To Balcony or not to Balcony ( Dream v Azura)

[Gormels]

Having been on Thomson cruises for the past four years ( 2x Celebration,2x Destiny), we are currently in the process of evaluating our options for 2014. The Caribbean will definitely be the destination and we were pretty certain that we would be aboard the Dream for 14 nights to celebrate my `half century `

 

Therefore we visited Thomson`s website and priced up a two week cruise in a deluxe cabin, together with the drinks package and premium seating from Gatwick. Having seen the Azura in the Caribbean when we were aboard the Destiny in 2011,we decided to have a look at the P and O website in order to obtain a price ,thinking that it would be beyond our budget.

 

I was surprised to learn that this was not the case, and a cruise aboard the Azura on similar dates, in the lowest grade balcony cabin, together with premium seating, was approximately £500 less than what was quoted for the Dream. Whilst I appreciate that drinks would not be included on the Azura, a per person on board credit of £70 is offered.

 

This has made what was going to be a perfectly straightforward decision rather difficult. We are loyal Thomson customers and enjoy the atmosphere of the ships and the attentiveness of the crew . However on our last cruise ( Red Sea Jan 2013) we encountered some difficulty obtaining sunbeds and whilst staff took measures to mitigate

the situation, the lure of your own private balcony on a newer more modern ship is somewhat appealing!

 

Once again I must stress that we have thoroughly enjoyed all our cruises with Thomson, however when looked at objectively the prices charged do seem to be encroaching upon those levied for much newer vessels.

 

Apologies if this has been brought up before, but I would be interested to learn if any forum members have also undertaken this comparison, and if they have, what conclusions were drawn.

 

[whistlerbc]

For me the key thing is the itinerary. I too looked at P&O for my upcoming cruise and the price was slightly cheaper with P&O but a lot more sea days so I stuck with Thomson for the ports and the fact I get to visit more islands.

 

I think its all down to what you want. A balcony would be nice but I'd rather be off the ship visiting new places and old favourites or socialising up on deck than stuck at sea sitting on my balcony.

[Dreamgirl1957]

Hi Gormels, if you do go for Azura choose a cabin on deck C as the balconies are twice the size of the others (apart from deck D which are dearer grade)

The deck C cabins have def the best balconys, the back half of the balcony is under cover but the front part which is as big as a normal one is un-covered if that makes sense, i have a photo if i can figure out how to add one!

You can actually lie out prperly on these balconys they are fab. The front part is overlooked but if you were relaxing people would only see your legs !

Also as you look over the edge it has a step down as the deck below (Deck D) stick out even further so no vertigo!! No sheer drop :D

They are perfect for the caribbean :):)

[topsey130]

Hi Gormels, if you do go for Azura choose a cabin on deck C as the balconies are twice the size of the others (apart from deck D which are dearer grade)

The deck C cabins have def the best balconys, the back half of the balcony is under cover but the front part which is as big as a normal one is un-covered if that makes sense, i have a photo if i can figure out how to add one!

You can actually lie out prperly on these balconys they are fab. The front part is overlooked but if you were relaxing people would only see your legs !

Also as you look over the edge it has a step down as the deck below (Deck D) stick out even further so no vertigo!! No sheer drop

They are perfect for the caribbean :):)

 

I would agree with Dreamgirl, that if you are going for a balcony the ones on C deck are the ones to have, what i will say is that dependant on where you are docked or which direction you are sailing you have a 50/50 chance of being in the shade. :) so you may still have to face the sunbed scrum if you want to catch a few rays :D.

 

I am at the moment doing the same comparison for next year and i think we will be probably be giving P & O a miss, purely as when we took a taster cruise on the Ventura (sister ship) we found it to be a little impersonal in terms of service and lacking in atmosphere when compared to Thomson's, i think that the size was the issue for us it made the experience a little anonymous, we enjoyed it but we came back having a had a good weekend rather than a fantastic time (hope that makes sense).

 

Although i did like the balcony :D (mid ships c-deck) i think the novelty would have worn off as part of a cruise to me is the social aspect (love to be on deck with a cocktail in hand at sail away) - on the taster cruise me and DH were on our balcony for sail away with a bottle of Champagne, it was romantic for about 5 minutes then we went up on deck for the sail out......So i know we would more than likely only use it for early morning coffee and pre dinner cocktails, on any future cruise.

 

I am not saying i would discount P & O entirely, if the price difference was significant then i would consider Azura/Ventura or if the price was comparable on one of there smaller ships i probably then make my choice on ports of call.

 

Only you know what matters to you in regard to you holiday so which ever you choose have a lovely time :)

[jenny wren]

Difficult decision....we like Thomson and P&O ...but agree C deck is the way to go for the best balconies on Azura!! Thomson entertainment is probably better but food the same....possibly more formal nights on P&O.....but Thomson usually better itineraries...:p

[kruzseeka]

For me the key thing is the itinerary. I too looked at P&O for my upcoming cruise and the price was slightly cheaper with P&O but a lot more sea days so I stuck with Thomson for the ports and the fact I get to visit more islands.

 

I think its all down to what you want. A balcony would be nice but I'd rather be off the ship visiting new places and old favourites or socialising up on deck than stuck at sea sitting on my balcony.

 

 

Exactly the same reasons we chose the Thomson itinerary too.

[blossom52]

Some friends of ours are going on P & O and they can't even find out what times they dock or leave port so it makes it difficult to prebook trips other than ship ones.

They also don't do as many islands as we do on Dream and go to 2 of them twice.

[Cappers]

Hhhhmmm,,never been on the Dream but have been on Azura,,beautiful ship. Had balcony cabin on D deck. Loved it, doing it again in April for my birthday! Agree with the comments about socialising and stuff at sailaway but the balcony was wonderful in the mornings to sit and have your first cup of tea and a biscuit while you sailed along! The only thing that irritated me was the constant drone of "ohh it's not as nice as Ventura" or whatever other ship they had just been on!

[Gormels]

Many thanks for the responses,and we are especially grateful to Dreamgirl and Topsey for providing such comprehensive information upon cabin selection on the Azura.

 

It would seem that a number of contributors have also experienced the `Thomson v P and O` dilemmma. To reiterate, we greatly enjoy the atmosphere on board Thomson vessels and are genuinely torn as to how to proceed.

 

However it is difficult to overlook the facts, and in the final analysis it is possible to cruise on board a ship which is more modern and comfortable, and additonally affords the opportunity to have your own private space , for less money.

 

Having cruised with Thomson for the past four years, we feel the wind of change upon our faces,( from our balcony) ;) and will probably `jump ship` to the Azura.

 

We will return to the Board in March 2014 and let you know how we got on, and in the interim may I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to all those who replied to my original posting.

[Dreamgirl1957]

Whichever you choose hope you have a fab time Gormels :)

Ventura is identical to Azura just decor different and a few other bits and bobs and so if you look at her C deck balconies will be best again. Both ships do the p&o Caribbean itineraries :cool:

Bye for now ;)

 

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