|
This was our 1st ever cruise so we had open minds despite doing the usual reading and checking up on the Thomson Dream.
We were there to celebrate my 50Th birthday.
Well all we can say is fantastic!
That is to say we have never had a holiday like it and have certainly got the cruise bug now.
I have read poor reviews and bad reviews both before and just after we returned and i know that a lot can come down to either just bad luck or what i would call too fussy a person.
Our holiday started with a flight from Manchester, this was delayed for an hour but time was made up on the flight so we landed on-time. Straight off the plane onto a coach and to the ship, brilliant, no usual procedures there.
On arrival in Bridgetown we arrived at the check in point, this is fare to say just a warehouse fitted out with check in desks etc.
The process was fare but some queuing had to be done to go though. Plenty of hand sanitising which we would experience quite a lot on our cruise.
A picture was taken of us and our boarding cards issued.
Next a boarding picture was taken and onto the boarding process.
On boarding the ship at deck 4 we were met with staff who once scanned through assisted us to our cabin.
This seemed a long route but would later through numerous disembarkation's and embarkations seem normal.
Our cabin 7135 was on the starboard side on deck 7, this was just below the entertainment deck 8 and 2 below the main pool and Lido deck 9.
On entering our cabin our first impression was wow. we did not know what really to expect although you see the brochure pictures. We had ordered champagne, flowers and strawberries.
There were some signs of ageing, some minor decoration deterioration, but lets face it this is an old ship. We did not expect gold fittings or silk sheets.
Our cabin steward introduced himself (Don Don)
We arrived on board approx 1 hour before the emergency drill. This was a great experience as what had happened before, so a lot of minds were put at ease.
I must say we were disappointed that a number of passengers did not attend the drill!
We explored the ship throughout our holiday, never having a moment of unhappiness, upset, anger or complaint.
We thought the food was excellent, we ate mainly at the Lido restaurant but did try both the Orion and Sirens restaurants but these were not to our liking.
We got off the ship at every port either just to look around or try the beaches.
The people on every island were so friendly and helpful.
We had many a great time just chilling out.
Both days at sea were great apart from that you were lucky to get a sun bed unless you got up at god knows what time to reserve one!
We cannot say enough about the ships crew, everyone we saw, spoke to or was helped by gave it all with a smile. The crew work so hard it seems like they never stop.
Most remember your names, the waitresses on a night and during the day used to make us smile with their sense of fun and friendliness.
Prices on board were very reasonable, especially the duty free drink!
By the end of our cruise we did not want to come home.
We met a lot of like minded other cruise couples and would say they all felt the same.
A lot of couples who had cruised on other ships said this was the best they had experienced against as with larger ships and we could only agree.
We never suffered any illness, although we did ensure we made full use of the sanitising gel and washed our hands. Sadly there are always guests who i9 think are above this and were quite visible in entering restaurants without using the hand gel!
There were some times when you got smells of sewerage, this seemed to be on port days when docked up. We never had any problems with our cabin, bathroom or any of the facilities on the ship when used.
We never had any issues with our cabin or the plumbing in the bathroom, but understood that some others had, so it goes back to what i said at the beginning and down to possible bad luck i think!
Overall were we happy with what we got - Yes very much so
Would we cruise on the Dream again or with Thomson - Yes
To any other 1st time cruisers out there, in our opinion you would not do any wrong in trying this ship for your 1st cruise.
|
