Thomson Cruises to re-brand

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 14 April 2016 14 April 2016

Thomson Cruises yesterday announced that its new addition will be named TUI Discovery as part of the re-brand which will see the whole of Thomson transition to TUI over the next eighteen months. TUI Discovery will also be the first of the Thomson Cruises fleet to offer an all-inclusive drinks package as standard, as well as giving customers a wider choice of dining and entertainment included in the price of their holiday.

The move to name the newest addition to the fleet TUI Discovery is part of the strategy to start introducing the TUI brand to UK customers. Investment in product to enhance and personalise the customer experience is fundamental to the ethos of the TUI brand and unveiling the new ship as TUI Discovery demonstrates this on-going commitment.

As the first of the Thomson Cruises fleet to offer all-inclusive drinks as standard TUI Discovery customers will be able to enjoy the wide range of restaurants and bars on-board alongside a selection of premium drinks, all included in their holiday. From succulent Italian cuisine in the new restaurant, Gallery 47, or laid-back street food from the Snack Shack, families and couples alike will all be able to get the most from their holiday.

TUI Discovery will also see the introduction of innovative new technology to modernise and personalise the on-board experience. Customers will be able to summon their favourite tipple at the touch of a button from their sun lounger on adults-only deck, The Veranda, make dinner, spa and entertainment reservations at self-service kiosks, and browse and buy photos of their cruise. A hi-tech holiday and shore excursion shop will showcase what to see in the many destinations the ship will visit, as well as inspiring customers on future holidays.

Nick Longman, Managing Director of TUI UK & Ireland said: “TUI is a recognised and trusted brand in other countries and we want customers in the UK to get to know and love it too as we transition from Thomson to TUI. Investment in our product to enhance and personalise the customer experience is fundamental to the ethos of the TUI brand and what better way to demonstrate this than unveiling our newest addition as TUI Discovery and introducing all-inclusive as standard. The introduction of TUI Discovery marks a new era for our cruise business in the UK which will continue with the introduction of two more TUI ships to the fleet over the next three years.”

The update on TUI Discovery comes as Thomson Cruises also announces it new programme for summer 2017 which will see the fleet based in the western Mediterranean, eastern Mediterranean and the UK for the first time since 2014. With its smaller ships, Thomson Cruises not only offers a more personal service, but is also able to call at some of these regions’ less-visited ports that other cruise ships can’t reach.

TUI Discovery and Thomson Majesty will both be based in Palma, Majorca whilst Thomson Dream will sail from Corfu and offer customers the ultimate island hopping experience. Thomson Spirit will move to Dubrovnik, Croatia and offer adult-only cruising whilst the fifth ship in the fleet, Thomson Celebration, will split its summer between Malaga, Spain in May and October and ex UK sailings from Newcastle between June and September.

This will result in the introduction of 12 brand new itineraries including UK sailings to ports in the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia and the Baltics; more choice in the Mediterranean visiting classics like Venice, Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Cadiz, Spain; and a range of durations from four to 14 nights.

New ports of call for summer 2017 will include Wismar in Germany which offers access to the country’s two biggest cities, Berlin and Hamburg; Gdynia in Poland for customer’s to experience the architectural wonders of the region’s capital Gdansk; and Arendal in the Norwegian Riviera to see the inspiration for Disney’s smash hit, Frozen and visit the stunning offshore islands of Merdø, Tromøy and Hisøy.

In the Mediterranean, Thomson Cruises will visit Roses, Spain with its huge bay – endorsed by UNESCO’s Most Beautiful Bays in the World, Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves; Piombino, the gateway to Italy’s Tuscan cities of Siena and Pisa; and Pula, where ancient Rome and modern Croatia collide.

Also new for summer 2017 are the ports of Taranto, Italy; Ciutadella, Menorca; and Zakynthos Town, Zakynthos.

Helen Caron, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises said: “The line-up for summer 2017 is set to be our most exciting programme yet with some incredible new itineraries and ports of call. From the culture of cities likes Casablanca and Copenhagen to the culinary delights of the Tuscan Riviera and the spectacular scenery in Croatia and the Norwegian Fjords we have something to offer families and couples alike. All this, alongside tips and service charges included and flights from 22 airports across the UK. We’re confident that our customers will love everything that summer 2017 has in store.”

On sale from late April, Thomson Cruises’ summer 2017 programme includes flights from 22 regional airports with new routes from London Southend to Palma, and Doncaster Sheffield to Dubrovnik. Early bookers for the summer 2017 season will benefit from a free drinks package upgrade on all summer 2017 sailings and selected winter 2016/17 sailings across the fleet.

MSC Cruises says World Class ships to be LNG powered

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 06 April 2016 06 April 2016

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group, said the up to four World Class cruise liners of 200,000 gross tons plus it intends to build at STX France would be powered by LNG.

“They will be the richest yet in terms of amenities and features for guests and families; have a cutting edge design; feature the latest and the best state-of-the-art smart technology and use the most advanced environmentally-friendly technology available with LNG-propelled engines. But most importantly it will be a ship for all seasons and all regions,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, in a statement.

“The four ships provided under the LOI (letter of intent)– two firm orders and two further options – will be delivered in 2022, 2024, 2025 and in 2026,” the company said in the statement.

The ships would feature 2,700 cabins and have about 5,400 lower beds.