Thomson Cruise

bargain_2

Has anyone been on a Thomson Cruise or know what they are like. Thinking of going October.

pinkfluffybabe

They are good value for money and a good way of seeing a few different places on the one holiday. The trips are expensive and you can get about far cheaper on your own but the food is very good (unlimited) and you will never get bored.

What ship and itinerary are you looking at?

dianasnan

Been on Thomson Spirit and had a great time.Food very good but not gourmet which suited us. Cabins a bit noisier than a modern ship but fine.Not quite enough sunbeds to go round. Has a cinema.

If you can get a last minute deal absolutely excellent value for money.

bargain_2

Thinking of Thomson Spirit Mediterranean renaissance, maybe deluxe or suite. Thanks for your replys.

pinkfluffybabe

bargain wrote: »

Thinking of Thomson Spirit Mediterranean renaissance, maybe deluxe or suite. Thanks for your replys.

I did that trip earlier this year. I had an outside cabin on deck one so can't tell you anything about the cabins you are suggesting, but certainly our cabin was roomy and very clean, so I imagine Deluxe and Suite will be bigger and better. Your room is serviced twice a day, and the evening service involves turning your bed down and putting a chocolate on your pillow.

The Spirit is a nice ship, you have a choice of a served restaurant or a buffet plus an outdoor buffet and an a la carte restaurant which you have to pay extra for.

Mediterranean Renaissance is a good itinerary, the day at sea is rather choppy though. The day trips to Rome are very expensive, and the station is near where the ship docks, so you can go your own way cheaper if you aren't fussed about spending lots of money on trips. Pisa is very touristy, and the walk to the leaning tower from where the bus drops you is through a market and about 1m 'looky looky men'.

Do you have any specific questions? Happy to answer if you do. I've booked up for next year on the Jewels of the Med on the Spirit again. I'm hooked

jonnyjackov

Thank you Pinkfluffybabe, that info is very useful.

My mum and dad, and their two friends (All around the age of 60), have asked me (because they keep hearing about all the cheap holidays I get with the help of this site),to look for a cruise for them around the med, and I didn't know where to start as I know nothing about cruising The description you gave sounds ideal for them to be honest, do people around their age do this cruise?

Also any ideas where to look for any cheap deals, I'm pretty sure they could leave it till the last minute if they thought they could get a good deal.

Thanks for taking the time to help. John

pinkfluffybabe

There is a real mix of ages on the cruise so yes it would be fine.

The day trips information in advance tells you about the level of walking in any place should that be an issue.

I booked direct through the Thomson Cruise website, I got a free all inclusive upgrade and i found a £100 off code online. Have never booked at last minute, but the Thomson site, SkyTravel and many travel agents do last minute deals. It is just a case of looking around and grabbing your opportunity. Maybe some of the travel sites you use do cruises?

It seems that you are more likely to get a cabin upgrade free the later you book, whereas early bookings get all inclusive free.

MrSmartprice

We did the Colourful Coasts cruise on the Spirit a couple of years ago. We got the free AI upgrade and a good discount too. It was excellent value for money. If you can't get AI for free, try for half price. (Opting for it when you get on board is even more than the full price when booking.)

The trips are where they try to make money, but we didn't bother. We made our own way around on the Canaries and Madiera, and we stayed on the ship at Agadir. A wise decision if others were to be believed, as it was a dump.

The food may not be 'gourmet' but it is very acceptable, there's plenty to choose from, and the service is excellent. Thomson cater for a market and do it pretty well for the money. I wouldn't want to cruise every holiday, but some do. We met people who had done up to 35 cruises.

jonnyjackov

Thank you both for all the info.

IvanOpinion

jonnyjackov wrote: »

Thank you Pinkfluffybabe, that info is very useful.

My mum and dad, and their two friends (All around the age of 60), have asked me (because they keep hearing about all the cheap holidays I get with the help of this site),to look for a cruise for them around the med, and I didn't know where to start as I know nothing about cruising The description you gave sounds ideal for them to be honest, do people around their age do this cruise?

Also any ideas where to look for any cheap deals, I'm pretty sure they could leave it till the last minute if they thought they could get a good deal.

Thanks for taking the time to help. John

For best prices, try contacting a few different online travel agents such as Bolsover, CruiseKings, GillsCruises etc. (these are simply names that come to mind and not recommendations). The best deals are generally to be had by booking 18 months in advance or at the last minute .. the problem with last minute is you have to take what is left. We actually use a local High Street travel agent, but always shop around for best price. However be aware of some of the very cheap deals in April/May and Oct/Nov ... you may be disappointed with the weather.

You may also be able to get some 'room credit' thrown in as a sweetner.

We love cruising but have never done Thomson, however also consider the likes of P&O, Princess, Celebrity, HAL or even Royal Caribbean (more family, but their ships are incredible). The likes of Ocean Village (less formal) and Carnival (Las Vegas glitzy) are a bit more of a party atmosphere and may or may not suit your folks.

One other tip I can give you on price is check out the HolidayTruths board and keep an eye on a poster called WindJammer .. she regularly posts great deals (just don't tell her I sent you because she would only recognise me under a totally different user name ).

Ivan

jonnyjackov

Thank you for the advice Ivanopinion.

Just chatted with them, now they want a two week med cruise departing anywhere in the uk, around sept 08, with no flying. They are not bothered which ship or operator, so I will look around as you suggest.

Thanks again.