Splendour to Join Thomson

ibThe news that Royal Caribbean have decided to sell Splendour of the Seas to Thomson Cruises was, I suppose, not really a surprise. Splendour has been a much loved and loyal member of their fleet since 1996 and has, in the last few years been based in Europe doing some lovely itineraries out of Venice. At 19 years old she is getting on a bit, but I suspect many people will be really sorry to see her go as the newer larger ships take over, Royal have 4 more planned at the moment, but they really do need to remember that bigger is not always better.

As for Thomson I suspect this is a vfie ery clever move, and she surely must become Thomson Splendour and the flagship of their fleet.  Now I used to work for Thomson overseas  and, I have to say, that they are the best at most things they do. Certainly for Nile Cruises they are the best value around, they are not in same league as the Abercrombie and Kent`s of this World, but as a 4 star product they are the best there is. Ocean cruising is a different matter altogether though.

To be fair I have never been on a Thomson cruise, but I have booked plenty and spoken to many people who have sailed with them , and it appears to be that you either love them or hate them with a vengeance. Sail with them on your first cruise and everything will probably be fine. Choose to cruise with them after sailing with say Celebrity or Royal Caribbean then its probably a different matter.

Very British in style and atmosphere, dare  I say a bit ” Butlins with sun”, the ships are old and 3 star, the food seems well liked, the All Inclusive option is well priced and gratuities are included which always goes down well. The itineraries are all starting to look very familiar but if you want some winter sun then the Canaries ones are always a good option.

I have a client who regularly cruises with many different cruise lines who tried Thomson them in the Caribbean for the first time in January, he felt he had a good price, had spoken to people who loved them,  and was even talking about booking another cruise with them – until he came back!

He hated it – said it was the worst cruise he`d ever been on, food was awful, cabin was small and tatty, oh and the weather was dreadful too – not that there was much Thomson could do about that! Worse he then said that some people who had never cruised before hated it too and said if this was cruising then never again!

If ships had feelings I wonder what Splendour would  be thinking ? Hopefully she will say – right I am going to be just as beautiful and successful in my new role, and I`ll be the best Thomson ship ever. As I said a shrewd move I suspect, because Splendour is in a different league to her new sisters!