Thomson Celebration Cruise Ship

We have just come off the Red Sea magic on the Thompton Celebration and had a really good releaxing time. We found the hygine was very good - the staff were cleaning all the time, there was an outbreak of the Norvo virus but it was contained well. We did have to leave the ship early on the last day so they could do a deep clean, we were taken to a 5 star hotel in Sharm and were all inclusive with a room for a wash & brush up untill our coaches arrived for the airport.

The only thing that was a bit of a shambles was getting off on the last day, but that only lasted 30 mins or so.

Just a tip we changed a lot of money into Egyption which was not needed as it is cheaper to pay in English on board.

The food in the Maridian was lovely (especially the Peach and Champaine soup) - The staff were all very friendly, and one cabin steward (not our one) was for every pointing me in the right direction as my sence of direction is useless.

So I would say go and have a great relaxing time, and we always managed to get a sun bed and didnt get up at the crack of dawn to do so.

The only down side was the number of smokers - when will there be a smoke free ship??

just returned from this cruise, and couldn't believe how much enjoyed it sailed on all the big expensive ships and rate this more enjoyable. food was great, entertainment the best i have ever seen on a cruise, ports of call a bit below par but what do you want great views for when you can visit anywhere you want once there. people that complain about this ship should realize that you get a good time at a very good price don't buy tin if you want gold

This was our first cruise and we chose Red Sea Magic as friends had done this three times. This is understandable as there are so many great places to visit and so much fantastic entertainment on the ship, you just cannot fit it all in on one trip! I was completely bowled over by it and this has just whetted my appetite to cruise again and again. What an absolutely wonderful experience, enhanced by the friendly and attentive staff on the Celebration. The entertainment is top notch, food wonderful and the people we met while cruising unforgettable. I have never been on a holiday where the environment has been kept so spotlessly clean, the staff have been so charming and the complete atmosphere is one of friendship and hospitality.

We felt so strongly about what we had experienced that it prompted us to write this review. We arrived at 10pm on thurs night & boarded the ship. Our first episode was we were ushered into a plastic draped lift (why?) the smell was not pleasant either. Once at reception we were informed the type of debit card was not acceptable and that we could use our credit card but would be charged 2.5% (banks don't charge thomson this!)or we could lodge £200 cash with them - no other cruise ship that we have travelled on have asked us to do this. Our room (we'd asked for an exterior room) was on deck 1 at sea level, and the noise was unbearable to say the least - we requested a room change only to be given a room that even the cabin stewart advised against as he said "it is even noisier and I would stay with the room you have" There was work being carried out next to our cabin and onboard the ship in general from 8.30am - 8.30pm- this didn't add to the pleasure of the cruise. The ports were - to say the least - disastrous! More for a container ship rather than a cruise ship given that you dock 2 days at some ports with little or no access unless you pay the highly inflated Thomson trip prices. There are limited sunbeds on port days - which I'm sure you've also read before. Hygiene at times was below standard if they were trying to combat norovirus etc they weren't doing a great job no hand wash in toilets at times. Food was average which was a pleasant surprise given the overall standard of the ship and most of the staff were very pleasant and helpful, however - we could continue on but as I'm sure you've read there are other reviews similar to our own. As for the reviews giving 8 & 9 out of 10, they've either low expectations for a cruise experience or they haven't travelled with another cruise operator i.e. Royal Caribbean etc...we would suggest that 1. Thomson take a few tips from them 2. The Thomson passengers experience another cruise liner as the Celebration is a very poor 3 star and we will not be recommending Thomson to anyone.

Oh my god if you are reading any bad reviews then don't listen , this was a excellent holiday , you would be bored if you stayed on board all week but why would you if you went on a cruise , I thought you went to see places so if you don't go to a hotel , but to see Egypt this is brill . The ports are nought special but the facilities on ship are good . So if you want to stay on board you can and it is enjoyable . Food was outstanding in all areas to eat and available 24 hrs a day the staff are fantastic and always there to help and can't do enough for you . Entertainment was great and appeals to all ages . And cleanliness out of this world no illness or feeling dirty . cabin is good and your cabin porter is great . all tips are included in price but we tiped cabin boy he was fantastic. This was our first cruise and I would def go with tompson again . I would def go all inclusive on drinks if you like a tipple at night but very hot so day time drinks can top up . All,in all 9/10 Please don't listen to bad reviews they are just crumpy moaners that want royal treatment for a cheap price .

I have just returned from a Red Sea cruise. As this is my first cruise, I have nothing else to compare it with, but have to take my hat off to Thomson. We had a fantastic holiday and will definitely be going back for more.

Nothing is too much trouble for the crew, they are superb. The ship was clean, well managed and as for the food. Excellent!

Drinks are a bit expensive though and not a place to take kids.

Just back from the Red Sea Magic cruise with Thomson.

As cruisers previously with P and O and RCI we were surprised to find that this last minute first Thomson cruise was as good as P and O and better than RCI.

Having read some poor reviews I was pleasantly surprised in all areas. The ship was well maintained, the facilities very good and the entertainment outstanding.

Add this to the quality of the food and the professional, friendly staff and you will understand why we will definitely cruise with Thomson again.

Absolutely no complaints, well done Thomson !

This is our second crusie with Thompsons, the first being the caribean on the Destiny three years ago.

After spending so much time reading all the negative reports I have to say i was quite concerned prior to going on this cruise. I must have looked at the FCO website so many times.

Please do not read the negative comments and make a judgement until you have tried this, whilst some opinions have merit some are so negative it gives you a very uneasy feeling about going.

my concerns were totally unfounded. We had a fantastic time even considering that we were isolated in our cabin for the first 24 hours after picking up a flu virus on the plane.

The medical attention we received was first class and happily we were fine within 24 hours.

The staff on board were excellent and tried to make this cruise a very enjoyable expierence. Nothing was to much trouble.

If you wanted something more sophisticated horizons bar was great. If you wanted to join in with the dancing games and everything else Liberties was fun and went on until late in the morning.

The food was very good and the water was free in all the bars and restaurants.

The Excursions can be expensive, and you need to plan what exactly you want to do. Petra is well worth seeing once even though it cost £120.00 each on the ship.

The ports are not the best but who cares if it is 29 degrees and you can sunbathe on the ship. If you cannot get a sunbed head for deck 10 on the top of the ship where there is a sun deck and a bar. Safarga is a bit of a dump but the hotel on the beach was very nice and relaxing, you can have a full body massage for 200 Egyptian pounds £20.00 sterling.

I think everyone needs to look at the excellent value for money this is and work out is it right for you.

Airport was a bit of a n expierence plane listed as departed before anyone had boarded but it adds to the ho9liday expierence!!

Yes it is quite difficult to get a sunbed somedays especially the day at sea. When you look at what you get for the money you spend this is an excellent crusie and the staff cannot do enough for you. I would recommend Thopmsons for a cruise and we very much look forward to our next adventure.

In summary try it and then form an opinion later

Having seen the negative reviews the week before we went, I honestly thought of cancelling - I was so glad I didn't. From arrival at the airport when our room numbers were attached to the luggage, we were well looked after. The journey out to Sharm el Sheik was long and could really do with a film - don't be so mean Thomson! Also it took a long time to register your credit card and have your photo taken, but then you got on board and it was fine.

The cabins are a little 'tired'. We were in 633 which was fine - quiet and kept immaculately clean. There is no kettle provided - take a travel one - and a fridge would have been handy.

Quite quickly we were ushered into the theatre to see the entertainment and that started the enjoyment bit. The show was good fun, then we went outside for a 'party on deck' - all this on top of our flight and transfer and finding our way around that evening, but it was well worth it. The resident band playing Beatles and Rolling Stones songs were great. The ship was lit up, people were dancing and the cruise started. Excellent.

My only real complaint was the cost of soft drinks. They provide some in the room with the label £1.90 for water. £1.80 for a can of Coke! It was cheaper on the aeroplane and that is saying something. Also don't buy wine by the glass as you get a measly portion for £3.90. There are perfectly good house wines for £11.95 which you can keep over two nights if you wish. Get some spirit in the airpirt to keep in your room too because all of these tipples add up through the week.

We went to petra - awesome. Book in advance online as it saves a bit of money but the entrance fee is £50 so it was not such a rip off as i first thought. The guides were superb and taught me a huge amount about Jordan and Egypt. The pyramids are also worth seeing, if only for the scenes of poverty in Cairo on the way - it does make you count your blessings.

By the end, it felt you were in a nother world where the staff can't do enough for you - they are mainly Filipino and were the most professional I had seen. Up to the last minute when the band were playing us off with more Beatles songs, we were cared for.

I did not hear of any sickness on board - but be ready to sanitise your hands very frequently, which was fine.

Give the cruise a go - you won't be sorry.

The ship was spotless the food was very good, Staff were all hard working. entertainment was hit and miss,it was very cold when we were there, we did not do all the trips, if you were on board all day there was not a lot to do. we did do rose city petra that was the highlight of the trip for us, although this is expensive at £114 if booked on line it was worth it.

we did go all inclusive and i did find the cocktails to be very weak. The same with the larger. We did not like the ports we were in there was nothing you could do on your own, and the trips were very expensive, i did not feel this was really a cruising holiday as you were overnight in ports twice. Im sorry this sounds so negative this is a lovely friendly ship, i made a bad choice of the destination , we would cruise with thomson again but we will do the Caribbean next time. Cabin staff were excellent very discreet i took the trouble to find her to give a tip, although tipping is included with holiday, this girl deserved it, was sad to here not many people do tip her. to sum this cruise up good ship good food bad location.