Thomson Emerald's Pearls of the Aegean cruise

[oldmegan]

I have read various reviews of this particular cruise which we are considering ourselves. The reviews have been very different on the various websites. What do AB members think of this ship/cruise? Anyone got personal experience, please?

[dannydingbat]

Depends if you want to spend money on an ancient tub with inferior service. How much are they quoting you? I may be able to put you in touch with better cruise lines for the same money or less.

[oldmegan]

Thanks for your answer. The brochure price is about �800, less booking on line. It's the Greek ports we are most interested in.

[enidblyton]

i have been on the emerald 4 times it is a very nice ship aswell as other cruiseliners. Try Teletex i have always found to get a better deal on there for cruising

[dannydingbat]

Of course you can't compare the different ports on different cruises because they don't all go to identical places, the times of year and length of crusie are also all different. But shop around and see who is doing what. I just booked a 10 day with Celebrity in June/July (avoids the kids on school hols) for �649 pp. A couple of Easyjet flights from Bristol to Rome brings the whole thing in at below �1500 for two on one of the best ships in the world with one of the best cruise lines. We visit France, Italy and Greece, Try their website and also Royal Caribbean who also sell online cheaper than you can get it from an agent. Also, you can book some cruises through US online agents a lot cheaper than through the UK. Remember Thompson is a cheap cruise line and uses the ships that have been sold on as too old by the better lines. Quality of food and standard of fellow passenger and their kids is also an issue.

[auntiebertie]

Personally I would book a 'proper' ship - like RCCL or NCL - very good deals around st the moment on NCL in the Med as they are trying to break into that market.

Before you go on any cruise suggest you go to www.cruisecritic.com and scroll down a bit to the 'Review' section and read what people have written about the ship - then click on the 'Boards' link at the top to find out what sort of questions people are asking.