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Thomson buys RCI ship
Thomson Cruises has bought Legend of the Seas from Royal Caribbean for an undisclosed sum.
It will join the Thomson fleet in May 2017 as TUI Discovery 2, sister to the soon-to-be launched TUI Discovery.
TUI Discovery 2 will sail the Mediterranean from a homeport, which has not yet been confirmed. Holidays will go on sale in July 2016.
The purchase will give Thomson a total of six ships, including Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, which will be acquired from TUI Cruises for the Thomson Cruises fleet in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Thomson Majesty and Spirit will leave the Thomson Cruises fleet at the end of 2017.
Legend of the Seas has a capacity of 1,832 with 915 cabins, nearly 40% with balconies.
It has an outdoor poolside cinema screen, a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course and an indoor swimming pool and spa.
Thomson Cruises MD Helen Caron said: "This investment is another sign of our cruise business being a focus for driving growth in TUI UK and the wider TUI Group.
"This new ship will offer something for everyone, helping to attract a broad and new customer base."
TUI Discovery will sail its maiden voyage on June 11.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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