Our third Thomson cruise and our last! Standards have slipped to an unacceptable level in every area apart from the entertainment team during this cruise. Passengers were really an inconvenience and merely a source of revenue. The first matter which greets you on boarding was the need to pay £25 for the key to the in-cabin safe. A wholly unjustifiable policy - this should certainly be included in the normal cost.

On this occasion we selected a Deluxe cabin on Deck7. Throughout the two weeks there was a strong smell of sewage in the corridor which became unbearable at times. The toilet in our cabin overflowed and flooded the bathroom twice. The plumbers clearly failed to cure the problem the first time! We overheard another couple with the same experience. It was generally known that there was a very contagious gastric bug on board and it was very disconcerting to see men in protective white overalls with masks, gloves and chemical spray equipment entering and leaving cabins on our deck. No attempt was made by anyone to reassure passengers.

Buffet restaurant service was, naturally, suspended. Staff in that 'servery' did their best standing behind a tape between passengers and the food and putting the food on your plate if you could see what you wanted and could get them to understand. (Not always easy and very trying for both parties). It may be that this disruption of the norm was the cause of the poor attitude of staff whose duty it was to clear the tables and serve the drinks. Read more