For generations of holidaymakers Thomson are the travel company that gave them their first experience of foreign countries, opening up Europe to millions of people with their cheap package deals to the Mediterranean hotspots. Along with their sister company, Britannia Airways, they and a number of other package tour companies, changed the public’s attitude towards foreign travel and transformed the coastline of popular destinations such as the Spanish Costas and the Greek Islands, turning them from tiny fishing villages into a high-rise paradise for Brits wanting to party in the sun.

With Thomson’s influence in the holiday market and the burgeoning growth of cruises, it was only a matter of time before these two factors combined and Thomson began to open up cruise holidays to the masses almost overnight, what had once been the domain of the rich and famous, became available to families not blessed with unlimited budgets.

The Thomson fleet now consists of five luxury cruise liners, including their newest, biggest and most luxurious cruise liner yet, the Thomson Dream. At this moment in the current financial crisis, this represents a considerable investment and when the average price of Thomson cruise holidays is thrown into the equation, the company must be confident of full berths.

Prices for cruise deals in Summer 2009 start at just £499 per person, including air transfers to port of departure, food and a full range of entertainment on board ship. Winter cruise prices start at £549, but as with all holiday packages, last minute offers and deals will be available if you are prepared to wait and be flexible.