Thomson Majesty, one of the ships to be based in Palma.

Thomson Majesty, one of the ships to be based in Palma.

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma02/05/2016 00:00
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Palma will next year become home to two new cruise ships as it continues to grow as a key cruise hub for the western Mediterranean. Thomson Cruises has announced that its new addition will be named TUI Discovery as part of the re-brand which will see the whole of Thomson change 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. 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, according to a statement.

Nick Longman, managing director of TUI UK & Ireland says: "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 and eastern Mediterranean and the UK for the first time since 2014.

TUI Discovery and Thomson Majesty will both be based in here Palma whilst Thomson Dream will sail from Corfu. Thomson Spirit will move to Dubrovnik and offer adult-only cruising, while the fifth ship in the fleet, Thomson Celebration, will split its summer between Malaga in May and October and UK sailings from Newcastle between June and September. This will result in the introduction of twelve brand new itineraries including UK sailings to ports in the Norwegian fjords, Scandinavia and the Baltics, and more choice in the Mediterranean visiting classics like Venice, Athens, Cadiz with a range of durations from four to 14 nights.

Helen Caron, managing director of Thomson Cruises says: "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."