British-based Thomson Cruises has revealed plans for the next new addition to its fleet.
TUI Explorer will be joining the fleet in 2018, the largest ever ship for the cruise line. The ship is currently known as Mein Schiff 1 in the TUI Cruises fleet based out of Germany. The ship will be renamed and transferred to Thomson with new features and a total refurbishment before entering service.
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. 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.”
During the dry dock, TUI Explorer will receive a lot of upgrades and a new Thomson livery on the hull. A new featured bar called Indigo will be located at the very top of the vessel where guests can enjoy breathtaking ocean views. Indigo will become a night club at night which will be a hive of activity into the early hours of the morning. The Lounge will be a new bar which changes color and features a piano.
Dining is an important aspect of cruising and TUI Explorer will feature a total of ten venues. Umi Sushi is a new venue which showcases with a bar type style. The Mediterranean, a new space which will be popular thanks to its glass roof and open terraces. There will be two inclusive restaurants also located in The Mediterranean.
TUI Explorer will have 14 family balcony cabins that measure 20m² and a balcony which is up to 9m². The family cabins will be able to cater for five people. The regular inside cabins onboard the ship will be 16m² which is larger than any others in the current fleet.
The ship is 76,500 gross tons and will sail four different itineraries out of Palma, Majorca from May 2018. TUI Explorer will join TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2,