NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
Ship launch: More than 600 agents attended the christening of Thomson Cruises’ Tui Discovery. Hollie-Rae Merrick reports from Palma, Majorca
Singer Jess Glynne (third left) with Tui UK’s NIck Longman and agents on board Tui Discovery
Line expects Tui Discovery to widen its family appeal
Thomson Cruises’ new ship Tui Discovery will broaden the line’s appeal to a wider customer base, according to cruise line boss Helen Caron.
Speaking at the ship’s
christening in Palma, Majorca, Caron said the line had in the past been known for being best suited for couples. However, she claimed the addition of the 1,800-passenger Tui Discovery, now the largest ship in the Thomson fleet, would attract more families. The ship, previously called
Splendour of the Seas when it was operated by Royal Caribbean International, features kids’ clubs, rock-climbing walls and more entertainment options than other ships in the five-strong fleet. “We’re extremely excited about
Tui Discovery. It’s a step-change for the brand,” Caron said. “We’re known for being great for couples,
but the new facilities on Tui Discovery mean we will appeal to a broader market. We have more kids’ facilities on this ship and we can open up to have more multi-
“We’re extremely excited about Tui Discovery. It’s a step- change for the brand”
generational families on board too.” Tui Discovery marks the start
of ambitious growth plans for Thomson Cruises. The line this
month announced it had acquired Legend of the Seas from Royal Caribbean and that it would be renamed Tui Discovery 2 when it joins next year. Two ships from sister brand
Tui Cruises will also transfer to Thomson Cruises. It is understood the ships will be called Tui Discovery 3 and 4. The new additions will see the line’s capacity grow by 25% in the next four years. The line hosted a member of staff from all 620 Thomson shops at the launch, as well as numerous third-party agents and cruise specialists such
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travelweekly.co.uk 16 June 2016
as Iglu Cruise and Hays Travel. About 85% of bookings for Thomson Cruises come through Thomson’s retail arm, and Caron said it was vitally important for staff and other agents to be able to experience the product first hand. “Our retail staff and third-party
agents are a hugely important part of our distribution strategy. “We see it as being vitally important that a Thomson Cruises customer can book their cruise anywhere they want.” Agents at the launch
celebrations in Palma were treated to a performance by Grammy award-winning singer Jess Glynne.
Thomson Cruises yet to reveal if brand will change
Thomson Cruises is yet to reveal if and when the brand will change its name to be part of the new Tui ‘superbrand’. The Thomson name will disappear from the high street next year when shops are rebranded Tui. While the next two ships will be named Tui Discovery 1 and 2, Helen Caron, cruise and distribution director, said no announcement had been made on renaming older ships and whether Thomson Cruises would change its name. Dave Burling, Tui executive
director, added: “We are very committed to making Tui our global brand. Calling this ship Tui Discovery will get us ahead of the game on that journey.”
Tui Discovery’s maiden season is in the western Mediterranean
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