Topic: Thomson Cruises director admits need to modernise fleet

QUOTE:

Leslie posted
saw a Tui ship (could not see name); very modern, lots of balconies, all announcements being made in German. On that comparison I think they definitely need to modernise the fleet!

Hi Del Boy,

TUI have two ships exclusively aimed at the German Market 'Mein Schiff' (My Ship) 1 & 2. These are ex-Celebrity 'Mercury' and 'Galaxy' (the latter being Jane McDonald's ship, if you get my meaning).

I think your image is 'Mein Schiff 1', although both ships are almost identical being around 78,000 tons and built as sisters in 1996 and 1997.




Celebrity considered them a little outdated, so sold them,but after all Celebrity offer a 'Premium' product and embarked on an ambitious newbuild programme. However compare to Thomson Spirit (1983) and Celebration (1984) they are modern!

I think everybody agrees that Thomson's ships are 'well worn'. It's not the age of the ship that is the problem, it's the fact that they charter them and seem reluctant to ever pay for a complete refit. There are older ship afloat, like Marco Polo and Olsen's fleet, all of which are a lot less jaded!

However Thomson need to be careful. The relatively small size of there ships generate the friendliness and intimacy that their clients love. Newer ships would almost certainly be bigger ships. I also assume that Thomson's sometimes low fares are in part a result of not spending a lot of money on the internal aesthetics of their ships?

They need to be careful not to throw the baby away with the bath water!

As reported on the other forum. Pacific Sun has been sold to a unknown buyer, delivery in summer 2013

speculate
speculate

QUOTE:

As reported on the other forum. Pacific Sun has been sold to a unknown buyer, delivery in summer 2013

speculate
speculate

Hi Dave
From news.com.au
The ship is believed to have been bought by a Chinese company, which is likely to launch new cruises out of China towards the end of next year.



Read more: Sale away: Pacific Sun cruise ship to leave Australia | News.com.au
JC

I wonder where Thoson are going to get their new ships from. Of course the alternative is to refurbish the existing fleet but with the ships on charter they are unlikely to do that. Even if they refit Spirit and Celebration the 'wobble' will remain as apparently to fix it woud cost more than the ships worth. Destiny's Lido buffet has proved itself unsuitable for the Canaries itineries as well.

As refugees from the late lamented Ocean Village, we have just tried a Thomson Canaries cruise, with an add on week in Madeira. We were generally pleasantly surprised, though Ocean Village so exactly matched our requirements, they were a hard act to follow.
Destiny is a small, old, ship and although this shows in some areas, it comes close to our Ideal. We were not so keen on the add ons, so took pot luck with seat selection on the flight and cabin and in both, we could not have done better. We had a slight problem with flight ckeck in as Thomson seemed to think cabin allowance was 5Kg, until we produce our brochure that indicated 7Kg They took photo copies and distributed them to the check in desks!).Our outside cabin on deck 3 was small, but quiet, clean and comfortable. We missed the Tea making facilities and the 110Volts, meant we needed different chargers for phones and cameras (Obtained from Amazon for £4 in total). The safe, which should be standard for the protection of guests and crew, was £15 a week (Free in the hotel). We missed the Laundrette and Ironing facilities, especially as we had to squeeze in formal clothes for the Captains party and "Gala" dinner, all for just 2 hours use ! We did enjoy the 7 seas restaurant for dinner, with good , but not exceptional food and friendly service. We would have to have used the Lido buffet for breakfast and lunch, but it was often cold and draughty, so many were eating in winter clothes or with blankets round them. This may be OK in Mediterranean summer, or in the Caribbean, but for winter cruising it really needs doors. We were able to retreat to the 7 seas restaurant, but even the buffet option required too much waiter assistance. The buffet food was disappointing in choice, quality and presentation. We were spoiled by the superb buffets on Ocean Village. It was good to be able to get tea, coffee and snacks at all hours, but as with most cruises the wines and soft drinks seemed expensive. This did not concern us too much, but when we tried to get a bottled water package, this only appeared to come with wine packages. Fortunately, we were able to replenish our supplies ashore at much lower prices. Unlike Ocean Village there were no baggage checks for Alcohol, when returning aboard.
Hygiene and general cleanliness were good, although the ship did show its age with some tatty vanished decks (Slippy when wet) and rather a lot of stairs to negotiate, even to reach the Lido. Like Ocean Village, gratuities are included in the advertised prices and although most people would leave some additional tips, there was no pressure. Like Ocean Village the service was always excellent and the staff friendly and helpful. The principal entertainment, the evening show in the Can Can lounge, was superb. The singing, dancing, music and costumes where quite exceptional and would stand comparison with best in the West End.
Ocean Village suited us better, but alas it has gone. Superb buffets, one themed - Asian, European and one mainly English, always hot and fresh with hot freshly baked rolls and croisants for breakfasts. Two optional speciality restaurants all dining smart casual, no suit or DJ needed. Cabins small but adequate, with tea making, safe and 220 Volt facilities all included. Also no extra charge for allocating cabin in advance and able to change if required. The Captain and crew always around checking and approachable. Destiny's Captain only appeared on Gala night, with a long queue to shake hands, or photo. (we didn't bother).
Some Thomson sips may meet our requirements more closely and we probably give them another try. However, we live in hope that P&O will revive the Ocean Village formulae on one of their smaller ships and provide cruises "for people who don't do cruises".
Our add on week in Madeira at the Savoy Gardens Hotel was excellent value.
One final point, bearing in mind the Concordia incident, we surprised at the lack of safety procedures when we joined in Madeira. There was a brief meeting, the following morning, after we had cruised all night. This consisted of a girl reading out the instructions in the Can Can lounge. No lifejackets, no muster stations, just told to look on the back of the cabin door. Several days later there was a full proper procedure for those joining in Tenerrife, but we were not invited. Good job we did not have a Concordia incident, athough the standard procedures would not work with the ship on its side.