Thomson Cruises takes on a new look in 2010 with the introduction of a new flagship.
Thomson Dream, formerly the highly rated Costa Europa, joins the fleet in time for
next summer offering three itineraries in the Mediterranean.
This will return the fleet up to four ships following the Calypso retiring at the
end of 2009.
Thomson has also taken on the informal Island Cruises brand and is operating the
ship Island Escape.
The 1,500-passenger Thomson Dream will run three fly-cruise itineraries in the Med
next summer taking in highlights such as Barcelona, Naples, Tunisia, Italy, Menorca
and Corsica. The ship has five restaurants, five bars, three lounges, a theatre,
casino, nightclub and two pools.
While Thomson is aimed squarely at families, the company is to run adults-only cruises
on the new vessel in June and September next year.
The company is also expanding in the eastern Med for 2010 with Thomson Celebration
sailing a new variety of itineraries out of Marmaris in Turkey and Thomson Spirit
relocating to Corfu to run sailings to Venice, Dubrovnik, Kotor in Montenegro, Athens
and Rhodes.
Thomson Celebration cruises from May 2010 will take in ports such as Izmir, Santorini
in Greece; Alexandria in Egypt and Ashdod in Israel.
Thomson Destiny will be sailing the summer out of Palma in Majorca with departures
on Saturdays rather than Thursdays with connections from 14 regional UK airports.