Thomson Cruises, Thomson Destiny

This was our first cruise, and overall the holiday was excellent we all had a fanastic time, after hearing reviews of cruising we went with an open mind and found the destiny to be an overall sucess, the entertainment, the service, food and staff were all very brilliant and made the holiday even better. The inside cabin was very tiny and not a lot of space, in future references from my expereince i will upgrade next time but to their advantage they were always very clean and the house keeping staff did a superb job! The destinations were all very great, and we took some trips with the cruise which were all very well organised, and worth the money. Had a Great time and i would definalty book another cruise with Thomson.

this was our very first cruise and everything about it was out of this world staff were fantastic could not do enough 4 u we treated like kings food and drinks were fantastic so much so we have booked 2 go back on the ship 4 new year 2011 cannot wait

It was our first cruise and after reading some bad reviews we were aprehensive and went with an open mind!! it was fantastic the food the staff the whole experience was great. the trips were a bit overpriced and you could do your own for much cheaper and better, would deffo do another with thompsom they are very well organised.

We didn't like the Destiny at all! We had a cruise last year on the Thomson Spirit which we really enjoyed. The dining areas were lovely, the food was excellent and the entertainment was first class. That is why we decided to do another Thomson cruise but it will be the last one we take. The enterainment was not good at all - we've had better at Pontins at much cheaper price! The self service 'restuarant' was cold and not very welcoming. The drinks were ridiculously priced, £7 for a glass of mediocre white wine!! We were offered an all inclusive deal at £ 320 pounds which we didn't take as we're not big drinkers anyway but there were other people who had all inclusive at £49 . It was freezing cold in the Can-Can lounge. I had to wear a cardigan and wrap over my evening dress just to be comfortable.

The toilets kept blocking up and the swimming pool had to be emptied twice because it had been contaminated by sewage - once just as my husband got out which was quite worrying.

The redeeming feature was that the staff were friendly and the weather was very good which made our day trip and days at shore enjoyable.

Mrs M Pimm

We were first time cruisers and we had a fantastic holiday. We went on holiday on the Destiny with an open mind (after reading some of the reviews). Yes the Destiny is an old ship, but is kept immaculately clean. Staff, food, entertainment, all excellent. We found the passengers on board very friendly and all up for a good time. The destinations were all excellent, we took some trips which were very well organised, and we felt were worth the money. We really enjoyed Captains night, most people made the effort to dress smartly. Our teen aged kids really enjoyed the holiday too, there was alot of teenagers on board and they all seemed to enjoy activities on board. Really enjoyed our holiday and would cruise again with Thomsons.

The Thomson destiny disaster cruise. We decided to book one of the deluxe balcony suites, on the island escape after booking 10 months in advance we were looking very much forward to the cruise for 8 and a half months. 1st thing that went wrong was a thomson agent phoned saying our ship had been recalled for refubishment and we had the choice to change to the destiny (sailing the same time we had booked off work) or our money back, hobsons choice really. We were promised priority checkin by thomson and that we wouldnt have to queue to board the ship on our arrival because of the luxury cabin we had booked, At the port side we were told to queue like the rest as theres no priority checkin by this white suited arrogant crews officer. (didnt go down well as we had just waited for our lugage for an hour at palma airport.) On arrival at our suite 1st impressions were ok apart from the sellotape holding the wall light shades together as they were both broke in half,and the balcony french doors wouldnt shut properly so at sea this constantly whistled, on rough sea days the wardrobe and fridge cupboard doors kept opening and banging shut. not designed for a ship. also the radio was faulty. on the plus side our housekeeper was exellent (helen) and kept it ship shape and bristol fashion. seven seas dinning was a very rushed affair although the waiters were very pleasant. The food served was poor quality, badly cooked and weired concoctions. (melon with mint?) and there wasnt much choice, The lido cafe and grill was very poor, cold and transport cafe food, no tea or coffee making facillities at the lido grill, have to walk to other end to get one, and afternoon cream tea was very disapointing every day it was exactly the same weired plain scones butter biscuits and plain buns. on the up side we'd like to thank thomson for helping us to lose weight. we cannot blame thomson for the dull weather,but on the only sunny day we would have liked to go in the pool but low and behold the crew had decided to paint it, so we sat on the sun beds sipping mocktails with the wonderful added extra of paint fumes wafting in the air. Blakes bar apart from the fact that the whole evening long every single night the same act was on elena along with the shabby leather thread burn seats and square boxes covered in sticky back plastic peeling off in short morose act and atmosphere. cancan/oklahoma lounge the entertainment at best was amateurish maplins style, apart from one act the Comedian Buster who had us laughing on and off the stage, was a scream in the casino losing money together and singing to the carpenters. (Thanks Buster!)

We found the same thing repeated every night with the same people i.e zeal in oklahoma and top harmony in the clipper bar all week was all the same every day, apart from the first night the sail away party on the top lido deck party atmosphere loads of singing and dancing up there, didnt do it any other night! Almost every day we docked late in the ports we visited ie friday over an hour late so we had to dock outside the inner port in the industrial part of the port of barcelona, so our view was concrete silos, fork lift trucks, huge containers and workmen moving them about, we also had to pay extra to actually get to barcelona 10 euros in a taxi or queue (again. all weve ever seamed to do ) for 30 mins to get on a bus, The ship at best was dogged old and well past its sailed by date. after surviving the week we were told to leave our cases outside our cabins at 8'45 before we disembark and they would be taken off for us. At 9.30 on dock side we found our luggage,. One of our brand new cases had been smashed to bits. the bottom leg had been broke off. were the handle holder conects to the case snapped off and when you pull the handle up it came completely out of its sockets, therefore i had to carry this everywhere as i could not wheel it, if we'd have known they were going to throw them off the 8th deck, we would have carried them off ourselves, and when we told the white suited arrogant crew officer what had happened his responce was, "what do you want me to do about it,"! all in all our experience of this cruise was dire we would never book with thomson again not even for a day trip to blackpool. If you like carry on maplins style cruises at the same time paying top dosh, then this is the cruise for you. we feel cheated and conned which is not how you should feel after an holiday. Marks out of 10.......1

We had a great holiday aboard the Destiny cruise ship. This is our third cruise and cannot fault Thomson ships at all. Every member of staff were very friendly and helpful. The entertainment was fabulous and special thanks for a great time to Paul and Dave who entertained us every day. Food was great. Only fault was cabins a bit small but adequate as only sleeping in them. Would recommend this ship for a couples holiday as well as families. Noticed that kids were all so well looked after by the Kidz Zone team (even though we didn't have children with us). Welldone to Thomsons. Thanks again.

This was our first cruise and it will not be our last. The ship is dated and tired looking but, the amazing crew make up for all that. The food is fine and the entertainment can be great to so-so. the big problem is the cabin... tiny, though very clean and house keeping are stars. The locations are spot on mostly.. Livorno was like going to Bootle Docks..however it did lead to Florence. The reception had maps if you weren't using their trips.. very helpful. We loved the cruise and were sorry to leave.

R and N Liverpool. PS Thomson include a very good brochure with your tickets,luggage tags and info about tours and ship.

As a first time cruiser with my family, as i was a little apprehensive about taking 3 children (7,4 & 1) on board a ship, where their entertainment would be limited.

Though having just returned from sailing aboard the thompson destiny, my apprehension was unfounded. The cabin was extremely comfortable, and cleaned twice daily. The food was excellent and plenty of variety for fussy children, in all restaurants.

The staff were friendly and made a fuss of my children, and making animals out of the napkins for them in the morning at breakfast.

The entertainment was excellent and of broadway standard and on some nights exceedingly superior. We did not use the facilities of the club for the children (so i am unable to comment of this) as they did not wat to join the club.

Myself and my family normally travel to known locations, but found this cruise, both educational aswell as enjoyable to all the varying locations in one week.

A highly recommended holiday, for both adults and families alike......

This was our first cruise and really did not know what to expect. it was for our 25th wedding anniversary and was looking for something a bit different. We had the time of our lives. Probably the best holiday ever.I don't usually do reviews but I was compelled to let others know what is on offer here.This must be the friendliest crew and the happiest bunch of holiday makers I have had the pleasure to meet. We are both well traveled and have done a number of holidays all over the world so please take note. So the ship is old. 27 years to be precise. But it soon become an old friend and we called it home. Yes it needs a refit and it is not like the big old super cruisers, it has heart and is so clean you could eat your dinner off any part. the cabins are small but how long to you stay in them. The shower had me in stitches every time I used it and i got a great nights sleep every night. I see complaints about the engine noise. No issues here, most of the time we forgot we were on a ship. The food was fantastic and runs from 7am until 2am the next day in a number of catering outlets. The staff are magic. thanks to Big Willy and Zaw in the seven seas each night we laughed and laughed, this was a show on its own. I would have paid west end prices to see the shows in the can can lounge, they were excellent. The entertainment team was professional and went out of there way even completing port walks to avoid us having to do some tours. The waiting staff were always on the ball when delivering your drinks to your table, I only went to the bar once in seven days. To say Thomson have got this package right is an understatement. We are going back next year and hope to meet again all the wonderful friends we made. If you are lucky enough to go on this ship keep an eye out for the towel animals made each night by the cabin staff. We swapped photos each night with our table friends and had competitions on who had the best. One word of warning. If you don't mix with others well or are a miserable person, don't go, you will just ruin it for the people who like a good laugh. Thomson have thought it all out and nothing is a problem for anyone on board. They are there to help and they do. There is no tipping and no expectation from you. I gave our cleaner 20 euros on our last day and got a hug. This ship is full of UK inhabitants and yes getting a sun bed is no problem. If you want a ship with over two thousand people and a climbing wall that is full of Germans go on another super liner, this is not for you.