Topic: Thomson Majesty (My thoughts)

I wish I could get my head around the praise heaped on Thomson, as many of my friends and acquaintances give them such glowing reports of food, service and entertainment.

Looking at their itineraries I do get tempted to take the plunge but my scepticism about the age and quality of these ships is constantly thrown into question.

Here is a portion of the latest review posted on Majesty which I have not edited, just copied en block.


Now for the down side THE SHIP
Vibration Vibration VIBRATION it was terrible

On first impressions it was shabby with threadbare stained carpet in places, bland walls without art work or any glamour or anything to make areas feel luxurious, some floors had a musty damp smell and many seating areas felt like they were in a corridor.

we had an outside plus on deck 4 cabin 439 it was large enough for 2 people but wouldnt be great for 3 people. plenty of wardrobe space , hangers and drawers although again all shabby and these didnt open very well. the cabin hadnt been cleaned properly we found babies nappies in a cupboard and reciepts and clothes tags in the wardrobe the sheets were stained and not changed all week the pillows as flat as pancakes and the towels grey but changed every day if you wished. we did get towel animals and a chocolate on our pillow at night that was a nice touch .
the hairdryer was in the bathroom and like those you got in leisure centres in the 1970's it got too hot and burnt your hand but wearing a sock on your hand when using it did the trick (I KID NOT) the cabit was mostly quiet with a little vibration on 2 nights but miusic in the corridor stopped any afternoon napping .
I would reccomend booking a cabin as some passengers hadnt slept all week due to the location .

if you got to the front of the queue for the restaurants the food in the dining room was poor for vegetarians just 1 option for starter and main !!! not much choice for anyone else either. the tables are too close together and there are plate scraping stations dotted around so you sit looking at dirty plates and cutlery all night.

buffet on deck 10 was cold to warm with no trays and a poor layout.

When I read reports such as this I do wonder if their loyal fans need to remove their rose coloured spectacles.........Wilba

Wilba,

You could say we are indeed seasoned cruisers having been doing so since the 80's, tried most of the lines at one stage, loved most of them, which includes five Thomson cruises. They are different thats all, we enjoyed every one including the clapped out old Topaz, whic was perhaps the best and most enjoyable cruise we have done.

No we don't expect the 5* we get on other lines and indeed the ships could usually do with a good makeover, but you would be hard pressed to find any ships more friendly.

QUOTE:

Wilba,

You could say we are indeed seasoned cruisers having been doing so since the 80's, tried most of the lines at one stage, loved most of them, which includes five Thomson cruises. They are different thats all, we enjoyed every one including the clapped out old Topaz, whic was perhaps the best and most enjoyable cruise we have done.

No we don't expect the 5* we get on other lines and indeed the ships could usually do with a good makeover, but you would be hard pressed to find any ships more friendly.

Hi Tenpin,

I keep reading 'more friendly' by many contributors, but what I couldn't cope with is......... VIBRATION it was terrible............
threadbare stained carpet......... musty damp smell ........shabby.......nappies in a cupboard and reciepts and clothes tags in the wardrobe the sheets were stained and not changed all week.......... towels grey..........passengers hadnt slept all week due to the location ........plate scraping stations dotted around so you sit looking at dirty plates and cutlery all night.

With reports like this I would need for them to pay me for cruising with them.

QUOTE:

Hi Tenpin,

I keep reading 'more friendly' by many contributors, but what I couldn't cope with is......... VIBRATION it was terrible............
threadbare stained carpet......... musty damp smell ........shabby.......nappies in a cupboard and reciepts and clothes tags in the wardrobe the sheets were stained and not changed all week.......... towels grey..........passengers hadnt slept all week due to the location ........plate scraping stations dotted around so you sit looking at dirty plates and cutlery all night.

With reports like this I would need for them to pay me for cruising with them.

some hyperbole involed here I believe. I have cruised on Thomson and P&O and although P&O have much newer hardware. I have seen stained threadbare carpets, dirty windows, sewage smell, stuff left by previous cabin occupants, Vibration in Ventura Metropolis bar wiose than Horizons on Thomson. Cabin rattled when bow thrusters on. Plate scraping stations dotted around the resturants. Pretty much the same stuff and none of it stopped me enjoying my holiday.

Plus points for Thomson are for me, friendly crews and a better atmosphere than P&O. Minus points lack of free safes, fridges in cabins, free tea/coffee in cabin, free biscuits and sweets. Thomson prices are a concern as well. next summer I am cruising the Baltic on P&O Arcadia because harware wise she is in a different league to Spirit and the daily cost was only a few pounds more. Well worth it for a nice quiet cabin.

QUOTE:

I wish I could get my head around the praise heaped on Thomson, as many of my friends and acquaintances give them such glowing reports of food, service and entertainment.

Looking at their itineraries I do get tempted to take the plunge but my scepticism about the age and quality of these ships is constantly thrown into question.

Here is a portion of the latest review posted on Majesty which I have not edited, just copied en block.


Now for the down side THE SHIP
Vibration Vibration VIBRATION it was terrible

On first impressions it was shabby with threadbare stained carpet in places, bland walls without art work or any glamour or anything to make areas feel luxurious, some floors had a musty damp smell and many seating areas felt like they were in a corridor.

we had an outside plus on deck 4 cabin 439 it was large enough for 2 people but wouldnt be great for 3 people. plenty of wardrobe space , hangers and drawers although again all shabby and these didnt open very well. the cabin hadnt been cleaned properly we found babies nappies in a cupboard and reciepts and clothes tags in the wardrobe the sheets were stained and not changed all week the pillows as flat as pancakes and the towels grey but changed every day if you wished. we did get towel animals and a chocolate on our pillow at night that was a nice touch .
the hairdryer was in the bathroom and like those you got in leisure centres in the 1970's it got too hot and burnt your hand but wearing a sock on your hand when using it did the trick (I KID NOT) the cabit was mostly quiet with a little vibration on 2 nights but miusic in the corridor stopped any afternoon napping .
I would reccomend booking a cabin as some passengers hadnt slept all week due to the location .

if you got to the front of the queue for the restaurants the food in the dining room was poor for vegetarians just 1 option for starter and main !!! not much choice for anyone else either. the tables are too close together and there are plate scraping stations dotted around so you sit looking at dirty plates and cutlery all night.

buffet on deck 10 was cold to warm with no trays and a poor layout.

When I read reports such as this I do wonder if their loyal fans need to remove their rose coloured spectacles.........Wilba

Hello Wilba

If a modern ship is an important factor for you, I would highly recommend MSC's newer ships. Don't just take my word for it,lots of positive comments about the spectacular interiors over on the review section. Eddie

QUOTE:

Hello Wilba

If a modern ship is an important factor for you, I would highly recommend MSC's newer ships. Don't just take my word for it,lots of positive comments about the spectacular interiors over on the review section. Eddie

Thanks but No Thanks Eddie.

I agree their new ships are lovely but it all ends there for me.

Having given them a second bite of the cherry, I couldn't believe cruising could be so chaotic the first time, so I gave them the benefit of the doubt, I'm afraid I fall in line with most reviewers...........Never Again!!!!

QUOTE:

Thanks but No Thanks Eddie.

I agree their new ships are lovely but it all ends there for me.

Having given them a second bite of the cherry, I couldn't believe cruising could be so chaotic the first time, so I gave them the benefit of the doubt, I'm afraid I fall in line with most reviewers...........Never Again!!!!

Well if the onboard atmosphere is more important give Thomson a go. Eddie

QUOTE:

Well if the onboard atmosphere is more important give Thomson a go. Eddie

Not Bloody Likely!...........Yet another scathing review has appeared in the last hour on the Review site of their 'New' Superliner.

The review everyone is commenting on is mine , this was a cruise I had saved all year for and cost over £1000 and it was to celebrate my 40th Birthday. The review is actually quite tame I could have listed more faults ,I have been so disappointed with the onboard ship experience it has put me off Thomson .I am not a seasoned cruiser but I know what standards I expect and Majesty fell far below I cannot believe some of the reviews that give raving reports its like we were on a different ship or they have low expectations. yes the staff are fantastically cheerful but this is not enough . People wouldnt put up with a hotel that bad so why a ship?

QUOTE:

The review everyone is commenting on is mine , this was a cruise I had saved all year for and cost over £1000 and it was to celebrate my 40th Birthday. The review is actually quite tame I could have listed more faults ,I have been so disappointed with the onboard ship experience it has put me off Thomson .I am not a seasoned cruiser but I know what standards I expect and Majesty fell far below I cannot believe some of the reviews that give raving reports its like we were on a different ship or they have low expectations. yes the staff are fantastically cheerful but this is not enough . People wouldnt put up with a hotel that bad so why a ship?

One of the problems with cruising is that some people will only use a particular cruise line and have little or no experience outside of that line. Try denigrating "their" beloved cruise line and the abuse that comes back is unbelievable.

I am sorry that you did not enjoy the experience. ....Neil