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Thomson Cruises adds TUI Discovery 2 and names next ship TUI Explorer

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Artist impression of Indigo, TUI Explorer's new night entertainment venue
Thomson Cruises announced its latest addition to the fleet will be named TUI Explorer and will join TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2(formerly Legend of the Seas which it has just taken delivery of from Royal Caribbean International).

Based in Palma, Majorca from May 2018, TUI Explorer - currently sailing with TUI Cruises as Mein Schiff 1 - will new feature bar, Indigo, with ocean views from its position at the top of the ship and is home to the casino and nightclub in the evening; Aperitif is an intimate speakeasy style bar; Scoops, an ice-cream parlour with quirky bicycle-themed seating; and The Lounge, a new venue with colour-changing bar and signature brightly coloured piano and live music.

TUI Explorer will also have ten dining venues including Surf & Turf, Kora La and Snack Shack, as well as new addition Umi Sushi, a showcase sushi counter.

The Mediterranean is a dining area featuring 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.

The ship will also feature an onboard spa hosting eleven different areas including a Finnish sauna with floor to ceiling windows, a couples room and two luxury treatment suites, and The Veranda, an adults-only sunbathing area.

New cabin types on TUI Explorer include 14 family balcony cabins that measure 20sq mtr, sleeping up to five people and a balcony cabin with more external space. Standard inside cabins onboard TUI Explorer are 16sq mtr, bigger than any other standard cabin in the fleet.

Managing director of Thomson Cruises, 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.’

TUI Explorer joins TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2 in continuing to introduce the TUI brand to UK customers ahead of the re-brand which sees Thomson transition to TUI later this year. 

The all-inclusive ship will sail in the Western Mediterranean calling Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Florence and Lisbon.  

Thomson Cruises, part of TUI UK and Ireland, is the third largest cruise line in the UK. There are five ships in the the fleet – Thomson Dream, Thomson Majesty, Thomson Celebration, Thomson Spirit and TUI Discovery.

Mein Schiff 2 switches from TUI Cruises to Thomson in 2019, whilst Thomson Majesty and Thomson Spirit leave the fleet at the end of this year. Net result will see a fleet of four ships in 2018 and back to five in 2019.