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Review of Thomson Dream Jan 12- 26th

maggie 57
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maggie 57

maggie 57

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Posted (edited)

Thomson Dream Review



We had a great holiday,really enjoyed the cruise experience and didn't want to come home. (again)

Flights

Outbound was on time from Birmingham. We got seats together no problem as we hadn’t paid the extra to sit together. The cabin crew were the best we have ever had, which was a great start to the holiday. Straight off the plane on to busses to the ship. All very efficient.

Return flight not as good. Cabin crew not helpful or friendly. Our reading lights keep randomly turning on and off. Inflight entertainment was intermittent. I noticed one passenger start his film 3 times.

Boarding

We only queued about 20 mins and drinks were provided. We made our own way to the cabin as we had had it before but there was plenty of staff to escort you. Our cases arrived in about 2 hours.

Cabin

We had inside on deck 6. It was made up as double as requested. Spotlessly clean and spacious. Yes the bathroom is tired but old doesn’t bother us as long as it’s clean and the toiletries are provided. Plenty of hanging space. The cabin lacked drawer space but we used the bottom of the wardrobe and the top of the drawers near the door. The towels were changed too often rather than if I’d put them in the shower.( Trying to my bit to save water etc.) Some towels were off white but again as long as they are clean it doesn’t worry us.( less bleach better for the environment?) The water was always hot and the shower powerful. Our cabin was kept clean throughout but sometimes we had to ask for our pool towels. We had one towel animal in 2 weeks which was accompanied by an order form for the towel sculpture book!

Food and Drink

The food suited us. We thought the choice for breakfast was particularly good. I had a freshly made omelette most days and my order was soon remembered. We used Sirens for breakfast and lunch as we think the buffet is easier to use than the lido. As I like waiter service and DH prefers buffet we did a week in each for dinner. We were happy with the Orion menu. Like others we feel the standard of meals has dropped slightly but nothing major. The service only became slow after mains. It wasn’t due to overworked waiters but them waiting for the food. We tend to eat early so I can’t comment on service when MDR was full. We enjoyed the dinner menu in Lido. Plenty of choice, well cooked and hot enough. For the first 2 days of each week, we were served to prevent any potential norovirus. The staff was happy to serve you as much as you wanted. It must be hard for them to gauge how much people want. I was appalled at times by the lack of manners and understanding of some passengers whilst being served.

We didn’t have the drinks package and it was the right decision. We don’t drink wine and water was available in dispensers in buffet and the waiters topped up from bottles in MDR.Free selfservice coffee and tea including a good range of flavoured teas in buffet from 6am-1am. We enjoyed the virgin cocktails and latte coffees. Sometimes there was a bit of a wait for your drinks at busy times but nothing major. We were allowed to take drinks on-board to drink in cabin. We stocked up on bottled water and cans at the supermarket in St Maarten for our trips out.

Entertainment

We enjoyed the shows we went to. Some shows were brilliant but others I felt there was something missing but couldn’t decide what. I think there was one concerto type each week which personally I don’t enjoy as much as a full show. The guest comedians were good and the crew show was brilliant. Each week the cruise director sang in the show lounge and later on the show team performed on deck at the Deck Fest. In the bars and the Medusa the Canta Serenada, an Acoustic Trio would do a few songs then move on. The resident band was ok. Can’t comment on the rest of the entertainment as we are not in to quizs or quiz shows. There was a good atmosphere in all the entertainment areas.

Sunbeds

Didn’t get one the first sea day. We knew we needed to get up early but were just too tired. To be honest I don’t think it was a matter of people reserving them and not using them, more that there wasn’t enough. We didn’t see many empty for long periods of time. Perhaps they need to use the sports deck on sea days for extra beds, especially on a cruise with hardly any children on-board. Some of the bed need replacing. On port days you could always get a sunbed.

Medical and Welfare

Not something I thought we would comment on! On the first Friday we couldn’t tender at Mayraeu and went to Bequia (Beckway) DH fell getting into a water taxi and on returning to ship we realised he needed to see the doctor. The medical staff were brilliant. I asked lots of questions and the doctor got out an anatomy book to show me where he thought the broken bones were. We left with DH in a wheelchair, bandaged from below the knee and his wrist. The following day we were accompanied by Susie the welfare person, who was really helpful and efficient , to hospital in Tobago. Watching 4 crew member carry DH down the gang way, in the wheelchair, was both scary and amusing. It couldn’t have been easy for them but they were so willing to help. Fortunately no broken bones but ligament damage. The doctor wanted to see him daily for the next 5 days and they provided some magnetic therapy which helped. They also provided crutches, which luckily were only needed for a day. We were treated really well and couldn’t fault the service. Thomson’s medical bill was £141 which we thought was reasonable!

Crew

Thomson’s greatest asset. So helpful, friendly, hardworking and nothing too much trouble. Anything not there you just need to ask.

Edited by maggie 57
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kruzseeka

kruzseeka

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Thank you for your comprehensive review Maggie. I'm so pleased you had such a good time and that you were happy with the Dream. Sorry to hear of your husband's accident but it's very reassuring to know how well he was treated by the on-board medical team. I hope he's recovering well. :)

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Jakanne1

Jakanne1

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Thank you Maggie for your excellent review. I'm going in 3 weeks and it has made me feel very happy to read it. :). I guess we will just have to set the alarm early for a sunbed on the 2 sea days.

 

I hope your husband's leg is ok now and it didn't spoil his holiday too much. Ligament damage can be very painful but at least you were well looked after by Thomson.

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maggie 57

maggie 57

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Yes thank you DH is recovering well. A little sore and on light duties at work. We didn't let it spoil the holiday just amended our plans a little and did more beach days. We were just a little disappointed we had to cancel the Virgin Gorda tour. The irony(spelling?) is, the cruise was to replace our first Caribbean cruise on the Destiny in 08 where I broke my toe on xmas day in Badados and we had to change our port plans. Something's trying to tell us about going on Caribbean cruises. Lol:)

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gillhalfpint

gillhalfpint

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We were on Dream 19th for 2 weeks and are on our last island today in Grenada. Barbados and home tomorrow after the most fantastic 2 weeks. Second evrything in your review. We had breakfast and lunch in Lido and evening meal in Orion. Didn't have AI and have spent around £200 for the 2 of us so far. That includes my bottle of wine with dinner, and 3 bottles have seen me through the 2 weeks there. Tend to have water free and tea coffees freeduring the day. Enjoyed shows but didn't do quizes or game shows. Always had a bed when I wanted one, even on sea days. Loving every minute of this cruise, all the islands and the snorkelling and beach trips. Done some just wandering round ports for botanical gardens this trip too. Watched cricket in one!! Sad it ends tomorrow, but hope all coming over as we go back have as good a time as we are having.

Edited by gillhalfpint
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Jakanne1

Jakanne1

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Mrs Red Scorpion and I will be on the Dream in four weeks time. This is a helpful review, especially the section on the medical treatment your husband received. I hope he is recovering nicely.

 

Hi Mr Scorpion. Will you be wearing the same hat in the Caribbean? I'm leaving DH at home this time and travelling with 3 girl friends. We are going in 3 weeks so will look out for you. :)

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geomagot

geomagot

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great to hear a positive review...many thanks for this maggie, sorry to hear of your oh's accident glad to hear that thoms looked after you

 

have a good one info and all others cruising shortly (thumbup)

 

great to hear more positives from the dream, gill have a good journey home tomorrow (cant wait to hear all about it)

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  • 4 weeks later...
mtt

mtt

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We had 2 deluxe cabins in oct last year, you do get noise from medusa lounge below, not so good if you a light sleeper, you can see if cabins at night from outside if the main lights are all on, but we enjoyed the cabins, would definately go in again, as the noise didn't bother us too much

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