Thomson Dream

Owned by Costa Cruises, the MS Thomson Dream is currently being operated - as part of a ten-year charter - by Thomson Cruises.

The ship was built in 1986 and was originally named the MS Homeric. It has also sailed under the names MS Westerdam and, most recently, the Costa Europa.

In 1990, the vessel underwent substantial refurbishment work, which included a 36.9 metre mid-ship extension. This made space for some additional cabins, as well as more public spaces.

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Thomson acquired the liner in April 2010 and it is now the largest ship in the fleet. It's an extremely stylish vessel, with a number of classic design elements like teak decks, a magrodome over the main swimming pool and a sharply pointed hull.

During the summer months, the Thomson Dream offers Mediterranean cruises, with ports of call including Florence, Barcelona, Palermo and Corsica. For the winter, the ship tours the Canary Islands and also travels across the Atlantic for Caribbean cruises.

The ship is equipped with a kids' zone, however, depending on the time of year, some cruises are exclusively for adults. This is generally during June, July and September, and can be a welcome change for those seeking peaceful grown-up time during their voyage.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 1,756
Year entered service: 1986
Beam (ship width): 95.1 feet
Draught (ship depth): 23.6 feet
Length: 797.9 feet
Tonnage: 54,763
Crew: 650
Maximum speed: 20 knots
Number of passenger decks: 9
Number of lifts: 7
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 753

Food, cuisine and dining

The Orion Restaurant is the main eatery on the Thomson Dream. It offers open seating for three meals a day, allowing passengers complete freedom when it comes to what time they eat. Dinners generally require smart or formal attire and are lavish six-course feasts, with a wide range of options, from international fare, through to traditional British favourites.

If you'd prefer a casual, self-serve meal, there are three buffets to choose from. The Andromeda is open 24 hours a day, while Siren's is a smaller venue that serves breakfast and lunch. There's also the Terrace Grill, which offers fast food style fare such as barbecue burgers and pizza for an al fresco meal or snack.

The alternative restaurant is The Grill, which has a highly trained waiting staff and serves delicious steaks and seafood. There is an additional fee for dining in this venue and reservations are generally required.

On-board entertainment and activities

If you love to enjoy a show during a cruise, then the Thomson Dream won't disappoint. Its Atlante Theatre is a two-storey venue that offers a variety of acts throughout every voyage. With options ranging from West-End musicals to comedy routines, and even educational lectures during the day, there's sure to be something for everyone.

The two other lounges on the ship offer live music and provide a place for you to sit back, relax and take in the ambience. The Medusa Lounge is usually a bit livelier, with a dance floor, as well as cabaret acts and competitions. Alternatively, the Argo Lounge generally features classical music and a more tranquil setting.

Gambling is a favourite cruise activity and the casino offers a range of blackjack tables and slot machines if you're feeling a bit lucky.

And if you want to dance the night away, the Ladonte Disco is the place to be - it also hosts karaoke and various musical and dancing performances.

Other bars on the ship include the Delo bar, where you can get your favourite cocktail, the Ocean Bar in the centre of the ship and the poolside Lido Bar.

Spas and fitness facilities

The spa facilities on the Thomson Dream are fairly limited. The Nereidi Fitness Centre has a number of exercise machines, for both cardio and resistance workouts. There's no steam room, but there is a sauna and the two whirlpools can help you relax.

If you'd like a massage, there are a couple of treatment rooms, while the beauty salon offers hair styling, manicures, pedicures and facials.

Alternatively, the ship is home to two swimming pools, while the sports court has space for basketball, tennis, volleyball and football - perfect for a bit of exercise.

Meanwhile, bicycle tours are available at certain ports of call, offering an ideal option for those who want to see the sights and get a workout at the same time.

Cabins

When booking a room on the Thomson Dream, you'll have more than 750 options to choose from.

These vary in price, depending on the size and amenities of each accommodation. With six different cost categories to choose from, there's sure to be something for every requirement, whether you're looking for a spacious and luxurious suite, or would prefer to save some money with a cruise deal in a smaller stateroom.

If you would like to select a specific cabin, rather than just a price grade, this can be done for an added fee. This is ideal if you're travelling with a group of friends and would like your rooms to be near to each other or if you're interested in your accommodation being located close to a specific venue on the ship.