How does Thomson compare to other lines ?

[mw_1970]

I have never cruised Thomson before. I have cruised Ocean Village, Royal Carribbean and NCL.

 

RC used to be ok but they have ruined it by trying to do freestyle cruising which NCL do so well. We like NCL, we like the flexibility when it comes to dining, we like the many dining options and many different bars etc.

 

Having looked at Thomson in the past I feel that the ships weren't big enough for me in that they didn't have much choice to offer in the way of dining options etc. However, I notice that RC Splendour of the Seas has been bought and is undergoing refurbishment and is to be Thomson Discovery from this summer. The ship will no doubt be lovely and certainly looks a bit more like what we are looking for whilst onboard.

 

The BEST cruise we ever did was our first ever cruise on Ocean Village in 2008 and that was because of the brilliant smaller ports she visited in the Caribbean. I note that Discovery seems to be offering pretty much identical iteniaries to the Ocean Village routes in the Caribbean and so I am now interested in possibly booking a Thomson Cruise for next year.

 

If any of you have previously sailed Ocean Village, Royal Caribbean and/or NCL, please could you tell me how Thomson compares ? Obviously I appreciate that it will pretty much be 100% British passengers or at least assume this to be true ? How about entertainment, food and drinks etc ?

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[mw_1970]

Nearly 200 views but no replys.

 

I assume that you must all be die hard Thomson fans !

 

Surely one of you has sailed on one of the other cruise lines mentioned ?

 

Please?

[Pensioncruiser]

Not me sorry!

[Dodgydavid]

Nor me

[happy v]

Nope.;)

[Pensioncruiser]

We will all help if we can that's why you have 200 views but this is a Thomson site, think you will get some useful feedback eventually as we don't all do just Thompson, good luck.

[Stevio]

How does Thomson compare to other lines ?

 

We too fell in love with Ocean Village, took 5 cruises on OV2 in her last two years & been looking for something similar ever since... Island Escape came pretty close but she too has now retired.

All the cruise lines seem to have really good staff.

Thomsons are older smaller ships but more laid back & relaxed. They have the highest quality entertainment teams but generally lack the entertainment venues of NCL ships. I would say the food, good old British nosh (curries, Chinese etc.) is directly comparable to Ocean Village food, in that they have buffets with just about the widest selection of food you could want. The only difference from OV is that there are also complimentary service restaurants that will deliver the same food to your table for you. Thomson make a pretty good stab at "freestyle dining" & I think the only nights with sittings are the formal ones. The main quibble I have with Thomson's is that every time they take over a ship they seem to remove two thirds of the casino. :confused:

However, I have high hopes for the Thomson Discovery. It looks to have a decently sized theatre and overall appears distinctly Ocean Villagy... Apart from the climbing wall of course. :D

[Eglesbrech]

I can't comment on OV but can on RCI. Thomson and RCI are completely different but they both have their good points.

 

Rci ships are bigger, have much more choice of restaurants (and food in general), a better choice of cabins which are much bigger comparing like for like and much more modern. The public areas lack the RCI wow factor and the outside decks are much much smaller with no running track etc On Thomson for example you don't get ice rinks, ice bars, climbing walls, Royal Promenade, parades, dodgem cars and We Will Rock You as the main show!

 

What you do get is a very friendly small ship feel with great service which is genuine, rather than the "have a nice day" variety. If you can see past the smaller,slightly shabbier ship with a lot less choice then you will find a holiday that has all the elements you need.

 

You will get into much more interesting ports than the large RCI bohemoths cant travel to. With less passengers embarcation & disembarkation are much quicker. You also get to know other passengers much better as you tend to bump into the same people and we have always found the passengers and staff to be really friendly - more so than on RCI.

 

Re your specific points food on Thomson is much more basic than RCI, no "always available" options but you will not starve and there are some high points eg the currys. The buffet also has much less choice but it is perfectly sufficient.

 

Drinks cost much less than on RCI and there is no exorbitant autotip. The range available on Thomson is less eg choice of wines but perfectly adequate.

 

The entertainment on Thomson lacks the razzmatazz and staging you get on RCI but it is enjoyable and it is more engaging on some levels, passengers get involved and there is a homely feel to it. Hard to describe but Thomson regulars will know what I mean, you feel like part of a large house party. Thomson do something I have never seen on any other ship, they do plays - usually farces and they are excellent. We have seen some well acted and very funny plays over the years.

 

Just another thought, Thomson provide the flights from local airports and transfers as well as the cruise so you will get to the ship with much less hassle.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

[Whitechapel girl]

I'm trying Thomsons for the first time in October on Discovery. Main reason for this is that I have been on splendour of the seas as she was or is still until April, a RC ship. Also itinerary really appealed and fits in with work schedule. I'm looking forward to see what the refit is like but also read good things about entertainment on Thomsons ships, so looking forward to it. I have sailed on Celebrity and RC ships before. We are also trying P&O for the first time in June on Britannia but reading quite negative reviews on the food[emoji33]

[Jim The Scot]

How does Thomson compare to other lines ?

 

We too fell in love with Ocean Village, took 5 cruises on OV2 in her last two years & been looking for something similar ever since... Island Escape came pretty close but she too has now retired.

All the cruise lines seem to have really good staff.

Thomsons are older smaller ships but more laid back & relaxed. They have the highest quality entertainment teams but generally lack the entertainment venues of NCL ships. I would say the food, good old British nosh (curries, Chinese etc.) is directly comparable to Ocean Village food, in that they have buffets with just about the widest selection of food you could want. The only difference from OV is that there are also complimentary service restaurants that will deliver the same food to your table for you. Thomson make a pretty good stab at "freestyle dining" & I think the only nights with sittings are the formal ones. The main quibble I have with Thomson's is that every time they take over a ship they seem to remove two thirds of the casino. :confused:

However, I have high hopes for the Thomson Discovery. It looks to have a decently sized theatre and overall appears distinctly Ocean Villagy... Apart from the climbing wall of course. :D

 

As another ex OV2 cruiser concur with most of what Stevio says.After OV2 departed our shores we had to look for a ship of the same/ similar ilk and not fancying the all singing all dancing dressing up to the eye balls thousands of passenger ships we chose a cruise on the Dream.Only having OV2 to compair her with intially didn,t like her but grew into it,s subsequently cruised on her 4/5 times and the Maj 2/3 times and booked Discovery for this year

 

Staff in the main excellent although noticed a difference on our last cruise,food decent/ good,entertainment in the main excellent,last but not least and a big part is the friendliness of fellow passenger

 

OV2 ,food for me way better as were the cabins but suppose difficult to compere as we always had a balcony on OV2 where on the Thomson ships it's always just been an outside cabin as the supplement for a balcony cabin was/ is way to much for us

[mw_1970]

As another ex OV2 cruiser concur with most of what Stevio says.After OV2 departed our shores we had to look for a ship of the same/ similar ilk and not fancying the all singing all dancing dressing up to the eye balls thousands of passenger ships we chose a cruise on the Dream.Only having OV2 to compair her with intially didn,t like her but grew into it,s subsequently cruised on her 4/5 times and the Maj 2/3 times and booked Discovery for this year

 

Staff in the main excellent although noticed a difference on our last cruise,food decent/ good,entertainment in the main excellent,last but not least and a big part is the friendliness of fellow passenger

 

OV2 ,food for me way better as were the cabins but suppose difficult to compere as we always had a balcony on OV2 where on the Thomson ships it's always just been an outside cabin as the supplement for a balcony cabin was/ is way to much for us

 

Thanks all for the replies.

 

It will be interesting to see how Discovery goes with Thomsons as it certainly looks to be quite different to the rest of the fleet with many more options by the looks of things.

 

Interesting that you suggest Thomson food is not as good as OV as I honestly felt the food (buffet) on OV2 was pretty dull to be honest so we ended up eating at La Luna most evenings and lunchtimes.

 

I look forward to reading the reviews about Discovery, in particular from those that are trying Thomson for the first time. Have to say that the itineraries certainly look far nicer than the ports on the mega ships.

[kruzseeka]

I'm trying Thomsons for the first time in October on Discovery. Main reason for this is that I have been on splendour of the seas as she was or is still until April, a RC ship. Also itinerary really appealed and fits in with work schedule. I'm looking forward to see what the refit is like but also read good things about entertainment on Thomsons ships, so looking forward to it. I have sailed on Celebrity and RC ships before. We are also trying P&O for the first time in June on Britannia but reading quite negative reviews on the food[emoji33]

 

I would be very interested to hear about your opinions post cruise and how Thomson compares with your other cruise experiences - we've found pluses and minuses with all the cruise lines we've tried - but never failed to thoroughly enjoy each one! It's a case of personal priorities - what's important to one can be less important to another. I hope you enjoy both your forthcoming cruises.

[GLYNAGP]

I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise on Thomson . We have our second Thomson Cruise in October, previously cruised RCI,NCL,Celebrity,Costa, all of which have their own individuality. NCL very casual, which the older we get the more we like, Costa very Italian, RCI and Celebrity very American. We do enjoy a mix of International passengers which is something you don't get with Thomson being mostly package holidays from UK ( That's not a criticism just an observation ) but still very pleasant and it's good value for money .

[davecttr]

I am looking forward to my Discovery cruise in June. She is certainly a cut above the rest of the fleet as far as facilities are concerned and i think the large numbers of balconies will be popular.

 

I am growing tired with P&O and the last two cruises have been disappointing so I am trying Norwegian Epic this year. With over 100 single cabins and a dedicated lounge plus social hostess just for the solos it might just be what I seek.

 

I hope to put off any decisions for next year until after June but i might well be cruising with Thomson again :)

[UK Cruiser2]

Have cruised with RCL 6 times,Thomson only once. Yes,the RCL ships have all the facilities that Thomson don't but we never used the flowriders,dodgems,robotic bar,climbing wall,etc etc.Thomson do have that more of a friendly feel as they are smaller.The production shows on RCL are more impressive with big sets but we preferred the Thomson entertainment team (We have only been on Spirit) The cocktails on RCL are mixed from the raw ingredients not poured from a carton.Cabins on RCL are bigger.The only reason we haven't sailed with Thomson any more yet has been itinerary/departure ports but we will definitely cruise with Thomson again.

[stevedeccaman]

Well said that man:)

Stevie

[Whitechapel girl]

I'll report back on how the P&O cruise goes in June to the fjords, both will be different experiences as I am going with my sister on Discovery in October and the OH in June. My sister is very excited as first cruise and holiday for a few years

[Jim The Scot]

 

Interesting that you suggest Thomson food is not as good as OV as I honestly felt the food (buffet) on OV2 was pretty dull to be honest so we ended up eating at La Luna most evenings and lunchtimes.

 

 

mw,if you thought the buffet on OV2(buffet) was dull don't know what you,d make of the buffet on the Dream or Majesty :o

 

To be fair we also ate mostly at the La Luna and lunched/ ate during the day at the buffet and found it to be generally very good

 

Hoping the food on the Discovery is decent

[Stevio]

When I previously praised Thomson buffets, I was thinking of the IE, Destiny & Majesty.. I had forgotten about the Dream April 2013. Ok it was a bad week with many of the staff down sick with Noro or whatever (sorry to remind Linda of the "cruise from hell" again). But the Dream had the largest buffet serving area with the least choice of any cruise I have been on. To the extent that on "Indian night" the only (complimentary) hot food on offer were a few dishes at the end of the counter & hamburgers available from outside on deck provided you made it out there before the burger stall closed at 19:00 hrs. The same fare was repeated downstairs in the main restaurant (minus the burgers of course) so if you didn't like Indian... Tough.

In comparison my first buffet on the Majesty had the choice of chicken, beef or pork, three types of fish, pasta, full salad selection, rice, chips, boiled or mash potatoes, full selection of cold meats, cheeses, etc. etc. And that was lunch... I kid you not there was a wider selection of food on offer for the first lunch on the Majesty than I saw for the whole week on the Dream.

I think if I were to order the buffets we have been to it would be 1/ Ocean Village, ... 2/ Island Escape ... 3/ Majesty ... 4/ Destiny .... 5/ NCL (all ships fairly equal menu) ... (Dream a non runner).

Edited March 31, 2016 by Stevio

[mw_1970]

I am looking forward to my Discovery cruise in June. She is certainly a cut above the rest of the fleet as far as facilities are concerned and i think the large numbers of balconies will be popular.

 

I am growing tired with P&O and the last two cruises have been disappointing so I am trying Norwegian Epic this year. With over 100 single cabins and a dedicated lounge plus social hostess just for the solos it might just be what I seek.

 

I hope to put off any decisions for next year until after June but i might well be cruising with Thomson again :)

 

You are going to LOVE NCL EPIC. Fantastic ship. Amazing entertainment and food. Great fun and having visited the Studio cabins and lounge I can definitely recommend this to single travellers. Have a great time ! We are back on in June.

[UK Cruiser2]

You are going to LOVE NCL EPIC. Fantastic ship. Amazing entertainment and food. Great fun and having visited the Studio cabins and lounge I can definitely recommend this to single travellers. Have a great time ! We are back on in June.

 

We too loved Epic apart from the cabin layout. We had a balcony cabin. The toilet and shower are separate with frosted glass type doors,the wash hand basin is in the cabin not the toilet or shower :eek: As you have been in studio cabins that would be different and not as awkward :)

[davecttr]

We too loved Epic apart from the cabin layout. We had a balcony cabin. The toilet and shower are separate with frosted glass type doors,the wash hand basin is in the cabin not the toilet or shower :eek: As you have been in studio cabins that would be different and not as awkward :)

Apparently the same layout in the studio cabins. I have been checking out the NCL forum and the dedicated lounge offers coffee, breakfasts, juices etc plus is open all day and drinks are available between 6pm and 7pm. at the 6pm get together the solo hostess can organise groups of people to eat together, make the restaurant bookings etc. Also for shows where apparently you get to sit in the premier seats if available :)

 

Thomson can't match that but I have had hosted breakfast, lunch and dinner in the past. i wonder if all that has been dropped in the pursuit of profit!.

 

P&O's offering is minimal, a cup of tea or coffee on sea days and the entertainment hosts disappear after 10 minutes or so :(

[UK Cruiser2]

Apparently the same layout in the studio cabins. I have been checking out the NCL forum and the dedicated lounge offers coffee, breakfasts, juices etc plus is open all day and drinks are available between 6pm and 7pm. at the 6pm get together the solo hostess can organise groups of people to eat together, make the restaurant bookings etc. Also for shows where apparently you get to sit in the premier seats if available :)

 

Thomson can't match that but I have had hosted breakfast, lunch and dinner in the past. i wonder if all that has been dropped in the pursuit of profit!.

 

P&O's offering is minimal, a cup of tea or coffee on sea days and the entertainment hosts disappear after 10 minutes or so :(

 

Studio cabin layout even if the same will be fine. In our cabin it didn't seem right when one of us was using the toilet and the other could see their outline through the glass and when you finished using the toilet you had to open/close the toilet door before you could get to the hand basin to wash your hands :eek: