We have been on 4 Thomson cruises and loved them all, but now feel we are ready for a change of ship, also the prices for Thomson/Ocean Village are still very high for May/June.
Which cruise company would you recommend for a week around either the Med or Greek Isles in place of Thomsons? We like the informality of Thomsons, dont want to attend formal dinners at night etc. Also my husband is quite a fussy eater so a good quality buffet would be important.
Quite honestly some of the newer boats look quite intimidating, we felt the Thomson Spirit was a nice size for us, it seemed like a proper boat rather than a floating hotel, although I realise it is quite an old boat and a bit shabby in some respects. I really dont want one of these huge things that hold over 3000 passengers!
Basically, I need to know what you experienced cruisers would consider is a step up from Thomsons please?
Some of the other cruise lines have smaller ship in their fleets not many in the med though.
For casual NCL is your best bet lots of food choices, Jewel class Gem,Jade are good size both doing Med.
RCI is good choice they have Legend doing the med, one of their smaller ships.
Princess are another worth looking at but some a monster ships
Celebrity is probably going to far if you prefer the casual end of the market good food.
You could try the Jade in May from southampton on the 5n irish escape for £330 to see if NCL fits.
If you liked Thomson AI then cruiseclubuk are doing AI on that trip.
For casual NCL is your best bet lots of food choices, Jewel class Gem,Jade are good size both doing Med.
RCI is good choice they have Legend doing the med, one of their smaller ships.
Princess are another worth looking at but some a monster ships
Celebrity is probably going to far if you prefer the casual end of the market good food.
You could try the Jade in May from southampton on the 5n irish escape for £330 to see if NCL fits.
If you liked Thomson AI then cruiseclubuk are doing AI on that trip.
Perhaps the Costa cruise line?
They have some smaller ships doing the Med....although be prepared to be in a very small minority of brits, if thats a consideration for you...mainly Italian and Spanish etc on this line!
They have some smaller ships doing the Med....although be prepared to be in a very small minority of brits, if thats a consideration for you...mainly Italian and Spanish etc on this line!
I love Thomson cruise ships and all they have to offer. However I have gone for a complete change and am trying RCI Independnace Of The Seas this Summer!
My main reason being, there will be more for our sons age 16 and 14 to do onboard.
My main reason being, there will be more for our sons age 16 and 14 to do onboard.
Hi sunseeker you must let me know how you get on. I have only cruised with Thomson (thoroughly enjoyed it) but have booked also on Independence of the seas for summer 2010 med treasures. Have a great time - Trish
Will do Wilson 
. We really wanted the Christmas cruise onboard the Ind Of seas, but have opted for the Oriana (P & O) with other family.
So to experience the RCI ship we opted for the taster cruise to Ireland in August, that way we can enjoy the best of both worlds
. We really wanted the Christmas cruise onboard the Ind Of seas, but have opted for the Oriana (P & O) with other family.So to experience the RCI ship we opted for the taster cruise to Ireland in August, that way we can enjoy the best of both worlds
Thanks for all your help - I now have a better idea of direction I should be looking.
We would have loved the NCL taster cruise but unfortunately dog sitting that week as my sister is on holiday then.
We would have loved the NCL taster cruise but unfortunately dog sitting that week as my sister is on holiday then.
Must admit I'll be interested to see how you find it 
We've just got back from Thomson cruise No4 and thought it might be our last
but while we where out there we chatted to as many of the other passengers as poss especially ones who had done other cruises (apologies to those we did, you'll know who we are) but from all the folks we spoke to, and I recon it was at least 30 people who had cruised before they ALL bar one said Thompson is by far the best and best the value.
So while we thought we may try another company I really dont think we will, we've still got to try out their 3 other ships as we've only done Spirit and Celeb so far.
Already looking at getting a deal on cruise No 5
Fur
We've just got back from Thomson cruise No4 and thought it might be our last
but while we where out there we chatted to as many of the other passengers as poss especially ones who had done other cruises (apologies to those we did, you'll know who we are) but from all the folks we spoke to, and I recon it was at least 30 people who had cruised before they ALL bar one said Thompson is by far the best and best the value. So while we thought we may try another company I really dont think we will, we've still got to try out their 3 other ships as we've only done Spirit and Celeb so far.
Already looking at getting a deal on cruise No 5
Fur
When we check we find thomson always seem to be a bit pricy what sort of money did yoi pay?
Yes Thomson cruises seem to really hold their prices don't they - compared with some of the bigger, newer ships anyway.
After all I said in my original post about wanting to try another ship I find I am once again looking at Thomsons...... their itineraries always seem good and they always tweak their cruise routes slightly so you very rarely do exactly the same one twice, very clever of them.
Pricewise I am checking their May cruises for a last minute (Adriatic Explorer if poss) but nothing dropping yet. Does anyone have any inside info on whether there will be any last minute Thomson bargains? - I was watching one cruise the other week and price has risen from £719 to £749 so I got thwarted there.
Has anyone else noticed there hasnt been any promotional codes for cruises lately either from TUI?
Their loyal customers must be sticking with them.
After all I said in my original post about wanting to try another ship I find I am once again looking at Thomsons...... their itineraries always seem good and they always tweak their cruise routes slightly so you very rarely do exactly the same one twice, very clever of them.
Pricewise I am checking their May cruises for a last minute (Adriatic Explorer if poss) but nothing dropping yet. Does anyone have any inside info on whether there will be any last minute Thomson bargains? - I was watching one cruise the other week and price has risen from £719 to £749 so I got thwarted there.
Has anyone else noticed there hasnt been any promotional codes for cruises lately either from TUI?
Their loyal customers must be sticking with them.
We paid £459 each, a week before it was £439 and we hoped it was going to go lower but then at the last mo it popped up £20 each so we booked.
We saw the Tenerife one for £399 but couldnt take it as we hadnt got confirmed holiday dates
Cant say I've seen anything else for that sort of money ?? or have I missed something ?
Furbag
We saw the Tenerife one for £399
but couldnt take it as we hadnt got confirmed holiday datesCant say I've seen anything else for that sort of money ?? or have I missed something ?
Furbag
Now that Island have sold out to Thomson lower prices with the package cruiselines will be confined to history. Island often reduced their prices and, to a degree, kept both Thomson and OV reasonably "sharp".
Having cruised (and enjoyed) with Thomson and Island previously, I repeat again, we have had much better value with other cruiselines on much newer ships, and if you are flexible enough such value remains if you care to look around!
Having cruised (and enjoyed) with Thomson and Island previously, I repeat again, we have had much better value with other cruiselines on much newer ships, and if you are flexible enough such value remains if you care to look around!
At under £500 inc flights and tips it is in the good price range,
Most Thomson adds seem to be over £500 ATM
Not everything is available all dates so that can limit choice of lines at certain times.
With P&O putting out 14n for £800 for some that is better value but not to everyone cruise style/dates
Others close to the £50pppn bargain rate.
NCL baltics 12n £650
Celebrity Century £499
Most Thomson adds seem to be over £500 ATM
Not everything is available all dates so that can limit choice of lines at certain times.
With P&O putting out 14n for £800 for some that is better value but not to everyone cruise style/dates
Others close to the £50pppn bargain rate.
NCL baltics 12n £650
Celebrity Century £499
Something that will affect all cruise prices in the Med area is the poor Euro exchange rate, which will impact significantly on costs, especially those based in the Med i.e. Thomson/OV in Palma; NCL from Barcelona etc.
Currently seeing the Celebration heading back for the summer med cruises doing the 11 night cruise @ £499
Thats a fair deal all in for 11 nights I recon, shame would have taken that one instead of the last one the other week, but then it was £650 +
Furbag
Thats a fair deal all in for 11 nights I recon, shame would have taken that one instead of the last one the other week, but then it was £650 +
Furbag
Must admit, we also spoke to many passengers on both our Thomson cruises, and they also stated that after using many other cruise liners, always returned to Thomson!
I have yet to comment, watch this space!
I have yet to comment, watch this space!
Furbag wrote:Currently seeing the Celebration heading back for the summer med cruises doing the 11 night cruise @ £499
Thats a fair deal all in for 11 nights I recon, shame would have taken that one instead of the last one the other week, but then it was £650 +
Furbag
Not seeing that on TXT just the 13n at £629.
When you find the good ones stick them on the deals thread
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=101339
Only got it direct off the Thomson site so its not really a "deal" as such.
Their own prices do seem to bounce about almost daily. We've only ever booked (apart from the very first time) direct via their own site as its always given us the best price, when ever we've looked about trying to find it better its always been more expensive so have stuck dealing direct.
Furbag
Their own prices do seem to bounce about almost daily. We've only ever booked (apart from the very first time) direct via their own site as its always given us the best price, when ever we've looked about trying to find it better its always been more expensive so have stuck dealing direct.
Furbag
Still counts if it is a cheap offer even if direct,
NCL rock bottom deals are the same direct when they happen.
Anything under or close to £50pppd is worth a post especialy if it includes flights.
We can't check everywhere so if you are watching Thomson that is really usefull.
Nothing wrong with the product, done 2 on Topaz, just need the deals.
NCL rock bottom deals are the same direct when they happen.
Anything under or close to £50pppd is worth a post especialy if it includes flights.
We can't check everywhere so if you are watching Thomson that is really usefull.
Nothing wrong with the product, done 2 on Topaz, just need the deals.
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