Thomson Spirit Reviews

Ship Ratings
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Areas
Entertainment
Cabin
Spa & Fitness
Shore Excursions
Rates

As this was my first Cruise holiday, I went in expecting 100% all the glamor, silver service, glitter and gold. As I have often seen in movies and on TV. The Tomson Spirit however at first sight met none of these, she looked tired, dated, and in a way on her last legs. But saying that over the week we were on board with the old girl, she soon grew on us. Our cabin was down on deck 2 and towards the Stern, meaning we were right in the bowls. Which made it very difficult to sleep at night with all the noise and vibrations, (Well for me at least) The constant vibrations could be felt all over the decks, it was quite hard not to notice it. A tip for the women, wear a sports bra! :/ the shows that were put on every night were outstanding, and the entertainers on board have rely got some stamina! Though some of them rely shouldn't be allowed to sing!!! it was worse than a bag of cats being swung around your head. Our cabin staff, were amazing throughout the whole Cruise, and they alone deserved a medal, cleaning up after my other half twice a day!! The Lido restaurant reminded me of a pushy school lunch room, everyone fighting to get there first, and get the "Good tables" And for anyone with a NUT ALLERGY, CARRY YOUR PEN! I came so close, so many times in just one week, it was unbelievable. What looked like dusting on a Dohnut, was crushed nut! The Compas Rose restaurant on Deck 4 however was a joy, and once we discovered it, we never ate anywhere else. The pools were pretty much just for kids, too small to do any exercise in, or have more than 5 people in at once. The Jacuzzi could have done with being a little hotter, as we found it to be quite cold on the one day we used it. and very in-personal. It was empty until we got in, then as if from nowhere 6-7 kids all appeared, and just splashed around. Will be looking into Adults only for our next one I think. All the waiters and drinks staff were very friendly and efficient, apart from one night, the Captains cocktail evening of all evenings. We were pushed onto a small table with an elderly couple when we asked to be seated on a table for two. We were told that there wasn't any available. and then for the whole of our dinner service things went down hill. the steak was overcooked, our drinks never arrived, we were not offered Tea or Coffee after our meal, and the cheese board came covered in nuts!!! All the little bits aside though, after the week on board and even after the day at sea with force 9 winds, and the majority of passengers throwing up. The old girl grew on us. So much so we didn't want to leave. And when we did, we both said "Goodbye" as we stepped off the ramp for the last time. It seems silly rely, I have never felt attached to a hotel, or a building in the same way I did with the Spirit. I think I would like to go back, just to see how she's getting on, like an old friend. Even with our life boat 13. If you want just a short break, and a friendly atmosphere get yourself down to Tomson, and get booked. You might even meet Ted. This guy has been on 30 yes 30 Cruises this year, all with Tomso. Oh and if your doing any excursions, Make sure you book a bike tour of Toulon! Best day we had. Even though it was 20 miles.

Hide this review

Ship Ratings
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Areas
Entertainment
Cabin
Spa & Fitness
Shore Excursions
Rates

Sitting at home reflecting on a wonderful last minute late summer cruise to the Norwegian Fjords on board Thomson Spirit. We embarked at Harwich, no problems at all. Settled in cabin and feeling relaxed by 1pm. From the time we arrived on board the ship until the time we left every member of staff were extremely pleasant and courteous and made us feel very welcome. Cabin was extremely spacious and kept spotlessly clean by cabin crews who always had a smile on their faces. Nothing was a problem to them. Meals were excellent in all restaurants and choice very good. Scirocos restaurant was fabulous and well worth the extra money paid. Drink prices were very fair compared to Royal Caribbean prices. Thomsons also sell bottles of spirits to have in your cabin and ice is available 24 hours per day. All staff were extremely courteous and nothing seemed too much of a bother to them. They definitely made your holiday as good as it could be. Entertainment staff, under cruise director Richard Gray, were fabulous. A different west end style show every night and also a cabaret. I have paid high prices for theatre stage shows/musicals which were not up to this standard. Plays were also excellent. Singing and dancing was spectacular. Costumes fab and as a wardrobe mistress for an operatic society this was a bonus for me. The entertainment team were always smiling and were more than happy to talk to you if you met them around the ship. The guest act on our cruise was Don McLean (crackerjack fame) and he was a delight. Norway was spectacular and trips fantastic. Prices are expensive but worth every penny. The Flam Railway trip in particular was amazing. Lasted all day and included one of the best lunches ever. Amazing scenery too. Thank you Thomson Spirit for a truly fantastic cruise from start to finish. I will definitely do this one again.

Hide this review

Ship Ratings
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Areas
Entertainment
Cabin
Spa & Fitness
Shore Excursions
Rates

We have just returned from a Fjords 6 night cruise with the Spirit, having cruised with Ocean Village, NCL and Princess previously, we boarded the ship at Harwich, if you have boarded at Southampton you will find Harwich less impressive as regards to parking as you have to leave your luggage with porters then proceed to the car park and then take a shuttle to the ship, at Southampton they take your car for you to the car park and you just stroll into the cruise terminal. Having said that we arrived at 12pm and was onboard by 1.10pm so not bad at all. First impressions of the ship are a bit disappointing in terms of decor, but having read all the reviews we knew what to expect so did not let that worry us too much, we had lunch in the Lido buffet an excellent choice of food and on par with the other cruises we have been on. For the evening meal we dined in the main restaurant which allows you to turn up at any time after 6pm they put you on tables of 4, 6 or bigger there are a few tables for 2 but we thought we would sit with other passengers, what a wonderful bunch of people we met from all walks of life and I have to say this was the most sociable cruise we have ever been on, if like us you are a bit concerned about dining with strangers don't be, it was a great experience. It was nice to discuss the days excursions and what other people thought about cruising etc. Our cabin was booked 3 weeks prior to sailing an inside deck 1 or 2, we ended up on deck 3 just 1 deck below the main restaurant which was ideal as we also ended up having breakfast there also, you could have waiter service, or if you prefer they did a buffet service in this restaurant as well, I am not sure if all passengers are aware of this, but it was very relaxing and no queuing at all as is not the case sometimes with the Lido buffet. On all occasions when arriving at the main restaurant we never queued once which was brilliant. All the bars are good and we normally found a seat, the drinks are par for the course ??3.50 pint lager, house wine ??16 a bottle, you can have an all inclusive package if like a good drink I think it works out at ??30 a day. Good thing is no gratuities on drinks or daily fees, what a breath of fresh air, well done Thompson, we tipped our brilliant steward at the end of the cruise. Our cabin was of a good size the beds were in a 'L' shape format so you could not put them together, the mattresses could do with upgrading a bit lumpy in places, the cabin was kept spotless and for 4 nights out of 6 we had wonderful towel animals waiting for us on our return. The suitcases fitted under the beds and the wardrobe and draw space was more than enough. The toilet did stop flushing once but we told our cabin lady and she stopped what she was doing and went to get the plumber, when we returned after breakfast the toilet was fixed - great service. The TV's are old with the usual channels, but to be honest we hardly ever have the TV on so was not bothered. After you spend 1 or 2 days on board you stop noticing the dated aspects of the ship and start to see why people return to this ship and the Thompson brand, the food, entertainment and staff are as good if not better than any other cruise we have been on. The swimming pools (2) are not that big, more for cooling down than a good swim, on our cruise it was not really warm enough for swimming so cannot comment, but they were emptied everyday and cleaned thoroughly then filled with filtered sea water. We always got a sunbed or chair on deck, not always around the pool though but there are always some available around the ship. Getting on and off ship was easy never queued once unlike the bigger ships we have been on, except leaving the ship at Harwich where you have to sit in the lounges and wait for your deck number to be called. Now to the main concern 'the vibration' yes there is one, not all the time and not everywhere, nothing like I was expecting when reading other reviews, I notice all other ships in the fleet are being upgraded except the 'Spirit' maybe her days are numbered. To summarise if you want a great value cruise (book late like we did) and are not bothered by lack of glitz and glamour but want excellent food, comfortable surroundings, small enough to get around quickly but big enough to find some quiet places, and the great service and entertainment then you will enjoy this ship. It is the kind of ship you grow to love, a bit like an old armchair past it best but still very comfortable.

Hide this review

Ship Ratings
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Areas
Entertainment
Cabin
Spa & Fitness
Shore Excursions
Rates

We set off from merseyside at 5 o'clock on the Tuesday morning arriving at 1.o'clock at harwich to meet our ship the spirit . The journey down was long but very comfortable with ledger coaches. on arrival we were given labels to put on our case and then we did not see them till out side our cabin ,we then had to get our embarkation cards which was done very quick and smooth. the activities on board were very good with quizzes and the lectures with brad Aston were excellent. The services from the staff on board this ship is second to none as the are so polite and kind especially Richie,Rambo,SAM, from the compass rose restaurant and jenny,soe who cleaned our cabin everyday which was spotless We did some of the excursion which was not a disappointment but we also like to explore on are own which we found very good as it was easy to get around once we were ashore. The shows were very good a different theme each night these girls and boys work very hard and give very enjoyable entertainment the food was delicious always hot and tasty we would recommend this Cruise for a great sightseeing holiday

Hide this review

Ship Ratings
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Areas
Entertainment
Cabin
Spa & Fitness
Shore Excursions
Rates

Going from Harwich was a delight only 75 minutes from home,no airport to deal with,especially as my Wife has to use a wheelchair,we were on board just 60 minutes after arriving [1115].As we have previously cruised on Spirit including last year,we knew our way round,new carpet and furniture in the Lido was welcome and new chairs/tables outside.Many of the crew remebered us from last year,and we managed to get our waiter,Sam again in the Compass Rose,which served us some marvellous food accompanied by friendly,amusing,and efficient staff. The entertainment team led by the talented Richard Grey were fantastic,the shows were brilliant as usual,what they manage to put on in the very limited stage and tiny backstage area is wonderful,the Cool Brittania show alone had over 200 costume changes! Carla,Lauren Richard and acd Alistair gave us some really funny quiz shows in High Spirits,poor Carla was the butt of some leg pulling from Richard but she carried on smilling thro it all,poor girl even got caught in a downpour and lightning doing the lunchtime quiz out on lido deck but got it done. The ports of call were all very interesting,we didnt manage Copenhagen,so we went to the Gardens at Kalundberg,very pretty especially the Japanese one.Tallinn we did the city tour,like alot of the ports we visited the main attraction wes the buildings really beautiful.At StPeats we did just the panoramic tour,the Palaces were wonderful.Helsinki was a pretty city,where we visited the Rock Church,looks like a flyimg saucer had landed on top of it.We were told to be up early on deck for the sail in to Stockholm and it was worth it to see the hundreds of islands with there little houses perched on them.we went to see the Vasa museum,it was something special.Back on board we had a bbq on deck.Up early again for the docking at at Kiel,where we were welcomed by a fire boat spraying water from it jets.visited the u-boat and memorial,that was an experience to actually walk through the u-boat.That evening we made we made our way through the lock to the canal,this truly was amazing,the canal gently curved through the German countryside,not unlike our own,it was very quite and serene,it was breathtaking in its own way,it took almost 13 hours to go through to the exit lock. To sum up,once again Thomsons have delivered,on all fronts,the Entertainment,service,food,the service where the staff were willing to do anything for you without hesitation,even the weather was most of the time kind to us.

Hide this review