Cruise Reviews

Red Sea Cruise

Reviewed By: wright, Farnborough on 25th Mar 2008
Cruise Line: Thomson Cruises Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Thomson Celebration Sailed: February, 2007
Destination: Red Sea Age: 46-55
This was certainly the best value for money we have ever had on a cruise. Having travelled on Thomson Spirit the Celebration seemed very familiar. The ship is deceptively modern given its age and background! We booked a state room at the pointed end, on the promenade deck. The room was spacious and even had enough storage room for my wife's ball gowns. Comfortable and well decorated (Thomson have done a very good job covering over the former dark and dull decor of this former Holland and America ship. The ship comes from an age when it is big enough to have everything you need - whilst not needing a GPS and map to get around. The service is good and friendly - many of the crew remembering us from earlier adventures.

The itinerary was very good. We particularly liked Petra, having done Egypt a number of times before we decided to only do one trip - Cairo by night. With the added excitement of the coach breaking down in the middle of the desert - to be fair Thomson handled the situation extremely well and a replacement coach was soon on site.

Like all budget tour operators you need to be prepared for ports that are not in top bracket. Usually you will find yourself in a container port or similar. Still the spectacle of seeing 500 Egyptian workers descending like a hoard of ants on containers as they returned from Saudi was a tremendous experience.

The food is always excellent. And unlike some British ships the ambience is not pompous. If you want Bingo and cafeteria food thats fine. If you want good shows and fine food - that is also fine. Thomson make everyone feel at home and provie an excellent introductgion for first time cruisers. We like them because we know exactly what we will get for the price we have paid.
Quality of Food4
The main restruant - ate a lot of seafood
Entertainment4
The deputy cruise manager was a better singer than most professionals
Shore Excursions5
Petra is unforgetable
Staff4
The Captain - forget formal deals this guy jsut walked around the ship and spoke to everyone
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activitiesn/a
Excellent but not for us - we just like to relax
Cabins5
Overall Rating5
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Canning, Mansfield (13 Apr 08 18:24) about this REVIEW.
Our first cruise was on the Celebration and what a great holiday we had. For a first cruise it is excellent. Friendly staff, excellent food. Shows are very professional. The all inclusive upgrade made our holiday, I would strongly recommend this ship to anyone of any age
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Opinion: Agree Comment by MCINTYRE of BALLA, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE (08 Apr 08 21:03) about this REVIEW.
Trouble is there are too many pompous people moaning about it, you know the type they sit there all night with 1 drink and complain that its not as good as the Q E 2. Ten out of ten Thomsons for giving the rest of us what we like so much and nevermind them they couldnt enjoy themselves anywhere
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