If you've never cruised with another cruise line before then this is a bargain. Having cruised with several, the one thing we took away from our one and only Thomson cruise was it was worth paying extra to cruise with a "proper" cruise line.

You have missed the point here. I have travelled on both cruise lines and you are not comparing like for like. An analogy would be Travelodge versus Crown Plaza. I would expect to pay double the Thomson fare to cruise on Celebrity. On a personal note we like the days at sea and we are going to Dubai as part of a extended trip to India.

I've holidayed on two Thomson cruises, the winter one was great. The second one (summer greek islands) like other people have said very rachous with one large family ruining a lot of peoples experience. In fact I don't think I've ever seen so much drinking from dawn to dusk.I like cruises because I love walking around somewhere different every day and exploring what the places have to offer, on the second cruise a significant number of people never left the ship for the whole cruise. That said, I would use them again because they have some good itineries and we were treated really well by the staff on both cruises. Like others have said though, you need to book a decent cabin.

This cruise is suitable for non discerning alcoholics. I have unfortunately had the displeasure of a Thomson cruise. The cabin was old and scruffy, the food was well below standard compared with the 10 other mainstream Cruiselines I have experienced.
If you look on Viva Voyage you will see a cruise on the Celebrity Constellation in November, 14 nights, including drinks for around £600 plus fllghts.
If you want Butlins at sea then choose Thomson. If you want to feel pampered then Celebrity, RCL, Princess etc.

Correct, and not just yours only either.
Its been fun these little chats, I would put a very big bet on us never meeting on a cruise.

By 'genuine' I meant 'genuine' and nothing more. My God, you have an awfully big chip on your shoulder.

Look, I disliked almost everything about the unbelievable poor quality of the Thompson cruise I went on. I'll say that for information on any Thompson thread since people may (or may not) be interested. You liked your cruise - fine, so you've passed on that information. Your constant accusations against anyone posting experiences you don't like and doubting them is tiring, so I'll stop posting now. This site is for all views, not just yours.

grahamc2003, not quite sure what yoy mean by "genuine", I've listed a holiday exactly as stated and for a price that can be booked. Quoting other cruises with no links and not being able to book at that prices shown without phone calls does not seem "genuine" to me.
diylenny, which Thomson cruise ship were you on and when? When I looked for a 14 day cruise in November on Viva Voyage the cheapest I got was £679 but their was no link to book, can you link the £600 for future ref as we might be interested in the future.
Maybe my lack of cruise experience puts me at a disadvantage but I know I was on the poor ship in Oct 15 & Mar 16 so to speak in the Thomson fleet in the "spirit" but everthing was cleaned constantly, the chefs were checking the food constantly to make sure it was at the correct temp, even though the ship is being put out of commision soon it was still being painted and maintained, the room was basic but we were only sleeping and washing in it (also it was cleaned 3 times a day) and the entertainment was very good. Not been to Butlins in about 15 years but it was good fun when we went with the kids.

Not sure why you think I'm upset, I'm quite pleased you like the Thompson offering. I've been on one thompson cruise and, obviously from my views and experience, I wouldn't go with them again. (I've been with several other lines and would go with all the rest again). I eat in all sorts of places, and I'd rate the food on our cruise as, for example, quite a bit below wetherspoons (which I think is perfectly ok). It's quite possible that you had a great cruise and others experience disappointment and I think it's healthy balance to point out differing views. People shell out a lot of money for these cruises, and the more (genuine) information and experiences the better they can form their expectations. I, like you, am trying to be helpful.

Just thought that what happened with planes from Egypt , jordan isn't that far away and thought there might be a slight risk with terrorism

grahamc2003, how many Thomson cruises have you been on? I never said cruise nation were con artists, I just said why carn't you book online like all the others. I'm not sure if you only eat in five star establishments but on both the Thomson cruises I've been on I thought the food was fantastic, I had the best Sunday lunch ever on one. You seem to be getting very upset because I like Thomson cruises and I'm willing to defend them.

Qman, full board food is standard, the drinks package is extra although in this case its free.
Lovehols, not heard anything bad about flying from Jordan, have you?
Grahamc2003, carn't book online at cruise nation, they have to ring you, what's the bet the 'from' holidays have all gone but they can offer you something at twice the price.

Is it safe to fly from jordan at the moment

I am a bit puzzled, the options are either drinks or full board, has anyone worked out what food is included if the all inclusive drinks are taken?

ROME 2NTS STAY + 12NTS GREEK TREASURES

MS KONINGSDAM, 28TH SEPTEMBER 2016, 14 NIGHTS

Cruise Ship: MS Koningsdam
Cruise Line: Holland America Line
Ship Rating: *****
Start Date: 28th September 2016
Other Dates: No other dates.
EXTRAS:
FREE STAY INCLUDED
FLIGHTS INCLUDED
CRUISE NATION SMART PACKAGE
FROM ONLY:
£699.00

Gone up £89 per couple but all inclusive drinks package still included.

Couldn't find the Holland and america cruise for £699 with so little info from grahamc2003, did notice you have to pay for your flights and transfers on top, bet that bumps the price up a bit. Also I'm sure being a cosmopolitan cruise you will have entertainment in about 4 languages, not for me, if I book a holiday I like everything included and sorted for me.

just got back from a weeks cruise with Thomson and no complaints from me, best part about it was no kids allowed!

the all inclusive drinks package on the cruise we were on was £399 each, and an extra £70 each to upgrade to premium drinks. The price quoted above is for an inside cabin, which I would never have, but that is just personal taste.

Been with RC and P&O so don't think I would drop to this standard of ship as they use RC old ships when they sell them on , as its not good enough for their customers . But it's ok for Thomson customers !!!!!!

looks like a potential good deal. Whats weather like in general at this time of year around the med tho - still hot enough for sunbathing and kids to have fun in pool?

Holland America currently has 12 night greek treasures for £699, with a free extra 2 day stay in Rome thrown in. They are one of the plush quality lines. Search Cruisenation. Tips extra (as usual, but they are optional), no drinks package included (but there's a free hotel in Rome for 2 days). Hard to compare like for like, but in my opinion, paying a cheap price for something cheap isn't a bargain, but paying a low price for something of quality is.

Btw, i don't like the dressing for dinner once per week on most cruises, but i just go along with it as a pointless necessity. Sorry to (constructively) criticise your post, I usually don't, and always appreciate people taking the time to post on here.

As for Besford comments, I can only speak for myself and we had no complaints on our 2 previous Thomson cruises.
Can you direct me to the "decent cruise line" for the same price please.
We are not sun worshipers but the high temperatures can be as follows Malaga 19/66, Cartagena 19/66, Palma 18/64, Valletta 18/64, Thira 17/62, Rhodes town 14/57and Aqaba 24/75.

This looks like the kind of pricing you can get on a decent cruise line. Check out the feedback on Thomson cruises before you book! Those destinations won't be warm in November/December either.

Although when checking out this cruise today the price has gone up by £50pp, if you click through the price comes back down. Also the all inclusive drinks package is still their even though it was supposed to finish today.
In response to grahamc2003, myself and my wife like the friendly nature of Thomson cruises, we feel safe in the knowledge that the way we dress and things we say are not going to put anyones nose out of joint. We also like that tipping is included in the price so you don't have to worry about what you should give someone.

seems the price gone up already by £50

We've been with several different cruise lines and Thompson is the only one we wouldn't touch again. Don't expect anything luxurious or even acceptable, this is really low quality cruising. We experienced two elderly women crying over the experience, one on her dream trip for her 40th wedding anniversary. Noise was a major problem, as was the general school dinner quality food offerings. The saving grace for us was the entertainment, which we really enjoyed. I also caught norovirus (which can happen on any cruise), but that doesn't colour my judgement of Thompson cruises. Avoid, and spend a bit more on any other cruise line is my advice.

If you've never cruised with another cruise line before then this is a bargain. Having cruised with several, the one thing we took away from our one and only Thomson cruise was it was worth paying extra to cruise with a "proper" cruise line.

Some cruise lines charge up to £40 a day for an all inclusive drinks package, so this is definitely a deal!

The following cruise is 14n for £1584 £56.68pppn

both are seriously good value.

heat.

http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/itineraries/Mediterranean-Sunset-055938

try that one

no that won't work the HUKD parser messes it up.

anyway the cruise is Mediterranean-Sunset-055938

It won't link, keeps resetting itself, its easy to search and then just list by price.

You need too link the deal please .