The Thomson Cruises fleet will be expanded and modernised with the acquisition of the Legend of the Seas from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
The vessel, to be renamed TUI Discovery 2, is the sister to the soon-to-be launched TUI Discovery and will increase the fleet to six ships. The acquisition marks four ships in the next four years for Thomson customers as the previously announced Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 will be acquired from TUI Cruises for the Thomson Cruises fleet in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Meanwhile, the Thomson Majesty and Spirit will leave the fleet at the end of next year.
The purchase by TUI UK Limited from RCI will see Thomson Cruises operate the vessel from May 2017, sailing from her homeport in the Mediterranean, which will be announced in due course.
Holidays on board the ship will go on sale in July 2016, with her exciting destinations to be announced soon. The 1,832 capacity ship (double occupancy) has 915 cabins, nearly 40 per cent of which have balconies. Customers will enjoy the all-inclusive dining options, eight bars as well as new activities and entertainment offering something for everyone including an outdoor poolside movie screen, a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course and an indoor swimming pool and spa.
Helen Caron, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, said: “It’s an exciting time at Thomson Cruises as we bring to life our modernisation and transformation strategy to benefit UK cruise customers. This investment is another sign of our cruise business being a focus for driving growth in TUI UK and the wider TUI Group.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming TUI Discovery 2 to our growing fleet in 2017. This new ship will offer something for everyone, helping to attract a broad and new customer base. At the same time, we will ensure our cruise holidays maintain their friendly intimate feel, delivered by the friendliest crew at sea, not forgetting the focus we place on sailing to unique destinations that Thomson Cruises are well known for.”
TUI Discovery, the latest ship in the Thomson Cruises fleet, has its maiden voyage is on 11th June 2016. Thomson Cruises recently announced its summer 2017 holidays, which sees the fleet visit incredible destinations across the Eastern Mediterranean; Western Mediterranean; Baltics; Fjords, Iceland and Arctic; and Northern Europe and UK.
