Thomson Destiny Cruise just awful!

Gezza09

vivatifosi wrote: »

I don't think the complaint re star rating is an unreasonable one. I don't know who rated it four star, but it isn't imho. I think of four star ships being the more modern ones such as NCL, etc; 5 star being the high end offering and 3 star being the good offerings on the older ships - kind of in line with Douglas Ward's cruise ship book on the subject. Anyone being sold this ship as a 4 star cruise (not a 4 star hotel) is going to be disappointed. The ship is 27 years old and just doesn't stand up to comparison to modern cruise liners and innovations in cruising which are deservedly rated 4 star and above.

In terms of the other issues, not sure about the drinks, you get what cabin you pay for and everyone has to leave early on cruise as unlike in hotels, they tend to have to turn every cabin round.

Thanks Viva....
Our party at the time where considering Ocean Village 2 as it was in the Med for the dates we wanted but First Choice suggested Thomson Destiny. They sold it as a luxurious 4 star ship as we knew the OV2 was informal but a much newer ship and looked very comfy indeed in the brochure. I wonder if First Choice and Thomsons are connected somehow??????

Gezza09

delwynsholidaydeals wrote: »

Well travel agents only go by the tour operators ratings, our agency rarely gets involved within the cruise industry to be honest

I wouldnt pay the prices for thomsons ships anyhow, I do think they are very over priced!!

No need to be rude mate

Since you are of the opinion that this is a 4* ship then I feel really sorry for the customers that you are misleading in your agency. They should be warned at least that the tour operators ratings are as out of date as this ship.

delwynshd

Like i stated before i would not compare it to another liner's 4 star

I would tell my customers that the ship is not to the standards

It isnt the travel agent who makes the ratings of ships/hotels we have to go by the operators ratings

However Thomsons ratings are not official ratings, some hotels that the may have in the brochures could be 3 star but they would rate it at 4T

They see the ship as a 4T standard

Thomson and First Choice are connected, Thomson took over first choice last year

Caz3121

Gezza09 wrote: »

Thanks for your comments Caz.
Our tickets indicated Deck 2/3. We asked for Deck 3 double. Again we were never asked by First Choice if we wished to confirm/reserve/book a cabin. When we collected the tickets 2 weeks before departure there was still no cabin number identifed and we asked travel agent yet again which deck of which they couldnt tell us which I thought was most odd. Surely that close to the actual holiday they would know by now? Travel agent also said that if we did get a twinned room we could make beds into a double which is not true at all! It was noticeable on departure when we booked a cabin for the day that we got one on Deck 3 which was vast difference to Deck 2 indeed!

Interstingly enough it looks like Thomson make a charge if you want to select a cabin....might have been something now that you know what you know you could have opted for (double bed, deck 3!)

Pre-Book Your Cabin

Your Choice for only £35!
The more often you cruise, the more you will get to know the ins and outs of the ships and will be keen to pre-book a cabin in your preferred spot.
Whether it's a cabin close to the main facilities, one next door to your friends or the absolute reassurance that you will get a double bed, you can reserve the cabin of your choice. For those of you who have sailed with Thomson Cruises before, you may wish to book the same cabin. The choice is yours.
Just take a look at the ships' deck plans where all the cabin numbers are shown.
Then once you have booked your holiday call our specialist team on 0871 231 4908*, or call your travel agent and availability permitting, its yours.
Book early for more choice as this service is very popular.

Any

Gezza09 wrote: »

Thanks for your comments Caz.
Our tickets indicated Deck 2/3. We asked for Deck 3 double. Again we were never asked by First Choice if we wished to confirm/reserve/book a cabin.

I understand why are you upset, but this is fault of your travel agent, not Thomson's! Unless you booked it at Thomson's shop?

SwissLe

The Thomson Destiny is rated 3+ star according to the Berlitz guide. I have travelled on this liner once and would agree with the rating.

I would also say that the liner also meets the standards set out to achieve a 4* rating of a resort hotel within Europe. All cabins are en-suite, there is full length mirrors in each cabin, they are serviced daily, a selection of toiletries are provided and there is a restaurant. It also attempts to enter 5* category with turn down services, multiple restaurant choices with wine cellar and room service. Quality of towels is not a requirement of a 5* category.

Whilst it may not be the most modern of vessels, it was a design marvel when launched as the Song of America in 1982 for RCCI. The cabins are mainly located near the front or bow of the ship, with the public areas at the rear. This means little or no complaints about vibration. They also have a selection of 1.5 height decks. The wrap around funnel bar is the only one to be found outside of RCCI too. All this is great but still isn't going to impress the modern cruiser used to P&O service or RCI innovative vessels. You try and find a cruise for £300 for one week onboard those lines though.

You tend to get allocated a deck and cabin type with Thomson. The outside cabins have a fold away bed which means you cannot have a double. To get a double you either need to have an inside cabin or upgrade. There is the option to upgrade, reserve a cabin (for a charge) before you go and even once you are onboard.

Gezza09

SwissLe wrote: »

The Thomson Destiny is rated 3+ star according to the Berlitz guide. I have travelled on this liner once and would agree with the rating.

I would also say that the liner also meets the standards set out to achieve a 4* rating of a resort hotel within Europe. All cabins are en-suite, there is full length mirrors in each cabin, they are serviced daily, a selection of toiletries are provided and there is a restaurant. It also attempts to enter 5* category with turn down services, multiple restaurant choices with wine cellar and room service. Quality of towels is not a requirement of a 5* category.

Whilst it may not be the most modern of vessels, it was a design marvel when launched as the Song of America in 1982 for RCCI. The cabins are mainly located near the front or bow of the ship, with the public areas at the rear. This means little or no complaints about vibration. They also have a selection of 1.5 height decks. The wrap around funnel bar is the only one to be found outside of RCCI too. All this is great but still isn't going to impress the modern cruiser used to P&O service or RCI innovative vessels. You try and find a cruise for £300 for one week onboard those lines though.

You tend to get allocated a deck and cabin type with Thomson. The outside cabins have a fold away bed which means you cannot have a double. To get a double you either need to have an inside cabin or upgrade. There is the option to upgrade, reserve a cabin (for a charge) before you go and even once you are onboard.

Hi Swissle thanks for taking the time to reply, as mentioned previously we were never offered any upgrades since January. Never made aware that you could reserve a cabin; despite asking once on board for an upgrade they told us and other passengers who were complaining that they were full to capacity. then how come, I said, that are 3 vacant cabins on our deck all week?? they continued to say they were full to capacity. on their 4* vessel.

getmore4less

With any cruise you need to research carefully especialy when trying out a new line or ship in a familiar line.

Read every review you can find

The thomson ships are all old and you need to be carefull with cabin locations, vibrations,

The product is very different to the US fleet, aimed squarly at the "Thomson british" market.


We would do another but the prices have always been too high for our dates we have got NCL RCI and Celebrity at better value rates.

They can be good value but you need to be looking under £350pw inc flights.

Gezza09

getmore4less wrote: »

With any cruise you need to research carefully especialy when trying out a new line or ship in a familiar line.

Read every review you can find

The thomson ships are all old and you need to be carefull with cabin locations, vibrations,

The product is very different to the US fleet, aimed squarly at the "Thomson british" market.


We would do another but the prices have always been too high for our dates we have got NCL RCI and Celebrity at better value rates.

They can be good value but you need to be looking under £350pw inc flights.

Thanks for your comments. We did do some research on various critic websites and found mixed reviews on a number of ships. I have cruised before and perhaps my level of expectation for a 4* was too high??? I have used P&O and Celebrity before who were excellent, couldn't fault them really. But paying almost several hundred pounds per person for party of 4 and getting Deck 2 noisy/cold cabins was my worst nightmare come true!

not_tonight_josephine_2

Gezza09 wrote: »

perhaps my level of expectation for a 4* was too high???

I have to say I don't rely on star ratings for any kind of travel these days - as I think someone mentioned earlier, the star rating really just tells you what level of facilities the accomodation has available, it doesn't stop it being a complete hole in some cases!

I used to refuse to stay anywhere that wasn't at least 4* as I'm quite fussy about my holidays, but over the last couple of years I've actually stayed in several 2/3* hotels which were 100 times better than some 4*!