Magic of Spain cruise is star of the Med complete with new ship, Jess Glynne, belly-dancers and celebrity chef
Make dinner reservations, book the spa or order your usual with a press of a button from The Veranda of cruise ship
CRUISING has always been about discovery for me – from waking in a new destination to finding different cultures and food.
And on Thomson’s newest ship I got all of that and much, much more.
There was singing sensation Jess Glynne to start with. Not to mention a bull, belly-dancers and a bright yellow alpaca.
Welcome to the aptly named TUI Discovery — now the biggest ship in the Thomson fleet — which set sail from Palma in Majorca on her maiden voyage last week.
She is being heralded as the future of sailing and it is easy to see why. New technology plays a big role on the 1,830-passenger ship.
You can order your favourite drink at the touch of a button from a sun lounger on The Veranda, make dinner, spa and entertainment reservations at self-service kiosks on board and browse and buy photos of you and your family taken throughout the trip using screens and your room key.
Jess was the top-of-the-bill, surprise guest during the launch party, where she performed hits from her best-selling album I Cry When I Laugh.
Before she took the evening by storm, the ship’s own entertainment team put on a fantastic show.
There was a nod to the countries the ship will visit, from its summer season in the Med to winter in the Caribbean.
Hence the bull and belly-dancer. Quite where the yellow alpaca comes in I am not sure.
There is also a blue one on the other side of the ship — just to add some fun.
Renaming the ship TUI Discovery is part of a rebrand which will involve the whole of Thomson switching to TUI over the next 18 months, with a further three new ships joining the fleet.
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Celebrity chef is overseeing menu
But while the name changes, some things will remain the same — most importantly the super-friendliness on board that has made Thomson Cruises a favourite.
I have been lucky enough to experience that service on Thomson before and this time was no different.
The ship was formerly owned by Royal Caribbean and Thomson has given her a refit from bow to stern.
A team of 40 used 20,000 litres of paint inside and out, giving her a blue and white Thomson makeover.
The interior is bright and cheery, without being tacky. At 866ft long, TUI Discovery has 915 cabins and just under half of them have balconies.
There are a number of new features on board, including speciality restaurants.
I especially loved Snack Shack on the pool deck.
It features little beach hut-style booths and grab-and-go food, as well as takeaway fare.
Thomson has also linked up with a celebrity chef for the first time.
Former executive head chef at Harrods and TV personality Ian Pengelley is overseeing the menu at Kora La.
This is the pan-Asian restaurant and sushi bar where you need to pay a nominal cover charge.
One thing is for sure, you won’t go hungry with seven spots for lunch and dinner.
Add to that extensive children’s facilities, an indoor pool, a lovely spa, new bars including Venue (where you get to play with your favourite bands, interactively of course) — and I think you will agree, there is lots to discover on TUI Discovery.
GO MAGIC OF SPAIN
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A seven-night full-board Magic of Spain cruise onboard TUI Discovery is from £849 per person, including flights from Gatwick on July 16.
The ship departs Palma and visits Gibraltar, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga and Cartagena.
Includes return flights, transfers, taxes, tips and service charges.
To book, go to thomson.co.uk/cruise or call 0871 230 2800.
