On 10 June 2016 Thomson Cruises launched its newest ship, TUI Discovery, at a ceremony in Palma, Majorca. The evening commenced with keynote speeches from; Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, TUI UK & Ireland Managing Director Nick Longman and TUI Discovery Captain, John Westgarth-Pratt.
On board deck 9 there was an action-packed production of performers from the destinations visited by the Thomson fleet, including a gigantic Spanish bull puppet, Caribbean carnival dancers in full costume, Middle Eastern whirling dervishes and belly dancers.
The ship’s godmothers Mimi Kasomwoshi Ragui and Hazel Ceguera, both Thomson Cruises colleagues, were welcomed on stage during the show to formally christen the ship.
Pop star Jess Glynne sang a medley of number one hits from her bestselling album, ‘I Cry When I Laugh’. Fireworks lit up the city to close the show as she finished her set with her hit ‘Hold My Hand’, before the ship set sail for Barcelona.
The spectacular show was the brainchild of Black Skull Creative’s Dan Shipton and Ross Nicholson, who together have produced high profile events such as the glittering London 2012 Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies and worked with celeb names such as Ellie Goulding.
The move to name the newest addition to the Thomson Cruises fleet TUI Discovery is part of the re-brand which will see the whole of Thomson transition to TUI over the next eighteen months. Thomson Cruises recently announced the expansion of its fleet with the acquisition of “Legend of the Seas” from Royal Caribbean International (RCI). Thomson Cruises will operate the vessel, to be renamed “TUI Discovery 2”, from May 2017.
