Thomson Cruises to drop Emerald ship from 2009

**Ally** · 04-16-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Thomson Cruises will no longer charter its Emerald cruise ship after this summer amid plans for a larger, more modern ship in 2010.

The news comes as the company launches its summer 2009 programme, which includes a return to the Caribbean after a gap of eight years.

David Selby, director of cruising for TUI Travel mainstream division, said: "We have had Thomson Emerald for 11 years and it is as popular as ever, but the longer term strategy is to have more modern, larger vessels."

It means the cruiseline will have four instead of five ships offering cruises next year. Thomson charters rather than owns ships, some of which are on short-term leases.

Thomson Celebration will take on Emerald's itineraries around Dubrovnik and the Greek islands in 2009 while only Thomson Destiny - instead of two ships - will offer cruises out of Palma next year.

Thomson Emerald's last cruise will be on October 17 from Corfu to the Greek islands, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and Lebanon and high demand is expected for the 1,000-passenger ship this summer.

New for winter 2008/2009 will be a return to the Caribbean for Thomson Destiny, including two transatlantic voyages and two seven-night cruises, based on trade and consumer feedback.

Following the success of dance fever competitions on board Destiny last winter, for the first three months of 2009 there will be professional Latin dance demonstrations and classes on Celebration.

Also new for 2009 is a luggage allowance of 25kg instead of 20kg, and 30kg for suites.

**Ally** · 04-16-2008, 02:14 PM

Now why do I find this a little bit of a coincidence?

Louis Lines (who charter Emerald to Thomsons) are negotiating to buy two soon to be ex NCL vessels.

Norwegian Dream is available from November this year. Norwegian Majesty will not be available til 2009 (which happens to fit in nicely with the Emerald leaving the fleet).

I know TUI have said they are running 4 ships next year, but they would have to say that as the deal with the NCL ships has not been inked yet.

Food for thought

**middy** · 04-16-2008, 02:17 PM

Sounds good for me.

Emerald was my least favourite of the fleet. Glad Celebration is taking over the itinery as like her and always prefer eastern med. I sense a booking coming on.

**Ally** · 04-16-2008, 02:19 PM

Wait til the deal is finalised...Majesty is a lovely ship

**middy** · 04-16-2008, 02:25 PM

Have to admit the possibility of one of the ships from the proposed deal did cross my mind.

**Ally** · 04-16-2008, 02:30 PM

Majesty is the better of the two really as when she was stretched, they managed to keep the flow of the interior better than with Dream. Having said that, both are nice ships and if LL do get them secured, then they will probably redo the interiors to suit Thomsons anyway.