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Thomson names newest cruise ship
Thomson revealed yesterday that its new cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s former Splendour of the Seas, will be renamed Thomson Discovery.
The 915-cabin ship will be based in Palma, Majorca, for summer 2016.
Billed as a ‘family friendly’ ship, it will boast an outdoor movie screen, rock climbing wall, nine-hole mini golf course, three a la carte restaurants and eight bars and lounges.
It will offer four itineraries around the Mediterranean next summer and Saturday sailings with flights from 19 regional airports across UK and Ireland.
Thomson Spirit will home-port in Malaga for summer 2016, Thomson Celebration will remain in Dubrovnik and offer adults-only cruising for summer 2016.
Thomson Majesty will be based in Palma alongside Discovery, offering cruises around the Western Mediterranean. New for next summer are no sea days evening stays in Ibiza and Barcelona to allow guests to make the most of the nightlife offered in both destinations.
A new weekly flight from Liverpool to Palma will make it easier for those living in the northwest of England to join the ship.
Thomson Dream will be based in Corfu for summer 2016 from where it will offer four itineraries, including Syros for the first time. Customers on the Dream will also be able to combine a cruise with a trip to Istanbul for the first time.
Cruise and stay options will also be available for the first time, in Corfu Town, Palma and Malaga.
For winter 2017, Thomson Cruises is inviting its Facebook fans to suggest an itinerary for one of its ships to be based in Barbados. Once the votes are in, the cruise, to start on January 15, 2017, will go on sale in November.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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