gemini77

We go on the 9th April. I’m sure there will be a few niggles being so close to her maiden voyage, but AI, adults only and in the school holidays for a teacher sways the vote. Can’t wait. All the other Thomson cruises I’ve been on before Marella were great!

Thomson are very sneaky. A lot of the time they drop the cruise price and put the cabins up or have a higher cruise price and lower cabin price.

I'm the other way, we always book late. Just booked yesterday for beginning of August. Cruise was down to £500 from just over £800 earlier in the year. We don't drink enough to pay £398 for the drink package so free AI is not an incentive for us. We were still able to prebook a double cabin this close to the date as well which on the spirit is a bonus.

Thanks for your review of the spirit. Looking at a last minute deal on the spirit. Which deck would you say was the best for cabins? Have looked online but can't make up my mind.

No it was Thomson, they use to have your name and flight number on however we haven't cruised for a couple of years so maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.

Thanks everyone.

When you use to get your ticket booklet there use to be luggage labels in the back. But like everything else now it seems to be print your own.

Thanks for the advice.

Hi, hope this isn't a daft question. With Thomson cost cutting by making you print everything at home, do they no longer provide baggage labels for your cases?

They always have before but need to know as we fly Sat do I need to buy some?

Thanks for your help

Yes I think the airport you fly from does make a difference to the price. Exeter was cheaper than Bristol for ages, then Bristol suddenly dropped.

I am sure most other travel companies use similar marketing techniques to sell their cruises and holidays.

I always believe, it you see what you want at a price you are willing to pay and think is acceptable then you've got a fair deal. You have to accept that others may get a different deal.

This will be our 3rd time on the Dream, I'm more worried about the negativity about her at the moment than the price we paid, as we sail in a fortnight :/

We have always booked our cruise late to get the cheaper deal. We are not worried about having the AI drinks so free AI for booking early doesn't appeal to us.

We had been watching our cruise for about 3 months before we booked and noticed some interesting things.

Thomson would always increase the price over the weekend.

The price would be lower on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

The price would also rise if there was an increase of traffic on their website.

Thomson would often lower the price of the cruise but then up the price of the cabin supplements to compensate.

Thomson had a £50 voucher off late bookings until they dropped the price by £50 then they removed that offer.

They use a range of different marketing tactics.

Buy booking early at least you are guaranteed the cabin you want and you get cheaper AI and I guess you pay a premium for that priviledge, however if like us you aren't too bothered about which deck you sleep on or you don't drink that much alcohol then I would suggest waiting it out. The ship is going anyway and Thomsons will always reduce the price nearer the time as they would rather sail with a full ship rather than lots of empty cabins.

That's brilliant thank you, it all seems really easy. I'm sure the minute we get on the ship it will fall back into place. We just haven't cruised for a couple of years.

Thanks again

Jo

Thanks Kruzseeka, a low key relaxed day sounds good to me will keep the villa in mind it looks lovely on the web.

Joeholiday2 you never know our paths may cross that week. We've got an outside plus, which is an upgrade for us, we are usually happy with a normal outside. Push the boat out as they say :)

We've never stopped where we've needed a tender before. Daft question but how do they work?

if you are interested I can give you info/instructions on how to get to Villa Ephrussi which is walkable from the town and has the most fabulous views and beautiful gardens. (I'm finding it hard to get this device to copy the link but Google Villa Ephrussi for an idea of what its like - might not be your thing but we enjoyed our day there and in Villefranche more than Monte Carlo although that was interesting and worth doing).

I would love any information on Villa Ephrussi. It sounds like a lovely place.

Thanks Kruzseeka much appreciated

Thank you all for your help.

Your thoughts on st tropez are very welcome. You can DIY by bus but it takes 2 hours I don't think there is a train and it sounds like its lovely but not worth that much effort.

We may stay in Toulon and splash out on a night in the grill being our anniversary.

We are definitely doing the Hoho in Barcelona as we missed out last time due to an unplanned strike! And will probably DIY to Monaco.

I always find Cruise Critic very helpful when you are indecisive.

Many thanks again. This will be our 3rd time on the Dream, we love her vintage charm :)

Hi

Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of the boat to Portofino and have looked at that on the internet. Thanks.

Cassis looks lovely too.

Do you know if St Tropez from Toulon is doable DIY?

Hi I'm looking for advice on this itinerary. We like to DIY when we cruise and I've managed to research most ports, except I can't find much info on Toulon. It's our anniversary that day and wanted to do something a little more special but begrudge spending money on ship excursions as I find them over priced.

Any advice or tips for the others ports too would be great.

We stop at

Livorno

Villefrance

Rappallo

Toulon

Barcelona

Thanks in advance

Jo