Changes to ports of call

by **fern** on Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:36 pm

We are due to sail on Calypso on October 1 for 2 weeks.
Now Thomson's have changed 2 of the ports we were due to visit.
The first was notified about 10 days ago. Albania was being replaced with Kotor in Montegro.
OK we wanted to see Albania but not too put out about the change.

Yesterday we were informed that Constanta is being omitted and instead we are sailing directly to Istanbul.
This change we are not happy with. Thomson's are now saying(contrary to their brochure description) that Constanta was primarily to visit the beach resort of Mamaiia.
We had booked a private tour to vist the city and archaelogical sites on our own but have now had to cancel this.
It seems that Thomsons'can think of any excuse to sell their evening tours in Istanbul. Not for us , no way do we want to see belly dancing etc.

Now we are hoping no more ports will be changed!!!!
2 years back on Emerald we didn't tender at Nessebar but other ships did!! Hope we have better luck this time

by **HW tenpin** on Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:13 pm

Hi Fern,

These changes in the itinerary are getting more & more numerous; unfortunately they do cover themselves normally in the brochure.

However this is for everyone out there,

If you get a port missed out then complain and ask for a partial refund of the port fees, although you might not get anything, other than a smile, you may like us on our last cruise get a few free drinks at the bar.

Bit late to complain about this but a letter to head office, may get you a bottle of wine or a little on board credit.

by **nanabo** on Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:20 pm

Hi Fern
We sailed on the Calypso in May and visited Albania, I heard that Thomsons had pulled out on Albania because their was not a lot to see, but we did our own thing after disembarking and just wondered around the town ,quite a lot of people stayed on ship and were a bit afraid of going out to town, but we found it to be OK, the people are not used to cruise ships and lots of visitors, and they were really trying to accomodate the tourist. They were building new foot paths and buildings ready for the new tourist trade. It was nice to see the raw Albania before tourisim takes over.

I agree with you on Istanbul it is nice to see and meet the people, bazars , bely dancers etc but once youve seen them then I think you have seen them all. It is very busy there a lot of hussle and bussle and its a shame you cant see these places that you originally booked the cruise for.
They should not be able to get away with it, did you ask for a reason on the changes? Hope you enjoy your cruise in spite of the changes. Give us your reviews on return.

Bo

by **fern** on Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:47 am

Hi Nanabo,
The reason for chnaging to Kotor was given as" because of all the negative feedback on Durres".

Like you we would have liked the opportunity to see it for ourselves.
The excuse for Constanta was .. as it is mainly for the beach resort of Mamaia which will be closed by this time we are giving you the opportunity of a night in Istanbul where you may want to sample a Turkish meal and belly dancing show"
Their brochure barely mentions beaches and is more towards the culture etc.
Like you Mum & I have been to Istanbul before but our friend hasn't but none of us are inteested in the night entertainment.
Constanta was of great interest to me as I was last there in 1981 when Ceaucesceu was in power and I wanted to see what changes have taken place since then.
It is a bit late for us to get any response from Head Office but we will take it up on board and write to Head Office.

Will let you know the result and I will write a review on our return.

Fern