Jewels of the Med depart 25 May 2007

by **rchutly** on Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:07 pm

Has anyone complained to Thomson about the late arrival of the ship from dry-dock and chaotic waste of time in hotels in Palma before boarding Friday midnight?

by **JennS** on Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:02 pm

Yes I have recently received a 'photocopied' reply to a letter I wrote of complaint over a month ago.

My complaint was about more than just the late departure. Infact it was a great deal more than that and all I got back was a standard letter that no doubt they copy at will and still feel extremely unhappy about the whole situation and I am determined to take it further.

I know some people will find this all a little 'over the top' but after the treatment I have received both on the ship during my stay and after it I am sure people would more than understand!

J.x.

by **HW tenpin** on Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:10 am

Question?

Would you rather sail on a ship that was unseaworthy, or stay in a hotel for a few hours or even a days.

by **JennS** on Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:54 pm

I fully understand the safety precautions and maintenance that sometimes cannot be helped and would be ignorant and extremely stupid if that is all I was unhappy about.

As I have said there are MANY reasons that I have wrote to Thompsons and the ship running late is no where near the top of the list because I did realise at the time that the fact it was probably could not be helped. The way that situation was handled though could have and that is where the main problem with this area of my cruise lies.

J.x.

by **rchutly** on Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:25 pm

I have received back a fairly standard reply from Thomson at the very end of their self-imposed response deadline. Apart from an apology there was no real reply to my concerns and complaints.
It was nothing to do with sailing on an 'unseaworthy' vessel vs a few hours in an hotel, rather the fact that the cruise failed to commence on time because clearly insufficient time had been allowed for the
Celebration to be in dry-dock with a 'buffer' to cope with 'unforeseen' technical difficulties..... If I pay for a full 7-day cruise I expect to get one and Thomson failed to deliver.
I have now sent a further letter to Thomson and await developments.

by **JennS** on Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:15 pm

Mine is similar and I plan on taking it further aswell.

I am just so upset because I worked so hard to be able to do this and I felt like I had not been given what I paid for. Or infact anywhere near that. I did not pay to go on a ship that I felt was a floating health hazard.

J.x.

by **Alicante** on Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:39 pm

I have written 4 times so far, only to get back standard letters as if it was about a different subject, never answering the actual items listed. On the last reply I received they said that they hoped to see me on another Thomson cruise, they must live on another planet, unless they are going to refund the cost's of the last cruise.
I have ask for the comments of Thomson's Managing Director, to see if he thinks this was a touch of luxury as stated in their advert, but I won't hold my breath in getting a reply from him.

Jewels of the Med. and Roman Epic
25th. May til 8th. June
We had to weeks of toilets not working, tatty showers, toilets in public areas flooding or closed, water stained carpets thoughout public areas.

JR

by **JennS** on Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:46 pm

I am having the same problems. I wrote a letter and I got a reply that seems like it is supposed to be for someone else as it relates to nothing I had written to them about. I am only on my second attempt and I guess I have to wait and see what happens this time!

J.x.

by **rchutly** on Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:51 am

Now received two totally negative letters from Thomson; neither has addressed the real issues and have completely discounted our loss of amenity, inconvenience, frustration, disappointment and anger. Another letter gone off informing Thomson that unless there is a substantive reply and offer of compensation within 14 days, we'll start legal proceedings in the County Court. More news in due course...

by **sillyme** on Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:53 pm

I was unfortunately on the Celebration, for the trip from the Red Sea, to Barcelona when it was going into dry dock,
What a rip off that was, Thomson's in no way made it clear that the purpose of this cruise was to get the ship there, no mention of it anywhere,
The itinerary in the brochure looked excellent, what we got was not,
I cant go into detail, it would take to much time, and space.
The biggest problem we had, was the way the Captain can change the itinerary, for what ever reason, as long as it was beyond his control and you have no redress from Thomson's.
Now as I understand problems beyond his control, would be bad weather and the likes,, well we lost 5 hours in our departure from one port because,
Two passengers had failed to leave their passports at reception on rejoining the ship, 5 announcements was made by the captain as to the reason for the delay,
Even giving out the names of the passengers and room numbers,
Then as the truth unfolded, it turned out the these passengers had in fact handed in their passports the evening before, THAT'S BEYOND HIS CONTROL,
I don't think so,
That was one of many delays we suffered,
I have written 4 letters to Thomson's, and like others, received the not our fault response!,
The outcome is, I have taken the matter to the small claims court,
Its due in October, Thomson's defence is, in the small print,
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ITINERAY AT THE CAPTAINS DISCRETION
In situations beyond our control.
Does this give them the right to charge �2400 for a cruise and tours.
Then fail to deliver, I think not,

The resulting outcome of this case will be added later,