Thomson Cruises launches TUI Discovery in Palma, Mallorca

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 10 June 2016 10 June 2016

Last night, Thomson Cruises launched its newest ship, TUI Discovery, at a glittering ceremony in Palma, Majorca. The show-stopping evening commenced with keynote speeches from; Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, TUI UK & Ireland Managing Director Nick Longman and TUI Discovery Captain, John Westgarth-Pratt.

On board deck 9 there was an action-packed production of performers from the destinations visited by the Thomson fleet, including a gigantic Spanish bull puppet, Caribbean carnival dancers in full costume, Middle Eastern whirling dervishes and belly dancers.

The ship’s godmothers Mimi Kasomwoshi Ragui and Hazel Ceguera, both Thomson Cruises colleagues, were welcomed on stage during the show to formally christen the ship.

Grammy Award winning artist Jess Glynne then wowed unsuspecting special guests with a medley of number one hits from her globally bestselling album, ‘I Cry When I Laugh’.

Fireworks lit up the city to close the show as Jess finished her set with her smash hit ‘Hold My Hand’, before the ship set sail for Barcelona.

The spectacular show was the brainchild of Black Skull Creative’s Dan Shipton and Ross Nicholson, who together have produced high profile events such as the glittering London 2012 Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies and worked with celeb names such as Ellie Goulding.

The move to name the newest addition to the Thomson Cruises fleet TUI Discovery is part of the re-brand which will see the whole of Thomson transition to TUI over the next eighteen months. Thomson Cruises recently announced the expansion of its fleet with the acquisition of Legend of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International (RCI). Thomson Cruises will operate the vessel, to be renamed TUI Discovery 2, from May 2017.

Whether it’s a family break or romantic getaway, the latest addition to Thomson Cruises fleet offers something for everyone. With a wide range of onboard facilities, the family-friendly ship boasts an outdoor movie screen, rock climbing wall and eight bars and lounges. In addition to the extensive dining choices, TUI Discovery will be the first in the fleet to offer all-inclusive drinks packages as standard from summer 2017.

Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, said: “The launch of TUI Discovery marks an exciting time for Thomson Cruises, so it was an honour to have Jess Glynne join us to celebrate what has been a fantastic night for everyone involved.

“TUI Discovery is a real game-changer for us and shows our commitment to delivering unforgettable holidays that are personalised for each of our customers. We’re incredibly proud of being able to offer truly memorable experiences in some of the world’s most exciting and exotic destinations and tonight has given a real taster of that.”

TUI Discovery and its 758 crew members will set sail on its maiden customer voyage on Saturday 11th June, visiting a variety of ports in the Mediterranean for destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, Corsica and Florence.

Royal Caribbean to spend a record $61 million for Adventure of the Seas refit

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 10 June 2016 10 June 2016

Royal Caribbean International will debut a robust array of all-new thrills and enhancements onboard Adventure of the Seas this November, including new dual racer waterslides, Cyclone and Typhoon, the popular FlowRider surf simulator, and a children’s aquapark, Splashaway Bay. In addition, guests will enjoy a new lineup of culinary and entertainment venues with Izumi Japanese Cuisine, the brand’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille and Boleros Latin Lounge. The ship also will receive more than 100 new staterooms, a refresh of all existing staterooms and a brand new Suites Lounge for the luxury traveler.

The reinvented Adventure is Royal Caribbean’s fifth ship to undergo revitalization, and at $61 million this will be the brand’s largest investment yet. The massive project will introduce some of the trademark innovations the cruise line is known for, bringing the best of Royal Caribbean onboard.

“We are thrilled to debut an array of new enhancements to one of our guest’s most beloved ships,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The name Adventure says it all; this ship is packed with action, featuring a mix of signature features and innovations, including thrilling new waterslides and VOOM, the fastest internet at sea.”

Adventure of the Seas offers vacationers a chance to explore the Caribbean even deeper with itineraries, sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the most sought-after spots in the Southern Caribbean, including Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. Johns, Antigua; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

Other features offered on the Voyager-class ship include the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, three pools including the adults-only Solarium, a rock climbing wall, basketball court, Windjammer Café, Johnny Rockets and the three-story Main Dining Room. Adventure also delivers exhilarating entertainment options, with complimentary Broadway-style entertainment in the main theater, ice-skating shows in Studio B, and the lively Royal Promenade with its parties, parades, dance and shopping outlets.

Thomson Cruises could position ship year round in UK from 2018

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 08 June 2016 08 June 2016

Thomson Cruises, which is part of the TUI AG group, could base a ship in the UK year round from 2018 following the acquisition of Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, Cruise Critic reports on its website.

Thomson Cruises' managing director Helen Caron said the extra capacity afforded by a sixth ship -- which will be renamed TUI Discovery 2 -- joining the fleet in 2017 will allow her "more flexibility" when deciding deployment.

"With Legend joining the fleet, it does give me more flexibility in terms of deployment and potentially we could look at basing a ship in the UK in 2018."

The company has stayed that the 1983 built Thomson Spirit of about 34,000 gross tons and the 1992 built Thomson Majesty that is measured at about 41,000 gross tons would leave the fleet at the end of 2017.

After this, Thomson Cruises will take delivery of two larger and newer second hand vessels: Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 will join the fleet in 2018 and 2019 respectively from the fleet of TUI Cruises in Germany, the report said. The two former TUI Cruises vessels are of about 76,000 gross tons and TUI Discovery 2 and TUI Discovery, which started life as Splendour of the Seas, are of about 69,000 gross tons. All four ships were built in the mid-1990s.

Thomson Cruises also operates the 1986 built Thomson Dream of 56,000 gross rons and the 34,000 gross ton Thomson Celebration, which is of the same vintage as Thomson Spirit that will be phased out next year.

TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2 have an adults only Solarium that has a sliding glass roof, which would be useful if either of the two ships would operate from a British port year-round.

P&O Cruises to celebrate World Gin Day

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 08 June 2016 08 June 2016

More than 10,000 gin lovers will be celebrating World Gin Day this weekend (Saturday 11 June) on board P&O Cruises with its Great British Gin Menu, the company said in a statement.

Passengers will also be sampling and sipping four new local gins which have been added to the popular menu. “Available across seven ships, The Great British Gin Menu serves up 20 of the country’s finest gins from small, artisan brands such as Tarquin’s Dry Gin (Cornwall), Ely Dark Chocolate Gin (Cambridgeshire) and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (Argyll), as well as tried and tested triumphs such as Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray and Hendrick’s,” the company said.

New gins to join The Great British Gin Menu for 2016 include:

 

• Two Birds London Dry Gin (Leicestershire) with hints of juniper, citrus and Orrisroot. For something different to the usual G&T, P&O Cruises mixes with apple juice and elderflower cordial to create a refreshing cocktail ‘Countryside Spirit’
• Caorunn Gin (Speyside) with hints of Rowan Berry, heather, dandelion and Coul Blush apple. P&O Cruises ‘Bees Knees’ sweet and sour cocktail mixes Caorunn Gin with honey, fresh lemon juice and fresh orange juice
• Poetic License Northern Dry Gin (Sunderland) with hints of juniper, eucalyptus and Persian lime is delicious mixed with fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup to create a ‘Northern Sour’, a northern version of the classic cocktail
• City of London Gin (London) with hints of liquorice, lemons and pink grapefruit packs a punch in a ‘City of London 008’ cocktail served with apple juice, fresh lemon juice, elderflower cordial and basil

Complementing these gins is a selection of tonic waters including Fever-Tree and Fentiman’s, as well as a full range of creative and customised cocktails. P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow said: “Gin is Britain’s best loved spirit and what better way to enjoy a quintessentially British drink than on one of our ships, soaking up the incredible views from the Crow's Nest.”