We booked our 13 night cruise in a Thomson store after considering several cruise companies offering Baltic itineraries. We chose the Baltic Highlights cruise, as it had fewer days at sea than other companies and left from the U.K. After booking we had a few questions and we found the staff advertised by Thomson as ‘Cruise Specialists’ had less knowledge than ourselves and we had only read the brochure! Finding out details about the cruise was a nightmare whether in store (unknowledgeable), over the phone (try getting someone to answer) or e-mail (answered only part of our queries). We even considered cancelling as we were worried that this was a reflection of the same treatment we would receive on board. However, family and friends who had cruised with Thomson told us it would be fine once onboard. We had cruised on Oceana with P&O the previous year around the Med and thoroughly enjoyed it. They seemed to understand that the planning and anticipation of your holiday is an important part of your experience. We were sent lots of information including a personalised cruise itinerary booklet, luggage labels, a map of the ship, port directions etc. With Thomson we received nothing personalised to our cruise, all information was for fly-cruise even on the website. Two weeks before the cruise we received an e-mail saying that we should receive a call from the store to collect our tickets two weeks before our holiday. I left it a few days, but heard nothing, so rang the store. The tickets were there, but no-one had informed us. Even the information on the tickets was for a fly-cruise and the port information/map didn’t even have a postcode to enable us to plan our route.Arrival

We arrived at the Port of Tyne Passenger Terminal (after 1st arriving at the Port of Tyne Dock by mistake) to find many members of staff directing us to luggage drop off. Here Thomson staff give you your boarding pass, luggage tags and a health questionnaire to be completed. However, we could not be found on their records and had to wait while this was investigated- apparently a fault of the store which booked the cruise for us. The staff were very friendly, reassuring and then apologetic. The staff removed our luggage quickly and labeled it for us, advising us to carry on to the parking area. Unfortunately, there was no-one directing traffic to the parking area and we ended up doing a complete circle to the baggage area again! We finally found the parking area, got a ticket which needed to be validated at check-in and left for the shuttle bus pick-up point. A bus arrived and left within 5 minutes for the 2 minute journey to check in. The departure lounge was clean, modern with toilets and beverage facilities. We were checked in, parking validated and through customs within 5 minutes, the staff were really friendly. We then boarded another shuttle bus for a 2 minute journey to the ship. There was a short queue to board, but there was a member of staff to greet us and show us to our room.Our Room

We were on the lowest deck, A deck, outside cabin No 817 at the front of the ship. We had paid to pre-book our cabin, which seemed larger on the plan of the ship in the brochure. We were not disappointed, with the cabin being very spacious compared to our last cruise. There was two double wardrobes, 6 drawers, four small bedside drawers, a deep shelf into the porthole, a desk/dresser and lots of worktop space. The room was noticeably dated, but very clean and smelt fresh. There was a T.V (not all channels work and they are not always in the right order). There is no fridge and unfortunately, no tea/coffee making facilities (you are not allowed to take your own kettle either). The air conditioning was amazingly quiet and the room stayed cool and fresh throughout the trip. We had read about the constant vibration on Thomson Spirit, which we did not feel in our room. However at the back of the ship it was very noticeable at all times. Due to being a few feet from the water, the noise from swell is noticeable when moving and does lap against the side/porthole, although we found it cosy. The bathroom was clean and had plenty of storage space. It could do with a few adjustments for hygiene- the shower curtain sits right against the toilet and towel rails are also directly above the toilet. The toilet works on a vacuum system and ours did have a persistent whistling noise. The shower was great, but did soak the floor every time, as the curtain is too short. The two cabin stewards were fantastic (Snizhana & Mimi), as I suffered from sea-sickness to begin with they checked I was O.K, were always helpful and kept the room very clean. On that note the Medical Centre was spotlessly clean and the staff very thorough and professional. Read more