After a shaky start which prompted passenger complaints and a feature on BBC’s consumer programme, Watchdog, Thomson Cruises must have been hoping for better things in 2011 for their newest ship, Thomson Dream.
After all, it recently emerged from a dry-dock refit which was intended to cure the problems inherited when the company took over the vessel, formerly the Costa Europa.
No such luck. About 100 passengers expecting to fly out to Jamaica today to join the ship for a two-week Caribbean cruise, including visits to Cuba, were told last night their New Year holiday was cancelled.
Ironically, a number of air-conditioning units were damaged by freezing conditions during the dry-dock in Hamburg, and it has been impossible to get replacements delivered due to the Christmas holidays.
About 50 cabins and 100 passengers are believed to be affected.
The company says: ” Thomson Cruises has reluctantly taken the decision to cancel the bookings of those customers that were the last to book and who were due to occupy these cabins. All customers whose cruise has been cancelled are being offered an alternative holiday, such as the Thomson Destiny Caribbean itinerary due to depart on Sunday, January 2, or a full refund, as well as £200 per person offered by way of a goodwill gesture.”
Apart from the affected cabins, Thomson Dream’s New Year cruise is expected to operate as normal.
- Just before Christmas, an entire cruise on MSC Musica from Rio de Janeiro was cancelled because of a problem with the ship’s air-conditioning.
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