forward to seeing familiar faces from year to year and they are always happy, smiling. and so hardworking.

 

The shows are superb. The first few times I went to the shows on my own as my hubby 'didn't like musicals' but one year he came to a show, and now he can't stay away!

 

We love waking up in a new port every day.The itineraries on Thomson are so interesting.

 

I think people who have had a bad experience are much more inclined to post a thread- the rest of us who had a good time are less inclined to post a message.I do hope that you will enjoy the experience as much as we do.

 

Cant believe that I never mentioned the trips. Over recent years I have done a number of different trips. Last year we paid for a Thomson trip to the beach. They collected us from the Dream and took us by taxi to Dickenson Bay. We were escorted to the beach and given sun beds and parasols(cost extra). There was as much rum punch as you could handle and the people were so nice and friendly. We were also entertained that day by a guy who turned up with home grown Aloe Vera and offered a back massage or hair massage with this not very nice green looking slop, he was so funny I cried laughing. All this for £25 each. Wow. We have also done our own thing. The only issue is making sure you get back to the ship on time and that does worry me. WE did Aruba 2 years ago on the Dream. When we got off the ship the port staff pointed us to a local bus station and we caught the bus to Eagle beach. The cost was coppers! In fact it cost far more for 2 bottles of beer. Overall I think the Thomson trips are quite good value for money but I suppose there may be the odd one here and there that might disappoint. With NCL we docked quite a way from the town at Dubrovnik they decided to put coaches on but you had to pay which i thought was a bit cheeky. I think again you have to take trips on face value and understand that in some places facilities can be a bit basic. I don't see this as a reason to complain. Some people go abroad and spend their time complaining because its not like home. Well I say thank god! If I wanted that I would not go away. I think its worthy of asking on here about the trips. There is always people here willing to talk about their experiences and most of us are quite genuine

[Flopsy]

Cant believe that I never mentioned the trips. Over recent years I have done a number of different trips. Last year we paid for a Thomson trip to the beach. They collected us from the Dream and took us by taxi to Dickenson Bay. We were escorted to the beach and given sun beds and parasols(cost extra). There was as much rum punch as you could handle and the people were so nice and friendly. We were also entertained that day by a guy who turned up with home grown Aloe Vera and offered a back massage or hair massage with this not very nice green looking slop, he was so funny I cried laughing. All this for £25 each. Wow.

 

Now I have this image of you drunkenly staggering back to the ship with slurred speech, and dripping in green gloop ha ha!

 

Yes we always do the Thomson excursions. I recall waiting to sail from Venice when one couple were missing- with one minute to go a taxi sped up to the ship and a couple leapt out and ran on board. The lady later told me they had got on a vaporetto and then realised it was going in the wrong direction so leapt off in a panic -and then realised they were lost. Clutching the Cruise News (NB.take it with you folks!) they found the ship's phone number and rang the ship- a member of staff called a taxi and went to rescue the lost couple. The lady said when the staff member arrived 'I kissed and kissed and kissed her- I was so relieved'!

[paulaud]

Cant believe that I never mentioned the trips. Over recent years I have done a number of different trips. Last year we paid for a Thomson trip to the beach. They collected us from the Dream and took us by taxi to Dickenson Bay. We were escorted to the beach and given sun beds and parasols(cost extra). There was as much rum punch as you could handle and the people were so nice and friendly. We were also entertained that day by a guy who turned up with home grown Aloe Vera and offered a back massage or hair massage with this not very nice green looking slop, he was so funny I cried laughing. All this for £25 each. Wow.

 

Now I have this image of you drunkenly staggering back to the ship with slurred speech, and dripping in green gloop ha ha!

 

Yes we always do the Thomson excursions. I recall waiting to sail from Venice when one couple were missing- with one minute to go a taxi sped up to the ship and a couple leapt out and ran on board. The lady later told me they had got on a vaporetto and then realised it was going in the wrong direction so leapt off in a panic -and then realised they were lost. Clutching the Cruise News (NB.take it with you folks!) they found the ship's phone number and rang the ship- a member of staff called a taxi and went to rescue the lost couple. The lady said when the staff member arrived 'I kissed and kissed and kissed her- I was so relieved'!

 

I have to say Flopsy that one or two were slightly more vocal on the return journey back to the ship. Hilarious, some didn't turn up in the evening LOL.

[madascharley]

we like thompsons because its not full of posh rich people who think they are better than anyone else.

my partner calls Thompson the working mans cruise ))