Austria
TUI Group’s growth and modernisation plan for its cruise business has achieved another significant milestone. Thomson Cruises, the cruise brand for the British market, is preparing its latest ship, TUI Discovery 2, for her maiden voyage this weekend (14 May) in Malaga, Spain.
With demand for cruise holidays increasing, and the Group investing significantly in growing and modernising its fleet, TUI Discovery 2 is the second All Inclusive ship to join Thomson Cruises’ fleet in the last twelve months. This follows the arrival of TUI Discovery in June 2016. The move to name this latest addition to the fleet TUI Discovery 2 is part of the re-brand that will see Thomson transition to TUI later this year. Also joining the fleet from May 2018 is TUI Explorer, which is currently sailing as Mein Schiff 1 for TUI Cruises, followed by the Mein Schiff 2 ship joining the fleet in 2019.
Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Richard Sofer, said: “We’re delighted to be launching TUI Discovery 2, the second in the pipeline of four new additions to the cruise fleet for the UK and Irish market. The new ship TUI Discovery 2 will play a key role in delivering unforgettable holidays for our customers. There is so much for our guests to discover onboard and we’re excited to set sail.”
The new ship, which has 915 cabins, 40 per cent of which offer balconies, has an All Inclusive offering including a wide range of restaurants and bars all included in the price of their holiday. Guests can enjoy gourmet cuisine to laid-back street food, and activities include an outdoor poolside movie screen, a rock-climbing wall and a mini-golf course. TUI Discovery 2 is introducing new technologies including a new onboard app ‘Navigate’ that will enable customers to view and book onboard extras such as spa treatments or excursions.
Based in Malaga this summer, TUI Discovery 2 will visit some of the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations such as Barcelona, Valencia, Ibiza, Porto, Lisbon and Marseille before repositioning to Tenerife in September, visiting ports in the Canaries, Morocco and Madeira. From December, TUI Discovery 2 will make its way to Montego Bay, Jamaica ,where it will begin its winter season in the Caribbean visiting Central American highlights such as Cuba, Belize, Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia on itineraries such as Cuban Fusion and Pride of Panama.
Thomson Cruises is the third largest cruise line in the UK. The company won a host of awards including Best New Ship, Best Family Option and Best Entertainment in the 2016 Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards.
