Advantages: Lots of extra channels at a good price, small neat box
Disadvantages: Unable to adjust volume using the remote control, unable to switch between analogue and digital signal without resetting and some of the details go off the bottom of the screen

...So, how can you get up to 50 digital television and radio stations without having to pay each month for cable or satellite? The answer is to buy a Digital Terrestrial Receiver (or digibox as I call it) for under £100 and watch the free-to-view stations (as heavily advertised recently on BBC). When I bought a lovely Sony 32 inch widescreen television, it really showed up the poor quality signal we get in our area. I was also getting bored with the choices of channels 1-4 and an extremely grainy channel 5, but didn’t want to pay a monthly fee for cable or satellite, as I was unlikely to make the most of my money being an internet addict. I therefore decided to buy a digital terrestrial receiver suitable for using with my TV aerial. There are a number on the market including Panasonic, Pace and Thomson, but in the end I bought... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: N/A
Disadvantages: N/A

...and read the Small Print. 2) Tape record all conversations. 3) Do a Data Protection Act search on Tour Operator and Travel Agent. 4) Do not give up. We have travelled the world, and this is the first time we have had a problem that could not be resolved. Note for Thomson Holidays - better training in customer care would benefit both your employees and customers. Teach them the word Sorry.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good at selling holidays
Disadvantages: Poor at selling insurance

...Thomson had stated that they had taken all necessary steps to point out the policies terms, conditions and exclusions. Some insurers will go back five years through your medical records at your G.P to find evidence in order to counteract your claim. I have read of one poor man who was forced to cancel due to suffering a stroke, having his claim refused because he had reported he suffered from headaches to his G.P prior to booking his holiday. The doctor suggested maybe it was stress related and to take a rest. The insurer claimed his headaches were a pre-curser to his stroke and as he had not mentioned these on his form, his claim was refused. You will also find that all of your current prescribed medication needs to be formerly declared. If you are on a waiting list for tests or investigations, or have any medical condition for which you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent Food, Interesting places to see
Disadvantages: Fairly expensive

...My first cruise was a very positive experience. I was worried that I would be trapped with hundreds of old people for a week, but in fact it was nothing like that. Myself and my boyfriend made a last minute booking to go on the Thomson Spirit Fortunate Isles cruise. We wanted to go on holiday in early April but when we went to the travel agents the only holiday they had on days we could travel was this cruise. We thought about it for a bit and decided to bite the bullet, so here is the story of my first cruise. **The ship** The Thomson Spirit is 214m long and 10 decks tall. It weighs about 35,000 tonnes. In other words, it is massive! It takes about 1200 passengers. Thomson have owned it since 2003; before that it belonged to a German company. **Facilities** On board the ship there are the following facilities... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: I beleive they are still the best at what they do.
Disadvantages: Can be expensive

...Again I will start this review by saying that I am employed by TUI UK the company who own Thomson holidays. I was originally employed by the Thomson Travel Group, the company was the taken over and has now evolved to become part of the world of TUI, the largest tourism company in the world (so I am told). The actual idea behind the world of TUI concept is actually very good. They aim to be present at every stage in the customer holiday from where they book, who they fly with, where they stay and every other step in the package holiday process. Therefore the plan is you book your holiday in Lunn Poly, you fly with Britannia airways (soon to become Thomson airways) and they you stay in one of the many hotel chains which the company operates. It has actually got to the point where no matter where you go you can't escape the TUI... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots of Choice, lots to do
Disadvantages: Not many free child places.

...We decided that we wanted a summer holiday abroad this year and picked up a Thomson Brochure. Thomson are a well known holiday operator and have been operating for as long as I can remember. Since they opened a Lunn Poly near us we have been picking up their brochures instead of the usual JMC ones. Thomson offer a variety of holidays such as Superfamily, Gold, Platinum, summer sun, a la carte, small and friendly, faraway shores, Greece, turkey, cruise, alfresco, Florida, freestyle, weddings in paradise, beach club. The Superfamily one interested me as it was all geared at a family holiday. They choose so many hotels with families being in mind and often these hotels or apartments are where families only can go or for couples only. They also own Skytours so when you get to your destination you will find the Thomson staff grouped... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent itinery, well organised tours
Disadvantages: Poor service and facilities onboard

...The Thomson Calypso is the latest addition to Thomson's cruise fleet. It is the smallest Thomson ship, and is an 'adults only' ship. It has everything you would expect from a cruise ship: restaurant, informal dining, shops, a beauty salon, bars, a gym, sundeck, and pool. At over £100 per night Thomson cruises are not especially cheap, and the brochure promises personal service and plush facilities. Having previously cruised with Thomson on Celebration, I must admit to being sceptical when I read the numerous poor reviews of Calypso on various websites. Having now cruised aboard Calypso I am forced to admit that previous reviewers were absolutely right. Thomson promise a more personal style of service aboard the 'intimate' Calypso. The atmosphere amongst guests was certainly pleasant, but a relatively low ratio of staff to guests... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: would have been a good compleate package holiday
Disadvantages: wasnt told it was no good for between 13-18 year old

...Thomson group, My first holiday with Thomson was absolutely fantastic, we enjoyed every waking moment, and we booked and flew to Sidari in Corfu. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Our hotel wasn’t a huge hotel, only built on two levels with a pool but excellent value for money. Our room was exactly as it was described in the Thomson summer sun broacher, bright roomy and very pretty. We had maid service every morning and came back to a spotlessly clean room, straight after breakfast everyday. Our meals were waiter service, and couldn’t be faulted We used to look forward so much to our next meal the minute we had left the table. Our trips out were fantastic service, and our tour guide was amazing, her knowledge of Corfu and sidari was exceptional. She was so funny we laughed all day. This holiday I thought was so pleasurable we... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: see op
Disadvantages: see op

...All inclusive cruising on the high seas, a tour of the Canary Islands, and a chance to experience the Topaz before she retires from Thomson’s after years of loyal service, how could I resist. I used to imagine cruises were for older, elitist couples, but friends and family persuaded me otherwise. The Topaz offers all inclusive cruises, drinks included, and on the recommendation of others we decided to try her before she is replaced this year by Thomson’s new ship, The Spirit. With seven decks to explore, entertainment and 24 hour dining, it sounded too good to be true, especially as the prices were excellent. We booked last July from the teletext, using a company called Book and Go. Total cost including insurance and flight supplements from Manchester was £890 for two adults. I was stunned at this low price bearing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great food, great ports of call, excellent customer service
Disadvantages: Having to come home again

...I was away on my first ever cruise in the first week in May - Mediterranean Renaissance on the Thomson Spirit. It was a 50th birthday surprise for my mum. Booked it online through the Thomson website and got a free all inclusive upgrade. We had an outside cabin on deck one and flights from Glasgow - came in at around £1500. We were both quite excited but a little nervous about it. We had been on a mini cruise previously and had heard good things about Thomson cruises. You get your tickets around two weeks before travel as part of an information booklet which gives you examples of excursions and tells you a bit about life on board. You can opt for requesting a particular cabin, or champagne on arrival as well as other things. You get luggage labels also. Itinerary Palma, Villefranche (Nice and Monte Carlo), Livorno (Florence... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful