Thomson Cruises accelerates modernisation plans with purchase of Legend of the Seas, will retire Majesty and Spirit in 2017

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 June 2016 02 June 2016

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.

Thomson Cruises to receive RCCL’s Legend of the Seas in March 2017

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 02 June 2016 02 June 2016

Thomson Cruises, which is part of the Anglo-German tour operator group TUI AG, will receive Legend of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International in March 2017.

This is the second ship the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group unit is selling for introduction in the UK market. Splendour of the Seas is about to enter service as TUI Discovery after a major refit in Spain.

Both ships were built in France and they are of 69,130 gross tons. Legend of the Seas entered service in 1995.

Prior to the entry into service of TUI Discovery, Thomson Cruises operated five ships that were built between 1983 and 1992. These range in size from about 34,000 to 56,000 gross tons. Only the 1986 built Thomson Dream that is the largest of these five is owned by the TUI group.

TUI Discovery is owned by TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based company that is 50/50 controlled by RCCL and TUI and which operates several vessels on the German market. It has earmarked its older units for transfer to Thomson Cruises as its six-ship newbuilding programme near completion.

MSC Cruises launches Sir Bani Yas 'private island' experience in the Emirates

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 June 2016 01 June 2016

MSC Cruises has announced the first details of yet another exclusive island destination, the Sir Bani Yas Island beach oasis, which will further enrich the cruise line’s winter 2016/2017 cruise itineraries in the Emirates.

The 1.5 mile-long stretch of land on the natural island of Sir Bani Yas – just off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi – has been transformed into a beach oasis destination, exclusively for MSC Cruises guests. Activities on the island will mirror the world of choices unique to an MSC Cruises’ experience. Starting in December 2016, MSC Fantasia will add this exclusive, brand new destination to its already rich winter cruise itineraries in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi region – allowing guests to spend a full day on this stunning tropical island paradise.

“Last year we announced the new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas, said Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises CEO. “Today’s announcement is further proof of our commitment to enriching our itineraries and to making available to our guests unique experiences that enable them to discover new cultures and beauties. Additionally, this new, exclusive beach oasis experience stays true to our core values to provide our guests excellence in service, the best in entertainment as well as food options that are of the highest quality and always fresh.”

MSC Cruises has been working on perfecting this destination together with the Abu Dhabi Ports Authority for more than two years. The tropical beach oasis is on a smaller island connected to the main island by an attractive wooden boardwalk that allows MSC Cruises’ guests exclusive access to an authentic beach vacation experience – with hundreds of palm trees, shaded cabanas and more than 2,000 sunbeds across 387,500 sq.ft. of fine golden beaches. Other key facilities include, amongst others:

– An exclusive, private space for MSC Yacht Club guests with an area serving elegant finger food and refreshments;

– An MSC Aurea Spa area offering a menu of relaxing massages from beachside cabana huts with stunning sea views. Spa treatments available include the Aurea Del Mare massage with seashells, bamboo massage therapy and a range of Bali massages;

– Sports facilities, including beach volleyball and tennis;

– A family and kids-dedicated area, with a parents’ pergola;

– A Bedouin tent offering arts and crafts created by local communities; and

– A lounge space with a bar and live music, for relaxing.

In true MSC Cruises style, on the island guests will be able to enjoy a selection of fresh and authentic food options, with a range of cooking stations serving small delights from the region as well as international favorites. Guests can also expect to see beachside charcoal BBQs serving light dishes and snacks, and exotic cocktails served from one of six beach bars. Ship food and drink services, such as drink packages, extend onto the island to ensure that the guest experience between the ship and the island is completely seamless.

The Sir Bani Yas Island MSC Cruises beach oasis offers something for everyone – from relaxation to action, to nature appreciation and culture. For those wishing to relax and unwind, the beautiful beach has a number of natural sunbathing spots and sun-drenched walking trails, which are open all day long. In addition, the MSC Aurea Spa will make available relaxing massages with stunning sea views.

For guests looking for something a little more action-oriented, a 4x4 expedition experience or a high-octane mountain biking session over naturally-created tracks can be booked to enjoy on the main island. There will also be a variety of sporting activities on offer exclusively for MSC Cruises guests, including beach volleyball, football, or water sports such as snorkelling, paddle boarding, sea kayaking and more.

The island is one of region’s largest wildlife reserves thanks to decades of intensive conservation work and ecological investment to restore and maintain its biodiversity. The Arabian Wildlife Park on the main island of Sir Bani Yas is today, as a result of this work, home to more than 13,000 indigenous and endangered animals, as well as millions of trees and plants. MSC Cruises has been working closely with the Abu Dhabi Port Authorities and ecologists to develop the island beach oasis for its guests fully in line with the broader Sir Bani Yas island project and to support the ongoing preservation work.

The MSC Cruises beach oasis will also offer direct access to the natural reserve, with a range of specially designed excursions that will allow guests to experience the unique beauty of the natural surroundings. These include a horse riding tour, a safari-style nature drive through the reserve as well as a Dhow tour around the island in a traditional powered boat – giving guests the opportunity to see giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs in their natural habitat.

Finally, there are ongoing archaeological excavations taking place on Sir Bani Yas island. So for guests who want to discover more about the history and the culture of the island, a dedicated tour to the ruins of an early Christian monastery site from 6th century AD is available for them.

MSC Fantasia, one of the company’s largest and newest cruise ships, will visit Sir Bani Yas island starting in December 2016. The ship was constructed in 2008 and is currently the youngest and largest cruise ship in the region offering 1,250 staterooms and some of the most modern facilities available to guests. These including outstanding entertainment, five restaurants serving refined international cuisine and an authentic Balinese spa. 75 percent of staterooms have balconies offering panoramic sea views. For those looking for a touch of luxury, MSC Fantasia offers the award-winning MSC Yacht Club experience – a ship within a ship concept offering 71 butler-serviced suites with a focus on privacy and exclusivity, the only such service available on a cruise ship in the region.

MSC Cruises offers an exciting range of itineraries to discover and enjoy the Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas region, with cruises from 7 to 14 nights. Guests can embark from Abu Dhabi or Dubai, with itineraries calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Bahrain, Doha, Khasab, Khor Fakkan and Muscat.

Guests are able to book their cruise with an itinerary calling at Sir Bani Yas Island now, with the first cruise of the winter season departing December 3, 2016 and making the first call at the island on December 5, 2016. Sir Bani Yas Island beach oasis is available exclusively to MSC Cruises guests when the ship calls at the island.

Updated: Irish Continental orders €144 million cruise ferry from Flensburger

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 31 May 2016 31 May 2016

Update 1:

ICG has issued another statement, in which it says that the new ship would be employed on the short haul Dublin to Holyhead, UK service midweek and the long haul Ireland to France service during the weekends.

It is planned to replace Epsilon, a chartered in ropax ferry and not the cruise ferry Oscar Wilde, which the company owns.

The company said in addition to choice of bars, restaurants (to include both á la carte and self-service options), special provision has been made for premium Club Class passengers, with a dedicated lounge featuring private access direct from the vehicle decks.

“A choice of state of the art entertainment options and cinemas, dedicated facilities for freight drivers, as well as retail outlets and onboard facilities for pets, will ensure that all our passengers will be comfortable and engaged throughout their journey,” ICG said

It is likely that this new cruise ferry will be introduced on routes served by the chartered ship MV Epsilon, (currently year round services Dublin – Holyhead midweek, and Ireland – France on weekends).

 "The cruise ferry will provide additional freight and tourism capacity on both routes and will deliver a much enhanced onboard experience for all customers," ICG said.

 

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Irish Continental Group plc, the Dublin based ferry company, says it has entered into an agreement, with the German company Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft & Co.KG (“FSG”), whereby FSG has agreed to build a cruise ferry for ICG at a contract price of €144 million.

“The cruise ferry will accommodate 1,885 passengers and crew, with 435 cabins and with capacity for 2,800 lane metres of freight (165 freight vehicles) plus an additional dedicated car deck with capacity for 300 passenger cars,” the company said in a statement.

Its gross tonnage is estimated to be in the region of 50,000 andits four main engines will deliver an output of 33,600kW to produce a speed of 22.5 knots. It will be delivered in 2018.

“This cruise ferry will be designed and built to the highest standards of cruise shipping, and equipped with efficiency and comfort in mind. Emissions scrubber technology (not included in the above price) and ballast water systems will meet current and known future environmental regulations and will deliver optimal fuel consumption while minimising related costs,” ICG said.

The company did not say on which route or routes the new ship would be employed on. In the view of Cruise Business Online, it is likely to replace the 1987 built Oscar Wilde, the only cruise ferry in the ICG fleet, which is used on long overnight crossings between Ireland and France.