Thomson Cruises: Low-price cruises around Europe

Thomson Cruises is the cruise line of U.K.-based Thomson Holidays, a travel operator. Although the company had started its cruise line in 1973, due to the rise in fuel cost, it was discontinued in 1976 and restarted in 1995. This cruise line visits more than 100 destinations and has five cruise ships in its fleet. Be it an all adult cruise or a family cruise, you will always enjoy the attentive service on board and enjoy great ports of call.

The onboard experience of Thomson Cruises is in between the ultra-casual and the traditional, but follows a more traditional cruise system. The ships, Thomson Spirit, Thomson Celebration, and Thomson Dream have a flexible dining arrangement which is open-seating while the Thomson Destiny has two-seating dining for its passengers. In addition, all the ships have a buffet-restaurant for every meal and Thomson Spirit, Thomson Dream, and Thomson Celebration have a la carte or "from the menu" dinner option. With the exception of one formal night, the dress code is basically casual, and if you still don't want to deck up for the night, the buffet restaurants will still be open for you to enjoy the food in your casual attire. As for the onboard activities, casino and production shows are part of the cruise life.

Thomson cruises attract a broad range of people of all ages including the middle class British passengers. Although mostly enticing first-time cruisers, the company now is also seeing an increase in its percentage of passengers who are repeat customers and are more than happy with this cruise line instead of the fancier lines. Among its five cruise ships, Calypso is the only one where passengers under 16 years of age are not allowed.

A look into Thomson Cruises

Thomson Cruises offer many "cruise and stay" options and offers good deals for singles, children, and also has a family-friendly brochure. All ships under Thomson Cruises are small to medium sized with a high number of passengers. Because of its size and high passenger density, you will not get an intimate or private environment but more of a party kind.

The cabins are generally a little small with standard facilities and public rooms.

The ships

You will have everything from family-friendly to adult cruises under Thomson cruises. You will have a choice of high-quality cuisines and great entertainment.

Thomson Spirit

This home-away-from-home ship offers impressive entertainment like the Broadway Lounge show, live music, casino, and a cinema.

Thomson Celebration

Here you will be sailing amidst luxury. It will pamper you with its two-story beauty and health spa. The Mistral's Restaurant offers great cuisines, great bar with panoramic views, and a tempting cocktail menu. Entertainment involves Broadway shows, live classical and jazz music, Hemingway's casino, and a cinema.

Thomas Destiny

This is the largest ship in the Thomson fleet. You will have exposure to a spacious sun deck, dining with the sun on your face and enjoy Broadway shows, splitting comedy, deck parties, live bands, and casino.

Island Escape

This is the most laidback of all the ships under Thomas Cruises. Spa, salsa classes, sports, and entertainments like comedy, live music, casino, and game shows are its main features.

Thomas Dream

This ship is 30% more spacious than the other Thomas fleet and is also more stylish. Entertainment ranges from musicals, live bands, casino, to discos.

Each of the ships under Thomas Cruises offer delectable cuisines, waiter as well as flexible dining option, bars and lounges, reading rooms, sports deck, kid's club, etc.