Tui Explorer has been unveiled the name of the latest ship to join the Thomson Cruises fleet next year.
It will become the line’s largest vessel when it enters services from its homeport in Palma, Majorca in 2018.
Currently operating as Mein Schiff 1 for the German market, the vessel will be joined at the UK arm by Mein Schiff 2 in 2019.
Tui Explorer joins Tui Discovery and Tui Discovery 2 in continuing to introduce the Tui brand to UK ahead of the re-brand which sees Thomson disappear later this year.
Tui Explorer will run all-inclusive cruises with ten dining options including a new sushi counter and The Mediterranean, an area with a glass roof inspired by open air terraces and local tavernas which will house two inclusive restaurants – a pizzeria and tapas restaurant – plus the Hot Stone Grill at an additional cost.
New cabin types include 14 family balcony cabins that measure 20 square metres, sleep up to five people and have a balcony of up to 9 square metres, and a balcony cabin with more external space.
Standard inside cabins onboard Tui Explorer are 16 square metres, larger than any other standard cabin in the fleet.
Other features include a spa split into 11 different areas including a Finnish sauna with floor to ceiling windows, a couples room and two luxury treatment suites.
An adults-only sunbathing area called The Veranda will have padded sun loungers, pod chairs and day beds.
A new feature bar, Indigo, offers ocean views from the top of the ship and is home to a casino and nightclub.
Another new venue is The Lounge, complete with colour-changing bar and a brightly coloured piano to provide live music.
On sale later this month, Tui Explorer will sail four itineraries – Cosmopolitan Classics, Highlights of the Mediterranean, Magic of Spain and Mediterranean Secrets.
Ports of call will include Barcelona, the ports for Rome and Florence, Naples and Lisbon.
Thomson Cruises managing director, Richard Sofer, said: “I’m delighted to unveil the name of TUI Explorer, our biggest and most exciting ship yet.
“As part of our continued modernisation and transformation strategy, and our commitment to offering choice and flexibility, we’ve created a whole host of new spaces onboard to meet our customers’ needs.
“We’ve got ten restaurants and ten bars, as well as more onboard activities and spaces for families including an indoor cinema and a fantastic new Kids’ Club with children’s pool and slide.
“I’m also really excited about our new flagship entertainment venue, Indigo – a huge space with incredible ocean views, sat right at the top of the ship.”
The ship, which started life as Celebrity Cruises’ Galaxy in 1996, has a capacity for 1,924 passengers.
Even with a future even stronger common approach in the area of research and development in the cruise market, and mutual learning among the workflows positive synergies are possible. A staff reduction in Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania or in Finland are not an issue, “says CEO Dr. Jan Meyer.
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