16 April 2009

Thomson Cruises to focus on eastern Med

Thomson Cruises is to position a ship in Turkey next summer as part of a focus on the Eastern Mediterranean

The Thomson Celebration will run new itineraries from Marmaris in Turkey.

The company is also relocating the Thomson Spirit to Corfu for 2010.

Thomson Celebration’s fly-cruises from May next year will cover destinations including Izmir, Santorini, Alexandria and Ashdod in Israel with prices starting at £779 per person.

Thomson Spirit will sail from Corfu to Venice, Dubrovnik, Kotor in Montenegro, Athens and Rhodes with rates starting at £749.

TUI UK & Ireland director of cruising David Selby said: "Our new summer 2010 programme reaffirms our belief that the Eastern Mediterranean is the next cruising hotspot for the UK market, it reflects our ongoing commitment to our customers and what we believe they are looking for when booking a cruise holiday.

"The launch of a brand new full season of cruises from Marmaris in Turkey with flights from 12 UK airports offers our customers easy access to an exciting and popular area of the Mediterranean."

Thomson Destiny will run three itineraries from Palma with departures on Saturdays rather than Thursdays with connecting flights from 14 UK airports. Prices start at £699.

The line is retiring smallest ship Calypso at the end of 2009 after a summer of cruises from Halkidiki and an seven-night farewell voyage from Limassol.