Chaffesbird

I always book online and pay by debit card. Never had a problem with paying the deposit, cabin reservation or the balance. I normally get an email confirming payment.

I live in a village which is quite a distance from the nearest Travel agent so I always book online. Never tried booking over the phone but might give it a go in the future.

I had exactly the same letter and tickets sent to me last week. Strange really as we booked online and also selected our seats. They managed to email the confirmation of them OK. What on earth is the matter with their IT department?

We are taking our 2 twenty something granddaughters on the Spirit on 11th September for a week. I don't know what date you are going but there is bound to be others of a similar age on board.

You only need visas for St Petersburg if you intend to do your own thing. You don't need one if you do the ships excursions.

We have done more than 15 cruises with Thomson. We have had 3 invites to the captain's table for dinner, 1 £25 voucher, one trip when our weeks bill was cancelled and one bottle of wine. On our last three cruises we did not received anything. I guess it is luck of the draw. I would prefer to have the discount that other cruise lines give but I can't see that ever happening. We are off on the Celebration in June but I won't hold my breath that we will get any reward.

Did the New Year cruise on the Majesty. For the first time ever, we did not prebook our cabin. I am glad we didn't. Reception was full of people complaining that they had not got the cabin they had booked. Also, in the embarkation line up, the cabin number allocated didn't always match the luggage labels inside the envelope. Methinks Thomson must have employed some of the dreaded trolls!

We have just returned from our New Year Cruise in the Canaries. There were 11 ships in Madeira including Thomson Majesty. The fireworks were amazing. We had a formal night on the 30th, a smart casual night on new years eve, though most people dressed formally, and another formal night on New Years day. People we spoke to that were onboard for Christmas as well thought New Year was better. My only complaint, nowhere in the precruise information was there any mention of 2 formal nights. It should have been 3 apparently but with 3 the week before it was changed after protests by the Christmas cruisers. We had an amazing time but didn't think the food had improved since our last cruise on her in November 2014

Just got back from New Year Canaries cruise. The temperature was between 19 in Madeira and 25 in Lanzarote. We also got a nice tan just from walking around. So pack your shorts and enjoy your cruise.

Personally, I like the Majesty. We have always had a great time on her. We are on her this New Year. We prefer her to the Dream. Celebration is my favourite though. Each to there own:)

Row 1 in premium has the screen in the armrest

We have just come back from Dominican republic and when we checked in at Gatwick we were given a new boarding card with premium on it. The lounge will not let you in until 3 hours before your flight.

Last time we were on the Celebration, the laundry was free and detergent was also free. That was a few years ago so , knowing Anything to get your money Thomson's, the situation may have changed. Personally, I don't do laundry on holiday but that's my personal choice.

WE did Cuban Fusion and Mayan Treasures and have only been back a few days.

We had a fantastic time, but I agree that 2 sea days a week is too many but can understand why it is necessary. The Dream is much improved from last year, in both the public areas and the food.

Just got back from the Dream. Will post later but on the subject of the Sun Lounge, it now has very comfy loungers either single or double and each lounger has its own table. It is hot in there if there isn't any breeze but on a blowy day, pure relaxing luxury.

No problems in taking your own drink onboard but sometimes the ships duty free can be cheaper.

I* don't think that the free lounge passes start until May, but I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. When Thomson used to give free passes with their A la carte hotels, details of which lounge it applied to came with the tickets. Hope that helps.

You go to http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/embarkation

You can catch a bus from inside the port gates. It cost 1euro 50 each way and the bus drops off near the old city.

Thank you for that. Guess I had better pack Hiking boots lol.

Has anyone used a water taxi to transfer from the ship to centre of Venice? Or is it better/cheaper to book the ships day or half day tour. Any ideas on cost or can you use the train?

The last 2 Thomson cruises that we have been on, the Majesty in September and the Dream in February, our loyalty gift was sitting at the Staff Captains Table for first sitting dinner. The good thing about that was that we didn't have to pay for our wine ( we were not all inclusive) and we have reserved seats in the theatre that night. When we asked why us, we were led to believe that it was names drawn out of a hat. We are back on the Majesty next month. Will have to see if we come up on the lottery then or if it will be the dreaded spa voucher:mad: