Thomson Destiny Cruise just awful!

Gezza09

sblubb wrote: »

I read these forums, but don't like to post.

However, Gezza09, is a perfect example of someone who basically has no real evidence of wrong-doing.

1) Some passengers got better deals on the same deck because they booked late, end of story. You can't complain about that, because that's life. Sometimes last minute deals are cheaper, sometimes more expensive, depending on demand and other factors.

2) Drinks watered down based on the ridiculous argument. No where do you mention taste, or other passengers' opinions: "I felt not drunk after seven!" On a cruise you are generally relatively static, and with the amount of calories you in take when compared to calorie expenditure, I'm not surprised you didn't feel drunk. 'Feeling' is not really enough, come on now.

3) Due to your inexperience with this type of cruise with this company, and lack of research, in combination with a malicious or stupid travel-agent, you weren't entirely happy.

None of the matters you have mentioned show any shady practices, except the fact that your travel-agent did perhaps con you. However, missing out bits of important information isn't a con, and you will not get any money back from First. You will likely just get an apology.

Take it as a lesson. It's all you can do in this case. I'm pretty sure most people reading your posts would realise you're letting personal opinion get in the way of objectivity, which I see so often on these forums.

Isn't everything based on opinions on these forums. That is why we 'discuss' and offer honest opinions and ideas to other users if you find it somewhat irritating to read then don't particpate. Simple.

In response to your points 1) In previous posts I have mentioned that those passengers who got a better deal for last minute for same deck should be patted on the back. Fair play to them honestly! (even though they were complaining about their cabin) how is that a criticism is it??
2) There is only so much you want to say at first when you initially post but I completely stand by my argument that our so called alcoholic cocktails tasted like fruit juice with a 'hint' of something. Others in our party who do not drink shared same point of view. A cocktail containing 3 measures of alcohol plus a juice x 7 would make any average body weight person feel very drunk. Half a bottle of wine made me more intoxicated at dinner than several cocktails. Work it out yourself what is going on. We weren't the only passengers to discuss this and I'm sure not the last.

3) our travel agent has a cruise expert as advertised on our local station. They describe the holiday as 4*, you rely upon that information being accurate, you act upon that information by booking the holiday only to discover that is not as sold.

My main objective was to inform others of this experience and be aware that it is not a 4* ship especially when you have cruised before with the big players. I understand the official Berlitz cruise guide categorises this ship as 3*. I await my copy in the post.

Gezza09

palmera2 wrote: »

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..

According to the Berlitz Official cruise guide I am told it is listed as a 3*. I have ordered a copy so wait and see for sure. We received a questionnaire the night before final disembarkation. This was completed by all of us with high scores given to Sea Seven Restaurant and those singing waiters!

Short_Seller

Gezza09 wrote: »

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??????

You've hit the nail on the head......

Thomson & First Choice are part of the same TUI company....

Unfortunately you went into a TUI shop thinking of booking with a rival company Carnival in this case. (ocean village is a subsidiary). Carnival has a better trading relationship with Thomas cook.

The TUI(First choice/Thomson) shop agents get less far commission on rival bookings. They're on better Commission + target bonus for "in house" bookings ( "Thomson cruises" in this case).....

They did their jobs & sold you their in house cruise product. Rated as 4T product in house. (forget any other ratings read Tour operator ratings in the small print!)

If you had gone to a Thomas cook outlet, their commissions are better with Carnival bookings. So you'd most likely been on the OV cruise.

Its a classic case of, people need to do their own research rather than relying on in house sales agents.

Gezza09

Short_Seller wrote: »

You've hit the nail on the head......

Thomson & First Choice are part of the same TUI company....

Unfortunately you went into a TUI shop thinking of booking with a rival company Carnival in this case. (ocean village is a subsidiary). Carnival has a better trading relationship with Thomas cook.

The TUI(First choice/Thomson) shop agents get less far commission on rival bookings. They're on better Commission + target bonus for "in house" bookings ( "Thomson cruises" in this case).....

They did their jobs & sold you their in house cruise product. Rated as 4T product in house. (forget any other ratings read Tour operator ratings in the small print!)

If you had gone to a Thomas cook outlet, their commissions are better with Carnival bookings. So you'd most likely been on the OV cruise.

Its a classic case of, people need to do their own research rather than relying on in house sales agents.

Shop was recommended to us and they were also advertising on our local radio station that they had an instore cruise expert. So we fancied using their expertise rather than trawling thru Expedia and numerous numerous cruise websites. It was January when we booked this as we where told the earlier you book the better the upgrades and deal. We had no benefits/deal offered to us at all. As you can tell, I am appalled with the service and inaccurate info they gave us. Upon reflection, it was all quite misleading actually. I have lodged a complaint with them, for what it is worth, yet to be acknowledged from 2wks ago. Thanks for your comments!