For all going on spirit (or have been ) good "tidings"

[stevedeccaman]

Hi to All ,

 

 

Found this while browsing like you do! ....and it is a recent report

enjoy all who sail on the old girl !

Stevie.

 

:)That's the Spirit! Thomson cruise ship comes top in passenger poll

By John Honeywell on Jun 10, 11 11:45 PM in Cruise news

 

A ship built 28 years ago has triumphed over newer, shinier vessels packed with modern facilities, in a poll to find Britain's most popular cruise ship.

Thomson Spirit came top in the mid-sized category of the first Cruisers' Choice Awards organised by the Cruise Critic website, which has 700,000 members and contains 70,000 ship reviews.

The 1,250-passenger ship, launched in July 1983, beat the likes of Fred Olsen's Balmoral and P&O's Oriana in the votes cast by UK cruise passengers for ships carrying between 1,000 and 2,000 passengers. It was voted best overall and best for dining, entertainment, service, shore excursions, and crucially, value-for-money.

Cruise Critic editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown said: "Thomson offers an authentic cruise experience which focuses on camaraderie and community, not simply having all the latest amenities on board. Passengers enjoy a traditional cruise, with a modern twist."

Thomson Cruises' managing director Fraser Ellacott said:

 

"We are absolutely delighted to receive this award, which we believe is a great reflection of how highly our customers rate us, especially against a very comprehensive set of competitors. We pride ourselves on delivering great service, great value and great entertainment for our customers, and it shows we are achieving this on Thomson Spirit."

International winner in the mid-sized category was Island Princess, while in the large ship class, Oasis of the Seas swept the board as best overall for international and UK passengers. In the UK poll it was voted top for cabins, dining, embarkation entertainment, value, fitness and public rooms.

Oasis, launched by Royal Caribbean less than two years ago, carries more than 6,000 passengers at a time. Spencer Brown said the vessel has confounded those who said the mega-ship, floating resort experience would be a turn-off for cruise passengers and could not deliver on quality. "Oasis is providing a winning formula and truly exceptional levels of quality," she said.

Azamara Journey and sister ship Azamara Quest - the only ships in the Azamara Club Cruises fleet - claimed the top two places in the small ship category. Spencer Brown said they evoked a bygone era of elegant cruise liners "which struck a chord with British passengers, especially seniors.

"Azamara has undergone an on-board and on-shore makeover that clearly resonated with passengers. The line's new focus has blended culinary excellence with itineraries that offer exotic ports of call."

Top five listings for the UK awards are:

Large ships: Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); Celebrity Eclipse (Celebrity Cruises); Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); Queen Victoria (Cunard); Grand Princess (Princess Cruises).

Mid-sized: Thomson Spirit (Thomson); Celebrity Century (Celebrity Cruises); Splendour of the Ses (Royal Caribbean); Thomson Destiny (Thomson); Balmoral (Fred. Olsen).

Small: Azamara Journey (Azamara Club Cruises); Azamara Quest (Azamara Club Cruises); Pacific Princess (Princess Cruises); Braemar (Fred. Olsen); Marco Polo (Cruise & Maritime Voyages).

[gunn3rs3]

Hi to All ,

 

 

Found this while browsing like you do! ....and it is a recent report

enjoy all who sail on the old girl !

Stevie.

 

:)That's the Spirit! Thomson cruise ship comes top in passenger poll

By John Honeywell on Jun 10, 11 11:45 PM in Cruise news

 

A ship built 28 years ago has triumphed over newer, shinier vessels packed with modern facilities, in a poll to find Britain's most popular cruise ship.

Thomson Spirit came top in the mid-sized category of the first Cruisers' Choice Awards organised by the Cruise Critic website, which has 700,000 members and contains 70,000 ship reviews.

The 1,250-passenger ship, launched in July 1983, beat the likes of Fred Olsen's Balmoral and P&O's Oriana in the votes cast by UK cruise passengers for ships carrying between 1,000 and 2,000 passengers. It was voted best overall and best for dining, entertainment, service, shore excursions, and crucially, value-for-money.

Cruise Critic editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown said: "Thomson offers an authentic cruise experience which focuses on camaraderie and community, not simply having all the latest amenities on board. Passengers enjoy a traditional cruise, with a modern twist."

Thomson Cruises' managing director Fraser Ellacott said:

 

"We are absolutely delighted to receive this award, which we believe is a great reflection of how highly our customers rate us, especially against a very comprehensive set of competitors. We pride ourselves on delivering great service, great value and great entertainment for our customers, and it shows we are achieving this on Thomson Spirit."

International winner in the mid-sized category was Island Princess, while in the large ship class, Oasis of the Seas swept the board as best overall for international and UK passengers. In the UK poll it was voted top for cabins, dining, embarkation entertainment, value, fitness and public rooms.

Oasis, launched by Royal Caribbean less than two years ago, carries more than 6,000 passengers at a time. Spencer Brown said the vessel has confounded those who said the mega-ship, floating resort experience would be a turn-off for cruise passengers and could not deliver on quality. "Oasis is providing a winning formula and truly exceptional levels of quality," she said.

Azamara Journey and sister ship Azamara Quest - the only ships in the Azamara Club Cruises fleet - claimed the top two places in the small ship category. Spencer Brown said they evoked a bygone era of elegant cruise liners "which struck a chord with British passengers, especially seniors.

"Azamara has undergone an on-board and on-shore makeover that clearly resonated with passengers. The line's new focus has blended culinary excellence with itineraries that offer exotic ports of call."

Top five listings for the UK awards are:

Large ships: Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); Celebrity Eclipse (Celebrity Cruises); Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); Queen Victoria (Cunard); Grand Princess (Princess Cruises).

Mid-sized: Thomson Spirit (Thomson); Celebrity Century (Celebrity Cruises); Splendour of the Ses (Royal Caribbean); Thomson Destiny (Thomson); Balmoral (Fred. Olsen).

Small: Azamara Journey (Azamara Club Cruises); Azamara Quest (Azamara Club Cruises); Pacific Princess (Princess Cruises); Braemar (Fred. Olsen); Marco Polo (Cruise & Maritime Voyages).

 

 

Having just come off the Spirit,I completley agree with all those findings,it ia brilliant experience,great food,staff, entertainment and friendliness.

[wales4ever]

Having been on the Sprit last summer and also sailed on other ships named in the same category, I would disagree lol.

 

Perhaps the people who voted have only been on one cruise ship? Or only a small section of the public ever bother to vote in these things?

 

I suppose the only people who really care about results and polls like these are the cruise lines themselves.

 

But saying all that, who cares as long as you enjoyed your cruise, whether it was a 30,000 ton ship or a 160,000 ton ship:)

[infoqueen]

i just love the spirit, yes its getting a bit tattered around the edge but the atmousphere on the ship is calm and comforting and friendly and exciting, the real deal really. hope the dream is as good if not back to the comfy old spirit and spikie in high spirits.

[kruzseeka]

i just love the spirit, yes its getting a bit tattered around the edge but the atmousphere on the ship is calm and comforting and friendly and exciting, the real deal really. hope the dream is as good if not back to the comfy old spirit and spikie in high spirits.

 

I agree - going back to Spirit (or Celebration too) it's like putting on a pair of comfy (old) slippers!!:D:D I immediately feel at home, relaxed, among friends ........and happy!!!

 

I'm sure you'll like Dream too infoqueen. It's a bit bigger but not so much so that you lose the friendly warmth we expect from Thomson ships. Enjoy! ;)

[missus mac]

i just love the spirit, yes its getting a bit tattered around the edge but the atmousphere on the ship is calm and comforting and friendly and exciting, the real deal really. hope the dream is as good if not back to the comfy old spirit and spikie in high spirits.

 

I agree too!

 

Sad news for you, infoqueen, Spikie is no longer working on the Spirit.

[Julessmiles]

I agree too!

 

Sad news for you, infoqueen, Spikie is no longer working on the Spirit.

 

 

Oh no! :( Where's Spikie gone then??:confused::confused:

[Double 07]

Hi to All ,

 

 

Found this while browsing like you do! ....and it is a recent report

enjoy all who sail on the old girl !

Stevie.

 

:)That's the Spirit! Thomson cruise ship comes top in passenger poll

By John Honeywell on Jun 10, 11 11:45 PM in Cruise news

 

A ship built 28 years ago has triumphed over newer, shinier vessels packed with modern facilities, in a poll to find Britain's most popular cruise ship.

Thomson Spirit came top in the mid-sized category of the first Cruisers' Choice Awards organised by the Cruise Critic website, which has 700,000 members and contains 70,000 ship reviews.

The 1,250-passenger ship, launched in July 1983, beat the likes of Fred Olsen's Balmoral and P&O's Oriana in the votes cast by UK cruise passengers for ships carrying between 1,000 and 2,000 passengers. It was voted best overall and best for dining, entertainment, service, shore excursions, and crucially, value-for-money.

Cruise Critic editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown said: "Thomson offers an authentic cruise experience which focuses on camaraderie and community, not simply having all the latest amenities on board. Passengers enjoy a traditional cruise, with a modern twist."

Thomson Cruises' managing director Fraser Ellacott said:

 

"We are absolutely delighted to receive this award, which we believe is a great reflection of how highly our customers rate us, especially against a very comprehensive set of competitors. We pride ourselves on delivering great service, great value and great entertainment for our customers, and it shows we are achieving this on Thomson Spirit."

International winner in the mid-sized category was Island Princess, while in the large ship class, Oasis of the Seas swept the board as best overall for international and UK passengers. In the UK poll it was voted top for cabins, dining, embarkation entertainment, value, fitness and public rooms.

Oasis, launched by Royal Caribbean less than two years ago, carries more than 6,000 passengers at a time. Spencer Brown said the vessel has confounded those who said the mega-ship, floating resort experience would be a turn-off for cruise passengers and could not deliver on quality. "Oasis is providing a winning formula and truly exceptional levels of quality," she said.

Azamara Journey and sister ship Azamara Quest - the only ships in the Azamara Club Cruises fleet - claimed the top two places in the small ship category. Spencer Brown said they evoked a bygone era of elegant cruise liners "which struck a chord with British passengers, especially seniors.

"Azamara has undergone an on-board and on-shore makeover that clearly resonated with passengers. The line's new focus has blended culinary excellence with itineraries that offer exotic ports of call."

Top five listings for the UK awards are:

Large ships: Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); Celebrity Eclipse (Celebrity Cruises); Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); Queen Victoria (Cunard); Grand Princess (Princess Cruises).

Mid-sized: Thomson Spirit (Thomson); Celebrity Century (Celebrity Cruises); Splendour of the Ses (Royal Caribbean); Thomson Destiny (Thomson); Balmoral (Fred. Olsen).

Small: Azamara Journey (Azamara Club Cruises); Azamara Quest (Azamara Club Cruises); Pacific Princess (Princess Cruises); Braemar (Fred. Olsen); Marco Polo (Cruise & Maritime Voyages).

 

Thats superb news, really looking forward to our sailing in August:):):)

[infoqueen]

I agree too!

 

Sad news for you, infoqueen, Spikie is no longer working on the Spirit.

oh will miss him perhaps hes been sent to one of the other ships he has been on the spirit for years

[missus mac]

Oh no! :( Where's Spikie gone then??:confused::confused:

 

I don't know Spikie but a couple we sat with in the Broadway Lounge did, and they asked the Bar Steward where he was. She said he hadn't come back after last season and she didn't know what he was doing now. Lots of guests had been asking for him, too.

[grannymags]

Hi folks

I heard he was now on the Dream. We met him last year on the Spirit, a real character! We've recently come back from Celebration and he wasn't on there.

 

Grannymags

[andy mac]

have been on spirit 3x ,2009 we went to baltics & 3 weeks later we went fire & ice.

on 1st cruise spikie was in high spirits, on 2nd he was up in horizons, he is some lad dancing with my wife while holding full tray of drinks with 1 hand.

we are hoping to go on spirit next year from NEWCASTLE we will miss him,he will be missed by all.:(:(

[infoqueen]

Hi folks

I heard he was now on the Dream. We met him last year on the Spirit, a real character! We've recently come back from Celebration and he wasn't on there.

 

Grannymags

oh i hope he is will be great to see him again will report back beg of july when i return