Thomson enhances Thomson Discovery and plans return to the UK

Thomson Cruises has released new details of the enhancements it will be making to Royal Caribbean’s Splendour of the Seas as it joins the fleet as Thomson Discovery.

In November the cruise line explained its initial plans for the 1,830 passenger ship. Now it has released more details on the dining, entertainment and family-friendly options that will be available on the ship.

Guests will have a choice of four breakfast venues, seven lunch venues and seven dinner venues, with a mix of casual and formal, gourmet and street, and healthy and indulgent foods on offer.

Dining in two speciality restaurants will be chargeable while dining in the remainder of the venues will be included in the cruise fare.

Thomson Cruises has partnered with celebrity chef and restaurateur, Ian Pengelley, to oversee the menu at Kora La, the on-board Pan-Asian restaurant and sushi bar. Ian previously held the role of Executive Head Chef at Harrods and has appeared on a variety of prime time cookery TV shows.

A new entertainment programme will be added to the ship, with the cruise line promising everything from “innovative virtual bands” to interactive quizzes and music from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Names including choreographer and dancer Tara Wilkinson and musical arranger and conductor Martyn Ford will help create 11 new West End-style shows for the ship.

Family-friendly features will include The Wall, a climbing wall with sea views; mini golf; The Hideout, a teen room with karaoke booth; the Baby Centre, a space equipped with changing facilities, a food preparation area and somewhere safe to play; and a new children’s show, ‘Splash Live!’, which will see animated characters come to life to take children on a journey under the sea.

Adults can enjoy the spa, casino, and an adults-only sunbathing area called The Veranda.

The cruise line also announced its plans to re-introduce cruises sailing from the UK next year. Thomson Celebration will operate four- to 14-night itineraries out of Newcastle in summer 2017 sailing to the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia and the Baltics.

Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, said: “I’m excited to reveal the re-introduction of ex-UK cruising to our programme in 2017. This will open up even more destinations for our customers, giving them the opportunity to create truly memorable experiences. I’m also thrilled to unveil the new family-friendly and adult-only dining and entertainment options on board Discovery, which is key to delivering passengers’ personalised experience. I’m delighted at the calibre of talent involved with bringing this to life and I’m sure it’s something our customers will really value.”

German media has also reported that dates for the transfer of Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 from TUI Cruises to Thomson Cruises have been set for 2018 and 2019 respectively. An itinerary called ‘Mein Schiff 1 farewell trip’ has gone on sale and will see Mein Schiff 1 sail on a 41-night cruise from Singapore to Palma de Mallorca, departing Singapore on 28 February 2018.

(Image credit to Thomson Cruises)