Message for Skioncruises

[Little Nell]

I thought we would have heard from you by now, Skioncruises.

 

I hope all is well.

[skioncruises]

:)

I thought we would have heard from you by now, Skioncruises.

 

I hope all is well.

 

Hi Little Nell

 

Have just spent the last hour writing to you and lost it.:eek: All is ok but will have to start all over. Will do a word doc and paste it.

 

Jan

[Little Nell]

:)

 

Hi Little Nell

 

Have just spent the last hour writing to you and lost it.:eek: All is ok but will have to start all over. Will do a word doc and paste it.

 

Jan

 

Hi, I am glad you are fine :)

 

I hate it when you lose a lengthy post like that :eek: I've done it before and it doesn't feel good :(

 

I am really looking forward to reading it though and hearing about all your adventures :cool:

[skioncruises]

Hi, I am glad you are fine. I hate it when you lose a lengthy post like that. I've done it before and it doesn't feel good. I am really looking forward to reading it though and hearing about all your adventures.

 

Hi Little Nell

 

I’m here but just not 100%. Have been keeping up to date with all that’s been going on but not up to interacting. You’ll be sorry you wrote that last sentence. Here goes - it’s long…..

 

Just to let you know, the travelling went ok. We had a good train journey to Manchester Airport from Edinburgh. We went 1st class and got spoilt by the attendant. The train was supposed to terminate at Piccadilly because of the works but that changed and went through to the airport without changing. There were apparently no trains on the weekend we came back.

 

The bus journey home was different. It was 8 hours and I began to feel unwell after 2 hours in. I’m not a good traveller and even doped up to the eyeballs didn’t help. I think it was the combination of sitting in a confined space plus the fact that we only had one stop of 25 minutes to stretch our legs, visit the most important room in a service station, plus queuing for food which was allowed to be taken on the bus but had to be cold, although hot drinks were ok (not easy to drink when bus is going flat out).

 

The flight: Not impressed with Dreamliner although there was plenty of legroom and the food was acceptable. I felt the middle seat (which I always get) was narrower and the armrests were shorter. The toilets in the middle jiggled around like a cardboard box when the plane hit the odd bump. Also, although not interested in the screen, I found a game I was interested in but abandoned as it was most uncomfortable sitting and using the touch screen by stretching up.

 

At the ship: We were greeted by a member of the Entertainment Team who did not give embarkation procedure and kept saying “yaddy daddy dah” as he assumed everyone had cruised before and was bored. After a long snaking queue in the arrivals shed, with the wine waiters trying to sell their drinks package every few feet, we arrived onboard with no usual slick welcome and escort to our cabin. Not a good impression for those who were cruising for the first time.

 

Freebies/loyalty/etc: - Not for us.

 

However, on entering the first thing we saw was a table with a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of wine in an ice bucket. I don’t drink and am diabetic and DH prefers beer. He had a glass on the first two nights together with a couple of the strawberries and the rest got put down the sink. The strawberries were put in the fridge and found at the end of the first week and consequently binned.

 

After dinner on the first evening we returned to the cabin briefly and found an invitation to join the Staff Captain for dinner the next night (formal) on the first sitting.

 

At sea next day we returned to cabin after breakfast to find another invitation to join the Captain for dinner that night on the second sitting.

 

We declined both invitations as it is not our thing and hope that two other couples were extremely happy.

 

A couple of days later we arrived back to find another bottle of wine had been left – no explanation.

 

Yet another couple of days later I was showering for dinner when a plate of canapes was delivered. Then, while DH was in the shower, a further plate was delivered. No idea why. The cabin stewardess thought it was her birthday and shared them with her colleagues.

 

Finally, yet again when getting ready for dinner, a plate of mixed fresh fruit was delivered. Again the cabin stewardess was lucky.

 

The holiday: We enjoyed all the ports as we had visited them on previous crossings. Bermuda and The Azores were the only places we had not visited and thoroughly enjoyed them. We had good weather and, although the temperature dropped during the crossing, this was to be expected as we were in the Atlantic and further north than previous times. It was also windy but this was caused by the speed of the ship as the sea was relatively calm. If the ship had been able to slow down passengers might have understood this. Instead they put on outdoor British clothing, i.e. fleeces/anoraks/hoodies/hats/trousers/socks/shoes and insisted on lying on sunbeds under pool towels all day. In one case two tartan blankets. They wanted a sunbed and they were having one no matter what.

 

Ship: Don’t know what all the fuss is about the Dream. It’s a ship like any other Thomson ship. Good bits and bad bits but didn’t spoil our holiday. Would only go back on it if the itinerary was right for us.

 

Food: The food for me was too much as I am a very plain eater and only have small portions so sadly a lot of my meals were returned each evening. I didn’t feel it was the same standard as previous Thomson cruises.

 

Staff: Excellent with the exception of Officers (who? – never saw any), Show Team, and some Entertainment Team who were rarely seen and seemed to find it hard to acknowledge passengers.

 

Entertainment: Show team were not usual standard. A couple of shows were good but the singers did not have the strength of voice for some of the routines they were doing. The 19 year old guest singer had a stronger voice and he is just breaking into show business. Quizzes need a total re-hash with a little bit of inventiveness as same questions were cropping up in different locations. Nice to see that, with the exception of Gala nights, the reserved table in the show lounge was rarely reserved.

 

Think that's enough. Sorry it’s long-winded.

 

Jan:)

[kruzseeka]

Thanks for that Jan - especially since you're not on top form and previously lost it all. So annoying - I've done it a few times and get so cross with myself!

 

What a confusing situation re 'rewards'! Bottles of wine, two formal invitations to staff tables, canapes, strawberries, fruit - just goes to prove how haphazard it all is. Thomson just seem to be chaotic with the implementation of this scheme. No wonder they can't explain it to us - so random! Still your steward no doubt appreciated your kindness. ;)

 

Pleased you enjoyed your trip overall taking the pluses and minuses into account. Hope you will soon be feeling better. :)

[skioncruises]

Thanks for that Jan - especially since you're not on top form and previously lost it all. So annoying - I've done it a few times and get so cross with myself!

 

What a confusing situation re 'rewards'! Bottles of wine, two formal invitations to staff tables, canapes, strawberries, fruit - just goes to prove how haphazard it all is. Thomson just seem to be chaotic with the implementation of this scheme. No wonder they can't explain it to us - so random! Still your steward no doubt appreciated your kindness.

 

Pleased you enjoyed your trip overall taking the pluses and minuses into account. Hope you will soon be feeling better.

 

Hi kruzseeka

 

I got a new laptop at the beginning of the year and have not got to grips with it (Windows 8). DH gave me a new mouse two days ago and I have been going scatty losing things. However, after losing the second report (I tried a second time before resorting to Word) I discovered what the problem was. For the last few months, being a typist of lo-o-ong-standing I type and only use the mouse occasionally. However, if I stop I rest my wrists on the bottom of the laptop and have been losing all my work - been touching/leaning on the touchpad. The last two hours have been great as DH sorted it by disabling the touchpad. Now I can type like the wind again and know it will stay there.

 

Regarding our little pressies. We didn't know what to expect every time we went back to the cabin. Just wish they would get the running of things right like they used to do. Perhaps we have been cruising with them too long and times have changed where slap-dash seems to be the order of the day.

 

Yes, we enjoyed our cruise as, once we are unpacked and get the incidentals out of the way, we do our own thing the majority of the time. Only ourselves to blame if it goes wrong.

 

Healthwise I think I am on the mend. Took chest infection three days in but got rid of it only for it to come back just before we left the ship. Also, have never had such bouncing as I have had for the last week. Normally, if I get it, I can shift it fairly quick but not this time.

 

Must book another cruise- at least 4 weeks as the last 4 have just flown in so we must have enjoyed it - that'll get rid of it.;)

[lovecruise22]

We took had the canapés, apparently it was because we were on for 4 weeks. A nice gesture :) no wine for us tho :(

 

Totally agree with the show team etc comments.

 

Glad you had a good gone tho and feel better soon

[Little Nell]

Thanks, Skioncruises, for taking the time to do your review. I was at a hen party yesterday from the afternoon until late last night, so I did read your review last night but thought I'd better wait to reply today.

 

What a pity you were ill on your cruise and then especially to take it a second time is tough luck. I hope you are properly on the mend this time.

 

I am glad your travel arrangements worked out well and I think first class is the way to go on the train, so comfortable.

 

The Dreamliner does seem to be getting very mixed reviews. I don't know if we are flying on it or not at the moment.

 

Some of the onboard organization sounds a bit shambolic and there needs to be a rethink of their "loyalty/reward scheme". I call it a scheme for lack of a better word or better understanding of what it actually is. It has been the subject of quite a lot of discussion on here recently as you will have seen.

 

It seems the food on the Dream is still not up to scratch and all things considered for the right itinerary and price we would also return on her. Like you, we think things are not the same.

 

I am glad you enjoyed the overall experience. We followed a lot of it wistfully on webcams on FB. It is difficult not to enjoy a cruise, especially one with a fantastic itinerary like that one. No doubt you will be telling us soon about your next one ;) :D

[skioncruises]

Hi Little Nell

 

Although it was only just over 3 and a half hours to Manchester Airport it really was worth it. We also had the advantage of Senior Rail Cards (£30 each) and booked when the tickets came online 12 weeks before travel and managed to get them at the cheapest price.:D Unfortuntely the Rail Cards did not get used for the return journey so lost out there as I don't think they will be used again in the next 11 months.

 

DH was on the phone this morning and mentioned something I had forgotten. Thomson at the capers - There were certain opportunities to enter a draw and win a prize. Sometimes it was a trip or a meal. The catch was it was only for one person so then whoever won would have to buy the other trip/meal. Another way to cash in.:eek:

 

Have had a look at the itineraries but not decided yet. We usually have a holiday October/November time so trying to decide on itineraries. Have also looked at next May time and found a couple that appeal. Will keep you posted.:D

 

If you need any more info re rail travel let me know.

 

Jan:)

Edited May 11, 2014 by skioncruises
spelling errors!

[Little Nell]

Thanks, Jan.

 

I will get in touch nearer the time for some info on the trains.

 

What on earth are they thinking about a prize for one :eek: If it were for two I am sure more people would buy tickets!! These sort of decisions leave them open to criticism.

 

I think they need a fresh look at their public relations to develop a way of actually finding out what people think as their end of cruise questionnaire doesn't fit the bill.

[skioncruises]

Hi Little Nell

 

They weren't buying tickets. One occasion I can quote is the first day at sea when the Destinations Team were doing their port showcase. Everybody had to put their name and cabin number on a piece of paper and at the end the draw was made and it was a trip to ... but only for one person.:eek:

 

We happened to walk by on several occasions during the cruise at the end of something that had been going on and heard "cabin no .... has won a meal for one/treatment for one" or whatever was going on that day.

 

That's as bad as my being given a gesture of goodwill to pick seats on the flight for the change of times we were never told about, and then when the day comes to select seats find there is only one reserved - for me:eek: DH had not been allocated a seat and after numerous phone calls and being given the run around, including the very first one where the bloke was only interested in selling me a drinks package. Oh boy did that create a disturbed hornets nest. I didn't dare start telling everyone about it. Probably why we kept getting all these unwanted pressies.:eek:

 

You're right about the questionnaire - it bears no resemblance to what has gone on either before, during or after. Just wish there were comments boxes beside each question.

:)

Edited May 11, 2014 by skioncruises

[Little Nell]

Oh don't tell me any more :eek: It gets worse and worse.

 

They really are managing to upset a lot of their regular customers.

 

I assumed they were selling tickets. I believe that happens on the American ships. Better not give them ideas :rolleyes:

[jingles29]

We are just back from The Spirit and the prize draw at port showcase was for 2 tickets for the excursion of your choice .

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Hi Jan, glad you had a good time, despite the unwanted gifts and relentless selling. Sounds like Thomson have been taking some lessons from RCI ;)

 

I was very interested to read your review as it mirrored my view of the Dream this time last year. I won't mention the "you know what" but was sorry to hear there was a lot of chest infections etc on board. Hope you are feeling better now :)

 

I have to agree about the show team, not sure if it is the same team, probably not, but we felt they were nowhere near as good as the team we had seen on the Majesty two months before.

 

Oh! I so agree with you about the food! Apart from the fact that it was not as good as usual, neither DH nor I like big portions. In fact, I actually prefer the buffet, so you can have what you want. I do find that in the dining room, if you leave anything, the waiters will ask if there is something wrong and try to bring you more food :eek: When I see the amount some people put on their plate, it makes me feel ill :rolleyes:

 

I don't think we saw many officers when we were on either, probably keeping a low profile due to all the illness on board (oops, promised not to mention that :o:D )

 

I don't think we will be going back on the Dream and reading some of the recent reviews, I should say we definitely won't be.

[kruzseeka]

We are just back from The Spirit and the prize draw at port showcase was for 2 tickets for the excursion of your choice .

 

 

Louis do it better.....again! :rolleyes:

[kruzseeka]

Thanks, Jan.

 

I will get in touch nearer the time for some info on the trains.

 

I think they need a fresh look at their public relations to develop a way of actually finding out what people think as their end of cruise questionnaire doesn't fit the bill.

 

There is a relatively new discount card available on trains called the Two Together card or something like that. It's £30 for two of you for the year and is an alternative for the Seniors Card which are £30 each. Might be worth looking into Little Nell when the time comes.

 

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr83ccf28cfc400abe711a40cc6dd9d4.aspx

 

Look at their PR - how right you are! You couldn't make some of it up could you? :rolleyes:

Edited May 11, 2014 by kruzseeka

[holiday ahoy]

We are just back from The Spirit and the prize draw at port showcase was for 2 tickets for the excursion of your choice .

 

That sounds ok Jingles, where you the lucky ones?

How did you find the Spirit? And the Showteam?

[Little Nell]

There is a relatively new discount card available on trains called the Two Together card or something like that. It's £30 for two of you for the year and is an alternative for the Seniors Card which are £30 each. Might be worth looking into Little Nell when the time comes.

 

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr83ccf28cfc400abe711a40cc6dd9d4.aspx

 

Look at their PR - how right you are! You couldn't make some of it up could you? :rolleyes:

 

Thanks, Kruzseeka, my neighbours gave me a copy of the leaflet advertising it, so we will wait to buy it until we are doing a journey together.

 

We don't often travel by train together, except for odd days out and holidays, so we want to make it worth our while ;)

 

For us, though it is a great deal :)

Edited May 11, 2014 by Little Nell

[goonersue]

We were on the Celebration just before Easter, and we had no escort to our cabins either. All we had was a cleaner standing at the lift telling us which floor we were on, and then pointing to the stairs!

 

Not as bad for us as we had been on before, but not good for first-timers. Our daughter, her partner and her daughter were first-timers and had no idea to go. Lucky they were with us!

[joeholiday2]

Louis do it better.....again! :rolleyes:

 

 

Couldn't have put it better....

 

No real hard sell on Majesty last month, certainly a lot less intrusive than we have had on the Dream in the past. She's our favourite ship right now.

 

Glad you enjoyed it Jan, keep looking for the next one:D