We are booked on the Dream in late September. There is still two weeks to go before I pay the final balance so I am watching this debate closely.
It would help to know the date of the cruise that kendo123 went on. Was his one of the early cruises that was obviously a nightmare to quite a few or was it a later one and the problems have not yet been sorted?
Derek
Think most of the recent issues are minor niggles, rather than the huge problems that folk obviously experienced earlier.
I'd just say that, at no point, was I led to believe the Dream was a 5* ship - tbh, if it was, I wouldn't have booked it. Don't think that's suitable for a relaxed family holiday. Cruised 3 years ago, on the Island Star (loved that too !) and am confident this one will be good too !!
Dave.
I hope all problems have been sorted and you have a wonderful time, you should be ok.
I agree opinions are just that - opinions But so are standards, people have different standards, what do you expect from a 5* accomadation???
If you notice most of the problems are on certain floors, mine was 5, others are 9.
If you can pre-book your cabin floor.
Was the Dream ever sold as a 5* ship? I wasn't aware of that and have certainly never expected 5* luxury from Thomson's; if I wanted that I'd be looking at some of the other cruise lines (and the cost that goes with them).
I know we are on deck 5 or 6; I'm not sure if that's where the "trouble" has been as I've read so many conflicting reviews.
If you notice most of the problems are on certain floors, mine was 5, others are 9.
If you can pre-book your cabin floor.
Was the Dream ever sold as a 5* ship? I wasn't aware of that and have certainly never expected 5* luxury from Thomson's; if I wanted that I'd be looking at some of the other cruise lines (and the cost that goes with them).
I know we are on deck 5 or 6; I'm not sure if that's where the "trouble" has been as I've read so many conflicting reviews.
Was the Dream ever sold as a 5* ship? I wasn't aware of that and have certainly never expected 5* luxury from Thomson's; if I wanted that I'd be looking at some of the other cruise lines (and the cost that goes with them).
I was given three options and i chose Thomson dream for its New 5 * luxury ship, carnt show any pictures as its not finished yet, i wanted this holiday to be special and spent nearly £3500, is that a good price or expensive??? (2 people 2 weeks)
On my embarkment, i rang my travel agent regarding the problems we were experiencing and she said to me BUT ITS A NEW SHIP.
So i was definitly sold it as a New 5* luxury ship.
I was given three options and i chose Thomson dream for its New 5 * luxury ship, carnt show any pictures as its not finished yet, i wanted this holiday to be special and spent nearly £3500, is that a good price or expensive??? (2 people 2 weeks)
About the same as I'm paying for 1 week, 4 people in August and fairly comparable with previous cruises I've been on. The cost also depends on when you booked, how you booked and where you booked so it's always possible to find someone who has paid more or less than you for the same cruise.
On my embarkment, i rang my travel agent regarding the problems we were experiencing and she said to me BUT ITS A NEW SHIP.
So i was definitly sold it as a New 5* luxury ship.
If the travel agent sold it to you as a new ship I would have a word with him. The Thomson's brochure and website (and this forum) all made it clear that the ship was not new to them.
I'm not doubting that your holiday didn't live up to expectations and there is no excuse for faulty plumbing and smelly toilets but I do find it interesting that people have returned from the Dream with different opinions on the state of the ship.
About the same as I'm paying for 1 week, 4 people in August and fairly comparable with previous cruises I've been on. The cost also depends on when you booked, how you booked and where you booked so it's always possible to find someone who has paid more or less than you for the same cruise.
On my embarkment, i rang my travel agent regarding the problems we were experiencing and she said to me BUT ITS A NEW SHIP.
So i was definitly sold it as a New 5* luxury ship.
If the travel agent sold it to you as a new ship I would have a word with him. The Thomson's brochure and website (and this forum) all made it clear that the ship was not new to them.
I'm not doubting that your holiday didn't live up to expectations and there is no excuse for faulty plumbing and smelly toilets but I do find it interesting that people have returned from the Dream with different opinions on the state of the ship.
http://news.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/Thomson-Cruises-Adds-New-Ship-Thomson-Dream-27741557782.html
This website advertises it as a New, there are others stating, will be Thomson's biggest and most luxurious ship yet.
All cabins onboard, from the super luxury Grand Suites with balconies to the comfortable standard cabins, have been recently renovated. The spacious standard inside and outside cabins have a stylish neutral décor, with a splash of accent colour, while the high end Grand Suites and Suites offer a separate living area, queen size bed and large en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. The Grand Suites also have large balconies for an idyllic sail-away cocktail.
These are advertising words if this is not misleading then i dont no what is......
Although the ship did not hit the luxury statment, there are still the major plumbing problems and sewage smell.
I TRULEY HOPE YOU DO NOT EXPERIANCE ANY OF THAT, BUT DONT KNOCK THOSES WHO HAVE!!!!
This website advertises it as a New, there are others stating, will be Thomson's biggest and most luxurious ship yet.
All cabins onboard, from the super luxury Grand Suites with balconies to the comfortable standard cabins, have been recently renovated. The spacious standard inside and outside cabins have a stylish neutral décor, with a splash of accent colour, while the high end Grand Suites and Suites offer a separate living area, queen size bed and large en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. The Grand Suites also have large balconies for an idyllic sail-away cocktail.
These are advertising words if this is not misleading then i dont no what is......
Although the ship did not hit the luxury statment, there are still the major plumbing problems and sewage smell.
I TRULEY HOPE YOU DO NOT EXPERIANCE ANY OF THAT, BUT DONT KNOCK THOSES WHO HAVE!!!!
[]I was given three options and i chose Thomson dream for its New 5 * luxury ship, carnt show any pictures as its not finished yet, i wanted this holiday to be special and spent nearly £3500, is that a good price or expensive??? (2 people 2 weeks
All Cruise companies try to obtain top dollar, but gradually reduce their prices in line with competition and whether they're receiving enough bookings. £3500 for 2 in April is OK if you have up graded to Deluxe or beyond, otherwise it is expensive.
With Thomsons go to their web site to book. Prices fluctuate and need to be watched, but normally they cannot be beaten.
As to the claims made about the ship, they are inaccurate and if it can be proved I'm sure your local trading standards officer ( Local Council) would be very interested.
I'm sure the Dream will eventually be Thomsons best ship yet, because of it's size in relation to it's passenger ratio, which is far superior to any other Thomsons' ship.
Thanks for that, i booked the Cruise in oct last year, i did price check it with Thomsons website at that time, because the origanal quote was £3778 from Doncaster Airport, but from eastmidlands was £3350, so i changed airports to bring the cost down.
I was on deck 5 on a outside cabin.
The problem is i have Never been on a cruise before and didnt no what to expect price wise, i have since learnt different and will from now on book my own.
If it was'nt for the major plumbing and smell on board then i would not have put a complaint in, as i did enjoy the cruising, although the room was very old and dated it was liveable. the beds are very very comfortable, better than my own
The travel agent have been great upto now, and i do beleive the trading standards have been informed.
I do believe your right regarding the ship, it will be an amazing ship once it has its plumbing issues sorted and had its full refurb.
http://news.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/Th ... 57782.html
This website advertises it as a New, there are others stating, will be Thomson's biggest and most luxurious ship yet.
The very first line of that website states "The 1,500 passenger Costa Europa will sail for Thomson Cruises next year" so I can't see how anyone would think the ship is new. New to Thomson's, yes, but the ship clearly isn't new. And perhaps we shouldn't forget that the ship had an accident just before Thomson's took her over in which three crew members sadly lost their lives. No doubt this contributed to some of the problems the Dream is now experiencing.
I am not knocking your bad experience of the Dream but merely pointing out that others have enjoyed their cruise on the Dream. I sincerely hope that I am in the latter camp!
This website advertises it as a New, there are others stating, will be Thomson's biggest and most luxurious ship yet.
The very first line of that website states "The 1,500 passenger Costa Europa will sail for Thomson Cruises next year" so I can't see how anyone would think the ship is new. New to Thomson's, yes, but the ship clearly isn't new. And perhaps we shouldn't forget that the ship had an accident just before Thomson's took her over in which three crew members sadly lost their lives. No doubt this contributed to some of the problems the Dream is now experiencing.
I am not knocking your bad experience of the Dream but merely pointing out that others have enjoyed their cruise on the Dream. I sincerely hope that I am in the latter camp!
I did not look into what the ship was about, all i new was it was still being updated therfore no photo's available at the time.
It has only come to light since my return as to what the Thomson Dream is all about.
I WILL NOT BOOK ANOTHER CRUISE AGAIN.
I do find this whole situation really sad, i had a bad experiance, thought i'd share it, i dont even think i will do that again.
There are so many argumentative people it rather pathetic.
One thing i will make quite clear, i am not complaining as to weather it was a 3* 4* or 5* it was my flooded cabin. my continous flooded toilet, getting rather fedup searching for a public toilet that worked and the dreaded smell through out my two week stay.
Hope you have a better experiance than me.
contacted thomson customer care 21/6/10 ref problems as per previous reviews and asked could we expect this till the refurb as i was thinking of changing my booking replied 22/6/10 as follows> we appreciate your concerns regarding forth coming holiday with us however we can confirm that the technical fault on board has now been resolved . this was causing an unpleasant smell in some areas and has been corrected and the smell is no longer affecting our passengers. we are confident that our food and service is up to normal thomson standards we have resolved the problems that were occurring on board and recent reports from our team on board confirm that the mood on board is positive and the majority of passengers appear to be enjoying their cruise. I hope this helps anyone ready to board and look forward to their positive comments .
If there is anyone out there who has had a bad experience on the Dream from Wales contact BBC X-Ray they are running a feature....
Just interested in hearing what offers/apologies/compo have been offered to other cruisers.
Cheers
I have not heard nothing from Thomson at all !!!! We travelled on 18th May - 1st June 2010. BBC X-Ray consumer programme will be featured on Monday the 10.45 They have been in touch with Thomson and they have not heard anything !!!!!!! So we are using a solicitor and are claiming as a collective of passengers who were on the 2nd week of the cruise. The solicitor's are confident they will get back 100 - 150% otherwise the compenstaion that has been paid so far is between £100 - 250 per couple and sometimes in vouchers for more Thomson holidays OUCH!
You must have been the cruise following me, (11-18th may) there were a hell of a lot of very disgrunteld passengers, but no one as far as I know got a collective together.
Can you send me the name/address of the solicitors acting for yourselves,
Thanks
No problem it is:
have set my Sky+ for the programme (it's on BBC wales) and will watch with interest.
I phoned Thomson's on monday to see what was happening with my complaint, but was informed that the girl dealing with it was off until thurs, and that they would get her to phone me thurs pm 1 july, I wait with baited breath.
-
Edited by
edinmanc
2010-07-01 16:10:27
Good luck with that did they say which Thursday, which month or WHICH YEAR ????!!!! it sounds like there is only 2 people in the office they must be kept very busy in the Thomson complaints department....
This was supposed to be a special cruise for me and my girlfriend, (which I treated her too!) and also our first cruise but unfortunately it was very much spoilt by the state of the ship and it's crew.
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