Tag Archives: Manchester

TUI Announces Nile Cruises with Fourth Ship

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TUI River Cruises is expanding its offerings with an announcement of a new Nile cruise program set to begin in Winter 2024.

The cruise line will introduce exclusive TUI charter flights from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports to Luxor, Egypt, making it the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor, according to a press release from the company.

The new Nile cruises will feature a fully refurbished five-star ship named TUI Al Horeya, meaning “freedom,” accommodating 145 passengers across 74 cabins, including singles, standard cabins, and suites. Embarking on seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor, guests will experience the Nile and visit landmarks like the Luxor and Edfu Temples.

Chris Hackney, Managing Director of TUI River Cruises, expressed enthusiasm for the new offering, noting that a cruise along the Nile provides an unforgettable experience with year-round sunshine, making Egypt the perfect destination for immersing oneself in ancient history, he said.

Hackney said: “TUI River Cruises is going from strength to strength, and we are so excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love.

“A cruise along the Nile offers a serene and unforgettable experience with lush landscapes, traditional villages, and other iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Edfu Temples. With year-round sunshine, Egypt is the perfect destination for exploring ancient history and allowing guests to immerse themselves in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Hackney said.

To enhance the customer experience, dedicated licensed Egyptologists will be on hand throughout the trip to provide insights and answer any questions about the historical significance of the sites visited.

The company said that the TUI Al Horeya boasts modern amenities, including a top-deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, a restaurant, Al Fresco dining, a lounge bar, a wellness studio and a boutique shop.

Guests can also enjoy a day and night entertainment program and a range of expert-curated excursions that offer a journey back to the era of pharaohs and dynasties.

Cruise1st to open store in Manchester shopping centre

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Cruise1st to open store in Manchester shopping centre

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Cruise1st is preparing to open an interactive concept store in Manchester dedicated to cruising – it’s first foray into bricks and mortar retail.

The new shop at The Lowry Shopping Centre, which Cruise1st says is the first of its kind in the country, will open its doors to the public seven days a week from January 9.

New to cruise customers are being targeted and the store will feature virtual reality headsets that will allow shoppers to explore different cruise lines and take 3D tours of ships, resorts and hotels.

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Experienced cruise experts will be working in the store to help customers make decisions and to make bookings.

The company, which makes most of its sales online, says some high-ticket product is more suited to selling via the high street.

Dan Townsley, chief executive of cruise1st.co.uk said: “Cruise is a complex product. Our research shows that while cruise brands are changing the language and trying to make the cruise concept simpler and more logical to the consumer, consumers often find researching and choosing the right cruise confusing and complicated, especially new to cruise, which is a vital market for our industry. Getting new to cruise is a difficult challenge and we feel that personal, face-to-face service is the way to do it.

“Our aim of launching the UK’s first cruise concept store is to gain new to cruise to our database and cultivate these relationships, as well as to provide the expertise and support for our growing database of customers who are looking for a more intense cruise experience – land tours around India, water falls in Venezuela, The Terrocata Army and Great Wall China tours. These are difficult to sell via the internet as consumers feel more confident booking these high ticket, extended destination cruises with the peace of mind that they can sit in front of somebody and ask any questions they may have before committing.

“The travel industry has gone towards digital, however specialists have not and customers, especially new to cruise, value specialist knowledge and the reassurance of face to face advice and support.”

Thomson reports ‘fabulous’ demand as Dreamliner arrives

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Thomson reports ‘fabulous’ demand as Dreamliner arrives

Thomson reports 'fabulous' demand as Dreamliner arrivesThomson Airways flew its first Dreamliner into Manchester rather than London Gatwick on Friday as a mark of its support for regional airports.

Managing director Chris Browne said:  “Manchester is really an important airport for us. The Thomson airways boss told Travel Weekly: “We’re a big supporter of regional airports.

“We were based in Manchester when we ordered the aircraft.”

Browne hailed Tui Travel’s announcement on the day the Dreamliner arrived of a deal to buy up to 150 of the latest short-haul Boeing 737s as “huge”.

She said: “It’s about confidence in the future. The business is doing so well. It’s great we can invest so much.

“We had to place the order now to get the options on aircraft or we would have to wait. You could not get a 787 now for years.”

Browne described demand to fly on the Dreamliner as “fabulous” despite the delay in delivery. Thomson had been due to start its summer flight programme to Florida and Cancun with the 787 on May 1.

However, the aircraft was grounded worldwide in January following a battery fire and only resumed flying last month.

Browne said: “It’s the first time I’ve ever known people book a holiday because of an aircraft. The summer programme is pretty much sold up. Winter is selling fabulously.”

Thomson will launch 787 flights from Manchester and Glasgow on July 8. But prior to that, “There is a serious amount of training for the crew before we begin flying,” said Browne.

Thomson plans to operate 47 short-haul flights with the 787 between June 21 and the July 8 start of the long-haul programme.”
Browne said: “A lot of people will be very pleasantly surprised.”

She said no customer had registered concern about flying on the Dreamliner. “Customers have been very understanding. They trust Thomson and Boeing not to put an unsafe aircraft in the air.”