Let me be clear from the outset - This was the second cruise my wife and I have been on, and the last one was 15 years ago on the Thomson Topaz which is best described as a rowing boat with staff. So if you're looking for a review that compares the Thomson Dream with the Oriana, you're likely to be disappointed. What I can do is to compare my all-inclusive 7-night experience with other all-inclusive or caribbean holidays we have been on.
Firstly, when you get to the airport, they will tag your case with your cabin number...so have a plan of the ship with you and you'll see where you are (sad eh?). the next time you see your cases is when they arrive at your cabin, not long after you do. We flew into Barbados, got off the plane, straight onto a bus and to the ship...no airport customs.
I won't mention the Thomson flight (cramped if you don't pay for an upgrade) and the poor selection of movies (Marley & Me....in Jan 2013 - really??), and I will ignore the fact that our bus was hit by a car in Bridgetown - Put it down to experience. The flight home was the normal overnight, nightmare return journey from a long haul coupled with landing at Manchester in a blizzard dressed only in deck shoes and budgie smugglers.