Thomson Destiny Cruise just awful!

Gezza09

not_tonight_josephine wrote: »

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*!

Hi N-T-J
I am also a wee tad fussy but like I said before I expected a slightly better standard of cabin having paid almost 700 each! When the travel agent says 4* I initially thought cozy/comfy warm feeling...hah it was completly opposite!

joaniemerc

I have been on two cruises with Thompsons - Caribbean and Red Sea - both on the Celebration (ex-Sunbird). Had fantastic experiences both times. Have also cruised P&O and Ocean Village (both owned by Carnival, btw). OK, Thompson's ships aren't the best on the market but the quality of the product - food, cleanliness and entertainment was comparable to P&O in our opinion. Yeah an atrium lift looks nice but it doesn't feed and entertain you! Equally, the Ocean Village 2 ship was a pleasant surprise - apparently an ex-Princess Cruises ship (although a bit too informal for our liking at meal times - bit of a bun fight!). I haven't been on the Destiny, so can't comment but I would definitely not discount Thompsons for a cruise.

OP - I agree you should make the point that the First Choice rep. had built the cruise/ship up to be something it wasn't and you are entitled to feel disappointed.

Gezza09

joaniemerc wrote: »

I have been on two cruises with Thompsons - Caribbean and Red Sea - both on the Celebration (ex-Sunbird). Had fantastic experiences both times. Have also cruised P&O and Ocean Village (both owned by Carnival, btw). OK, Thompson's ships aren't the best on the market but the quality of the product - food, cleanliness and entertainment was comparable to P&O in our opinion. Yeah an atrium lift looks nice but it doesn't feed and entertain you! Equally, the Ocean Village 2 ship was a pleasant surprise - apparently an ex-Princess Cruises ship (although a bit too informal for our liking at meal times - bit of a bun fight!). I haven't been on the Destiny, so can't comment but I would definitely not discount Thompsons for a cruise.

OP - I agree you should make the point that the First Choice rep. had built the cruise/ship up to be something it wasn't and you are entitled to feel disappointed.

Thanks for your comments Joanie. The more accurate rating for the Destiny is 3*probably because of its age and overall condition. The entertainment was of a good standard...I think that's what kept our spirits up. Waiting for First Choice to acknowlege my complaint. Defo not using them again!

Rachie_B

ellies_angel wrote: »

Well I was onboard the Thomson Destiny in July for my 40th and I loved it. We were on Deck 3. We were in an outside cabin which has its twin beds in an L shape. Inside cabins have twin beds side by side which can be made into a double. Double beds are limited to suites I believe. I'm not sure why it was so noisy as the engines on the Destiny are at the rear of the ship where there are no guest cabins.
I had no problems with the towels which were changed everyday, sculptured at night. The food was devine, the cocktails wonderful. We also booked in January and paid full price, bought the drinks package and felt we got great value for money.
Paying for a late checkout is standard, bed and breakfast, hotel or ship.
We saw some incredible ships when we were in port and realise that you pay a premium for them.
The Thomson Destiny isn't a new ship, neither is it a particularly old ship, the service and entertainment on board were wonderful. Its a wonderful introduction to crusing, can be as formal or informal as you want it to be. This was my first cruise, it won't be my last. I loved it.
I do agree First Choice let you down, we booked through our local independant travel agent, who on booking let us choose our cabin, choose from either an early or late sitting for dinner and organised our drinks package.

well said

we feel the same after our first cruise ( Destiny to the Caribbean in Feb 09)

we had the all inc free upgrade though

The cocktails definitely didn't seem watered down IMO ,I got quite tipsy working my way through the list lol !

we are 30 somethings with 2 sons then aged 12 and 6.
Yes the cabins are small but we expected this! and you really only shower and sleep there,they were kept immaculate though and no probs with our towels!

We are planning another cruise for 2011 and if Thomsons had better facilities etc for older children / teens we would have used them again.

Gezza09

Rachie_B wrote: »

well said

we feel the same after our first cruise ( Destiny to the Caribbean in Feb 09)

we had the all inc free upgrade though

The cocktails definitely didn't seem watered down IMO ,I got quite tipsy working my way through the list lol !

we are 30 somethings with 2 sons then aged 12 and 6.
Yes the cabins are small but we expected this! and you really only shower and sleep there,they were kept immaculate though and no probs with our towels!

We are planning another cruise for 2011 and if Thomsons had better facilities etc for older children / teens we would have used them again.

Hi Rachie
I am pleased that your first cruise experience was enjoyable. The Destiny was my third cruise and first/last with Thomsoms. Our drinks were almost certainly 'tampered' with. there is no way I could drink seven cocktails and manage to walk a straight line and stay upright at the same time!! If you do choose the Destiny next time try out Deck 2 - cold and noisey and no sculptered towels on this deck..mind you when they were so threadbare the sculptor probably would have fell over!!! We are just in our 40's kids stayed at home. We expected much better from Thomsons who should really leave the cruising to the big boys. For 2011 check out Celebrity or Princess cruise lines who really know what 4* means.

palmera2

I think you should direct your complaint to the travel agent not the tour operator..as i feel the agent has miss sold/mis informed you to gain a sale and comission..It looks as if the ship staff gave you what your agent had reserved

SwissLe

Thomson Cruises aren't set out to compete with the likes of RCCI and Carnival brands. They have experienced a massive growth via the ending of most other budget cruise brands in the UK.

In most countries a star rating is based on the level of facilities, not quality or service and doesn't become re-awarded. It also doesn't apply to cruise vessels unless they are talking about Berlitz guide ones and even then a score for each department would be more fitting.

I assume the agent was simply using it as a '4 star equiv.' but it came out incorrectly.

Thomson have a huge following, and get really good reviews on the whole. This obviously wasn't for you. I have seen them grow as a line throughout the years and to be fair they are always trying to improve their offering - the new ex-Costa ship is a further step in the right direction.

If you are looking for a cheap cruise on a more intimate ship, without the formalities of tipping and service charges I don't think you will be let down. If you are searching for the big glitz, white glove service then look elsewhere.

Gezza09

palmera2 wrote: »

I think you should direct your complaint to the travel agent not the tour operator..as i feel the agent has miss sold/mis informed you to gain a sale and comission..It looks as if the ship staff gave you what your agent had reserved

Hi Palmera, complaint lodged on October 25th with First Choice After Travel service which hasn't been acknowledged as yet but theres still time I guess. Quite agree with you that travel agent has mislead us greatly. Initially we were on the Island Escape and switched to Destiny on their recommendation "it's a 4* ship" they told me I wouldn't like the Island Escape since I had cruised with the big boys previously. Just can not figure out why they didn't mention that it was necessary to book a cabin when we paid for the holiday months ago! After discount we paid approx £700 each whilst other passengers paid just £450 for same cabin/deck. I am going to ring them their 0800 number later and see how things are progressing as I am not prepared to le this one go. thanks for getting in touch.

Gezza09

SwissLe wrote: »

Thomson Cruises aren't set out to compete with the likes of RCCI and Carnival brands. They have experienced a massive growth via the ending of most other budget cruise brands in the UK.

In most countries a star rating is based on the level of facilities, not quality or service and doesn't become re-awarded. It also doesn't apply to cruise vessels unless they are talking about Berlitz guide ones and even then a score for each department would be more fitting.

I assume the agent was simply using it as a '4 star equiv.' but it came out incorrectly.

Thomson have a huge following, and get really good reviews on the whole. This obviously wasn't for you. I have seen them grow as a line throughout the years and to be fair they are always trying to improve their offering - the new ex-Costa ship is a further step in the right direction.

If you are looking for a cheap cruise on a more intimate ship, without the formalities of tipping and service charges I don't think you will be let down. If you are searching for the big glitz, white glove service then look elsewhere.

Hi there
I am waiting on my copy of the Berlitz guide as I am told by a friend of a friend that Destiny is rated as 3* whilst we where clearly told it was a 4* "nice big ship" by First choice. We were considering Ocean village 2 as it was in the Med for the dates we wanted and CHEAPER than the Destiny but we were perusaded otherwise. thanks for your comments though.

palmera2

the ship may be a 3* that i do not know ..what i do know is thomson like many tour operators also have a parraell rating system and may class the ship as 4t's.
this is based on facilities and customer satisfaction questionaire results..you know the thing ,food quality ,excellent reasonable poor, tick the box on the flight home..