joeholiday2

Just posted the review on the main site, but for those that cannot wait here it is:

Any questions just holler and I will get around to doing a review of the ports with a wheelchair soon.

The view from a wheelchair pusher....

First a bit of background.... we are seasoned Thomson Cruisers, think this is about 10 or 11, having been on Destiny, Celebration, Majesty and Dream.

We arrived back from a wonderful cruise on the Majesty and were asked by Mum and Dad if they could accompany us on our next cruise. We were thinking of trying a cruise line we had not been on but as Mum is a wheelchair user we thought it best to stick to a line and ship we know.

We decided on the Dream as it is the largest ship of the fleet and quite easy to navigate.

The booking process was quite easy, when phoning the passenger assistance line they told us which adapted cabins were available and instructed us to book both cabins we needed online and phone back the next day so they could change one to an adapted cabin. Very straightforward and they even booked wheelchair assistance at the airport both ways and reserved 2 seats at the front of the aircraft at no extra charge, and arranged for 2 seats on the same row at a charge.

The transfer out went well, with Mum being able to manage the couple of steps onto the coach and the first 2 seats were reserved too. At the port we were whisked past the queue to a desk specially set up for people with mobility issues and shown to cabin 1002 which we had booked for Mum and Dad at no extra cost.

It’s a well appointed, airy and comfortable outside cabin, about as large as the suites, and a bathroom that is adapted well, a wheelchair can fit under the sink, there is a large shower with a fold down seat and plenty of grab handles around. It’s like a wet room really as it fills with water when the shower is used as there is no lip to step over.

The only issue was that the toilet occasionally (4 times in 2 weeks) overflowed; sometimes in the middle of the night when it hadn't been used for hours it would just start to overflow. The plumber tried to blame use of materials other than the paper provided but we know this wasn't the case.

When we had Mum and Dad settled we went down to find our cabin 6107, this is a standard inside and perfectly adequate for 2. We chose this knowing it was only 3 cabins away from stairwell B which was close to 1002 up on deck 10.

Navigating the ship with a wheelchair.... We found that there were some places that were tricky to get to. It just needed a bit of thinking about, for instance lift A could not access the cabins on deck 10 but was the required lift to get to deck 11 if in a wheelchair. So to get to Sirens buffet required going down to deck 9 on lift B across to lift A and up to deck 11. The prom deck could only be accessed via the Lido restaurant. Things were OK we just needed to plan the route before we went and after a day or so we had it embedded in the brain cells.

We found the food fine last time we went on the Dream 18 months ago, the portions were a bit small in the Orion, but not so this time, the size was about the same as the Majesty. I would say the quality has improved slightly, the cuts of meat we had were excellent, not cheap stuff. The quality was about the same as Majesty maybe slightly better as I found the dishes were salted less. The Surf and Turf we had in the Grill was excellent, a really nice Sirloin.

So from what has been reported on here it looks like the quality dropped over last winter and has now improved. Still serving those horrible tinned Mushrooms at Breakfast though...

The entertainment was fine, just like on the Majesty last year Brandi and Max were the stand out performers. The photography concession has changed and is so much better than we have encountered before, not pushy or in your face at all.

The staff are amazing, they are on any Thomson ship anyway, but the service they gave to Mum and Dad was exceptional. As soon as they see anyone with a stick or in a wheelchair they go over and help when possible, carrying trays at the buffet, opening doors, etc, they are truly a credit to the ship and cannot do enough for you.

I will do a port review on the Thomson forum section in the future, but I must comment that they have purchased a new tracked stair-climber that helps to get the wheelchair up and down the gangway easier. It’s a slow process but is safer for both the passenger and the crew members that assist.

So top marks for Thomsons looking after passengers with mobility problems.

We have just been asked by Mum and Dad, “When are we going again?”

Plumbing was fine for us, no sign of any flooding on deck 5 and didn't hear of any problems.

Cabin 1002 had issues with the toilet occasionally (4 times in 2 weeks) overflowing, sometimes in the middle of the night when it hadn't been used for hours it would just start to overflow. The plumber tried to blame use of materials other than the paper provided but we know this wasn't the case.

We found the food fine last time we went 18 months ago, the portions were a bit small in the Orion, but not so this time, the size was about the same as the Majesty. I would say the quality has improved slightly, the cuts of meat we had were excellent, not cheap stuff. The quality was about the same as Majesty maybe slightly better as I found the dishes were salted less. The Surf and Turf we had in the grill was excellent, a really nice Sirloin.

So from what has been reported on here it looks like the quality dropped over last winter and has now improved.

Still serving those horrible tinned Mushrooms at Breakfast though...

We met up with Jules and Toni, but didn't spend as much as we would have liked to with them, taking care of Mum and Dad changed the holiday for us and we were not up to the late nights we usually have. It was worth it though as they really enjoyed it, Mum was crying her eyes out on the last night, Gally the wine waiter was looking a bit teary too, he got quite attached to Mum.

Had a great 2 weeks.

Staff are brill, they looked after Mum and Dad so well.

Food better than 18 months ago.

Will file a proper report later on, but in summary it was fantastic.

Shamelessly ripped off from FB, it's this years list.

It looks pretty similar to this years, a few things are about 20p dearer.

There are some pics on FB, will try and find and post.

I hope the Thomson CS reps that monitor this site see this.

If you do guys, don't just read it and do nothing, make sure Helen Caron sees it.

There are quite a few Loyal Customers on here and FB that are defecting to other lines. We are your bread and butter, and you wouldn't want us to stop recommending to friends.

Hi Guys.

Not been contributing to this but just noticed this was put on the official thomson cruises FB page yesterday:

" I've contacted our Duty Office Team for an update on this and we have removed Ashdod from our itineraries for the rest of Summer 2014. The Aegean & The Holy Land itinerary has now been changed to the Gems of the Aegean, and will now be calling at Kusadasi in Turkey and Mykonos in Greece. Our Programme Change Team are currently in the process of notifying customers."

My notes on Monemvasia this May half term. The weather was hot and sunny with calm seas.

"Off early and walked to the old town, walked right up to the top as far as we could go, back to new town and had Wine, Fava, Fried Courgettes, and Tsaksiki for €15 in Scorpios Taverna."

It's a great place for food, there seems to be less and less Greek Tavernas doing Fava these days.

You could do the Shorex to Mistras, we went years ago when we used to stay on the Mani, it's a great place if you are into Byzantine culture.

Bumping up for Lolmerry.

Thanks Kruzseeka.

That looks a lovely place to visit, I think you have sold it to me.

We may get the combined ticket and have a look at the greek villa too. Might not want to walk over there though if it's too hot.

Just mapped it out on google earth, it's a little over 1.5 miles to the villa.

We are on the same week as you Gemini and the week before.

At Villefranche we are planning on getting the bus to Nice, it's a walk up the hill but then seems quite straightforward. But will look at kruzseekers info on the town itself and the villa, so we might do that instead.

The cable car is a good day out at Toulon, we have done it before. The tourist office at the bottom of the market square will sell you a combined bus/cable car ticket and point you in the direction of the bus stop.

Rapallo, will do the boat to portofino, just have to make sure we don't leave it too late to catch the boat back, as it's high season there may be queues.

If you have a smartphone or tablet I can recommend the trip advisor app for Barcelona, it's really good.

Hazel has just gone back on last week after her time back home.

The performance she does on the crew show is amazing, such a talent.

Does Kurt wear glasses? If so I think he was onboard. So far no sign of cases, all the numbers we were given are just ringing out. Dog says serves us right for leaving him behind!

He didn't 18 months ago.

He is very tall and slim, and DW assures me is very handsome.

Nell.

I think it could be to do with your phone.

You will need a tri-band or quad-band phone to get coverage in the states and Caribbean.

Have a look at this page:

http://selfhelp.carphonewarehouse.com/SelfHelp/request.do?view%28%29=c{06748ad0-d047-11de-e56d-000000000000}

We have a tri-band and it works on some islands but not others.

Firstly has anyone stayed in cabin 6036 and how was it ?

Only stayed in steerage on decks 3 and 4

Can anyone tell me what time passengers on the Thomson excursions get to disembark the ship in Venice as I understand it arrives in port at 7.30am ( we are doing the Venice on your own excursion) .

We got off just after 8am last year, but we made our own way into Venice and was not on the excursion, hopefully someone who has done that trip will come on and give you the answer.

What time can you start to get breakfast from in the restaurants and if they are not open what is there available to grab before we go ?

I think the buffets open around 6ish, we were able to get a coffee to take up onto top deck for the Venice sail-in, there will be food there around that time as well. Don't miss the sail-in's for Venice and Kotor, wonderful.

Is the Le Bistro restaurant available to book as soon as we arrive on board as we would like to book it for the captains night ( we have done a number of the captains nights previously and don't want to use up valuable luggage space this year with suits , fancy frock , etc. !! ).

Yes.

HTH

Joe.

Hi BiffyBear.

Thanks for the report.

Pleased that you had a good time, hope the luggage turns up soon.

Did you notice if Manny (waiter in Orion) Kurt (wine waiter in Orion) or Daniel (Maitre'D in Orion at night and Lido during day) were on-board?

Sounds like your Dog had a good holiday as well. :)

This isn't a bad list, not sure how up to date it is, and I'm sure there are many they have left off:

http://crew-center.com/crew-wifi-locations-ports-worldwide

Gibraltar is good in the port terminal, I gave up at the terminal in Athens, was very slow when I eventually got online.

Best advice is as always.... follow the crew:)

We had 6110 18 months ago.

https://joeholiday2.shutterfly.com/pictures/1550

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Thanks Sheila, Kate and amerryscot.

It looks it's pot luck, just hope it's the one close to the town.

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Yep, all open decks on port side. Even outside the San Marco by the massage tables :O :O

Rule of thumb.... If you don't see an ashtray or box on the rail, then don't smoke.

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We did the cable car on our own 2 years ago, all the indication from around the web (ta etc) said that it was closed all day Monday. We made our way there and got one up around ten am. I think they run it as long as a ship is in port. Just give it a try.....

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Joe, we are due on Dream in September, when I booked I asked for mid ship, the agent said that all of the outside plus cabins are situated there, so it wasn't necessary to pay extra and choose a cabin number.

Do you think this is correct? or should i be looking at booking a particular cabin?

They are "sort of" right, if you look at the deck plans the purple and teal coloured cabins are the plus ones, they are mainly midships but extend quite a way forward and aft.

There is a section of 14 plus cabins on each side that has a larger window, this is from when they extended the ship. Think they are around 6140/41 going forward.

Just some info....

http://www.sorrento.city-sightseeing.it/eng/percorsi.htm

This new service means you can do Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi for €16 each rather than the £32 Thomson want.

Just been reading on TA that it can be difficult to get the bus back from Positano so it's best to start the return journey at Amalfi, having the Positano stop on the outbound leg.

Thanks everyone for your positive comments,now just got to book my cabin will try for deck 6 -6103 to 6122 look like they are a safe bet,thanks again all

Always go Midships....