Thomson Cruises

Until now, a British cruise that offers excellent monetary value for Australians has been about as easy to come by as an honest politician. Just two months ago Thomson Cruise Line - part of the world's largest travel group, TUI - started selling cruises to Australians through Sydney-based sales agent Creative Cruising Group. And it is enticing its new market with all-inclusive packages in Australian dollars, which cover drinks (yes, that does include alcoholic beverages), transfers from England to UK ports and cruise-and-stay deals.

Thomson, which already holds the prestigious title of "number one tour operator in the UK", provides holidays for almost four million people every year. No surprise then that the company is on the cutting edge of the fastest growing sector of the travel industry - cruising. Thomson currently operates a fleet of four ships, including two new additions - Thomson Destiny, which joined the fleet this year - and Thomson Celebration, which will make her maiden voyage with Thomson out of the UK in May 2005. Between them, the ships cover the Caribbean, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, North Africa, Far East and South America on interesting itineraries that range from three to 14 nights.

When it entered the cruise market in 1996, Thomson Cruises had just one ship, Sapphire. According to the cruise line, UK cruisers were so impressed with the ship's facilities and service that the following year the company acquired another - The Emerald. Over the next three years Thomson Cruises grew its capacity by about 700 percent with new fleet members Island Breeze and Topaz, making it the UK's second largest cruise operator. Then in 2003 the cruise line launched what was to become a passenger favourite, Thomson Spirit. Today Thomson Cruises holds about 15 percent of the British cruise market and carries about 145,000 passengers a year.

As well as acquiring two new ships, this year the company also commissioned UK personality Linda Barker - famous for designing room interiors on British television - to completely redesign the suites on board Thomson Spirit. Following her successful summer in Majorca, Thomson Cruises has announced that Thomson Spirit will return to Palma to sail Western Mediterranean itineraries in 2005. The cruise line has also announced the addition of Norway, the Arctic and the Baltic to its 2005 programme, and that it will be operating out of the three English ports of Southampton, Newcastle and Harwich for the first time.

"We have been operating fly-cruises to the Mediterranean for eight years and throughout that time, travel agents and customers alike have been asking us when Thomson is going to operate cruises to Northern Europe and the Baltic," said the Managing Director of Thomson Holidays, Chris Mottershead, All in all Thomson's fly-cruise packages represent very good value for Australians, according to Creative Cruising's Managing Director, Ernie Skalsky. "Thomson Cruises is able to offer excellent value holidays to Australians and because it is such a large company in the UK, it can put together great cruise and stay packages too," he said. "The cruises where liquor and beverages are included will also be attractive to Australians as bar bills can escalate quickly, especially if paying in pounds sterling," It would appear that Thomson has an attractive product to offer, but the British cruising experience may not be every Aussie's cup of tea.

Entertainment

After a sun-downer on deck, passengers can spend their evening relaxing with friends at the bar, catching a movie at the cinema, trying their luck in the casino or working off dinner on the dance floor. Every night there is also a choice of live entertainment: a Broadway-style production in the main showlounge or live bands, pianists and comedians. Thomson guarantees that on a 14-night cruise, passengers won't see the same show twice.

What To Wear

Guests will need to pack more than their board shorts and thongs - most British ships tend to have more formal dress codes and the Thomson fleet is no exception. By day the mood is casual but after 6.00pm standard dress becomes long pants for men and smart-casual wear for women. And everyone dresses up on Gala nights, with men in a jacket and tie or dinner jacket, and evening/cocktail dress for ladies.

The Dining Experience

There are two sittings on Thomson Destiny and The Emerald, whereas Thomson Celebration and Thomson Spirit have no set sittings except on Gala nights when dining room seating is allocated. Main restaurants are all non-smoking (there are, however, designated areas on the ship for smokers). Each ship offers the choice between waiter service restaurants, or more casual buffet-style dining. Thomson Spirit passengers can enjoy an la carte restaurant, Sirocco, at extra charge and on board reservations are required. Kids are offered their own menu with more child-friendly selections and smaller portions.

Money Matters

Fares for a Thomson cruise include all port taxes, the services of a Kidzone representative, return flights from London on round-trip cruises from Corfu, Palma (Palma de Mallorca) and Tenerife (Canary Islands) where indicated, crew tips and full liquor and beverage packages on some cruises. Each ship runs a cashless accounts system, so all purchases are charged to the passenger's cabin account and settled at the end of the cruise by cash or card. Currency aboard is in pounds sterling.

Cruising With Kids

Thomson Destiny, Thomson Spirit and The Emerald offer a Kidzone club, with a range of daily activities organised by qualified children's hosts. The clubs are divided into Tots for three-to-five year olds, Team for six-to-eight year olds and Tribe for nine-to-12 year olds. Kids can be amused up to two hours each day with games and activities, five days a week and three evenings a week. Children are welcome at activities as long as a parent or guardian is on the ship.

Thomson Cruises doesn't recommend Eastern Mediterranean shore excursions or cultural tours for children under six years old. But excursions at most ports in the Western Mediterranean are suitable for kids.

Written by Sue Pollard - 18 Summer 2004