Island Escape Cruises/Thomson Cruises WARNING

DuckSaysMOO

:mad:
Booked a cruise last year and paid in full throughout the year. We were told that the ship had been sold off for scrap and another ship was available or money back. So we lost £200+ deposit but got the rest back(not sure how much.)

However, we booked another cruise at the start of this year with Island Escape to go on a Colourful Coast cruise(£2000+ for four.). It was paid in full throughout the year and started to get excited to finally be going on hols!:D
Soon after the last payment was made, a call was received asking to call the holiday agent urgently.
The reason was that the ship, Island Escape, had been dry docked(?) and needed repairing, but, we would be going on another 'better' ship, akin to a four star hotel, apparently! Sounds good, eh?

We didn't confirm that we'd agree to stay on the holiday, just to call back and say yes/no. Yesterday I decided to have a research of the 'new' ship, Thomson Spirit...What can I say? Butlins on sea is a little understated, no way like a 4* hotel. Dirty, dated and grotty comes to mind. I don't like to judge before trying, but there was no way I'd let anyone waste that sort of money for what we saw. It was more let Benidorm.(I don't wish to offend anybody by mentioning Butlins/Benidorm in the same breath as 'dirty, dated and grotty.' Butlins holds some great childhood memories ) Having shown my mum, her words were, 'I'm waiting for the cockcroaches.' Thomson Spirit had not a SCRATCH on Island Escape, it was fantastic.

The original price pp was around £999, down to £599, all inc on top of that. Mum decided to call the holiday agent and tell her we refused the holiday and to offer and alternative or refund. The cheeky get said 'There is no alternative and there is no refund.' !!!
Called Trading Standards who said that was wrong and that a refund SHOULD have been available.

Ruined what should have been an amazing first time cruising, TWICE. Do not go near them!

Sorry about the shouting, I'm annoyed!:p

Danlaur

I was due ot go on Island Cruise ship and same scenario,... now going on Spirit in two weeks....

The reviews Ive read seem to differ from yours....

http://www.holidaywatchdog.com/3190-Thomson_Spirit-Thomson_Spirit_Cruise_Ship-Holiday-Review.html

for example... show it to be much better than Island Cruises...

Where did you find this info suggesting it to be so bad please ?

Regards
Danlaur

pinkfluffybabe

The Spirit is light years ahead of the Island Escape with regards to food, entertainment, atmosphere and cleanliness by the way.

Maybe best to not judge so much from a few internet reviews!

butler_helen

Regardless of condition of ship, could/should the op be entitled to a refund? Afterall if the op had booked butlins and was offered first class cruising I bet Thomson would be hinting to take the refund!