Thomson Celebration

Built in 1984 at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France, the MS Thomson Celebration was originally constructed for the Holland America Line and was the third vessel to be known as the MS Noordam.

In 2005, Thomson Cruises acquired the vessel and gave it a complete refurbishment, updating the decor and adding various public rooms. Once the work was done, the vessel was re-christened and its name was changed to the Celebration.

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The Celebration travels to a wide range of destinations and a popular itinerary takes passengers to ports in the eastern Mediterranean like Marmaris, Istanbul, Athens, Crete, Kusadasi, Rhodes and Mykonos. Other destinations include Alexandria, Cairo, Jerusalem and Sharm el Sheikh.

Since Thomson Holidays also operates an airline, the company often provides complete packages that include airfare, cruises and hotels at affordable rates. This makes them an ideal choice for those seeking low-cost cruise deals.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 1,350
Year entered service: 1984
Beam (ship width): 89.4 feet
Draught (ship depth): 24.2 feet
Length: 704.2 feet
Tonnage: 33,930
Crew: 520
Maximum speed: 21 knots
Number of passenger decks: 10
Number of lifts: 7
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 627

Food, cuisine and dining

The Celebration features a number of fabulous restaurants, all of which offer delicious cuisine and lovely atmospheres.

Located at the centre of the ship, the Meridian Restaurant is the main dining room. It serves three meals a day and all are offered on an open-seating basis - so you can choose when, where and with whom you would like to eat.

Formal nights are held during most cruises and on those evenings, there are two set dinner services at the Meridian. There's also a Captain's Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner, which is held once a week.

Mistral's is another restaurant. It's a cosy and trendy location with space for around 50 guests. The menu includes a number of a la carte dishes and there is an additional charge to eat there.

If you prefer something a bit more casual, the Lido Restaurant is a self-service buffet that's available 24 hours a day. It's a popular spot for a late-night snack and, during the day, fare includes everything from sandwiches and salads to chicken and meat dishes, seafood and international items.

The Terrace Grill serves lunch and its menu includes mouth-watering items like burgers and pizza. Room service is also available at all hours.

On-board entertainment and activities

If you're looking for a drink, or simply a place to sit back and relax, the Horizons Bar is the place to go. Located near the top of the ship, it offers breathtaking views and some delicious cocktails. Live music is also common in this venue, while karaoke competitions and late-night discos can also be found here.

Thomson is known for providing vibrant shows on its cruises and this is certainly true on the Celebration. The Broadway Showlounge is a large venue that spans two decks and can seat 600 guests - about half of the passengers on a fully-booked voyage.

Large-scale productions are the norm, while other acts can include cabaret - often put on by crew members who love to perform - as well as comedy acts and concerts.

Another option is Hemingway's, a more intimate venue that hosts smaller acts, quizzes and game shows, as well as late-night dancing.

The ship is home to a cinema that shows recent films, a casino and a card room. There's also a library, a reading room and an internet cafe. In addition, a gift shop is located on the vessel, where you can pick up duty-free goods and souvenirs.

Facilities for children include the Kidzone, which offers activities for kids in three different age groups. The programme is organised by qualified hosts and there's also a large play area.

Spas and fitness facilities

The Oceans Health Club is an elegant, two-storey facility that offers everything you need to feel pampered and rejuvenated. Indulgent treatments can be booked to leave your entire body relaxed - from Indian head massages and aromatherapy through to body wraps and foot massages.

A fully equipped gym is also available, which features a wide range of cardio and resistance machines. Meanwhile, there are men's and women's saunas and an aerobics studio.

The Sports deck is a popular place for those who like to workout in the fresh air and there's a multi-sports court that offers options like basketball, badminton and tennis. Alternatively, you could go for a swim in one of the two pools or unwind in the whirlpool.

Elsewhere on the vessel, there's a salon that offers treatments like facials, pedicures and manicures.

Cabins

When choosing accommodation on the Celebration, you'll have a number of options to choose from - and the right choice will depend on things like the number of people you're travelling with, the types of amenities you want included and your budget.

The Celebration has 627 rooms and the majority of these have outside views, but there are no rooms with private balconies. Suites are quite spacious and include a king size bed, a mini bar and a sofa that converts to a bed. All rooms are equipped with a television, en-suite bathroom and a personal safe.