Press Release
Thomson Cruises to drop Emerald ship from 2009
(17 April 2008)
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.
Typical - it has taken us about 4 / 5 years to decide which boat / cruise we want for 2009 and they take the ship off! 
Don't suppose anyone knows if they are likely to replace it with a ship that has balcony cabins as this is the one thing I'd dream of and the one thing that has put me off the Emerald.
Groannnnnn
Us Prestos
Don't suppose anyone knows if they are likely to replace it with a ship that has balcony cabins as this is the one thing I'd dream of and the one thing that has put me off the Emerald.
Groannnnnn
Us Prestos
Oh great - our first adventure into the world of cruises is this ship's last but one. I do hope it isn't too shabby or the crew too jaded or we're likely to be put off for life. Off on the Emerald on 3 Oct to Eastern Med for 2 weeks, seeing as it was hubby's idea and I wasn't keen to go in the first place......................!!!***
To Gary&MarksMum....Have sent you a PM about your "predicament".
The following is interesting in light of the withdrawal of Emerald from October this year. Tui, the German company, is the parent of Thomson holidays. Could it be that the Celebrity Galaxy is the ship to replace the Emerald?
Watch this space!
http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2547
luci
Watch this space!
http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2547
luci
-
Edited by
luci HT Mod
2008-04-29 15:13:09
Article deleted and replace with link due to copyright reasons
Hi all
Sorry to have brought the bad news to all, when the press release was sent. For all the fans and lovers of the Emerald, trust in us to really give her a good send off in October. We still have the last two weeks booked and I was talking to some old crew who are looking to see if Thomson will let them have crew rates to say goodbye to her too.
As for replacement ships, there will be no replacement for 2009, with them going back to only having 4 ships without the Emerald.
Early guesses are that Lois cruise lines who charter the ships to Thomson, will have a bigger ship such as the Orion available to them for 2010.
Don't forget that Thomson are linked (via TUI) with the other cruise lines and they could always amalgamate
Andy
Sorry to have brought the bad news to all, when the press release was sent. For all the fans and lovers of the Emerald, trust in us to really give her a good send off in October. We still have the last two weeks booked and I was talking to some old crew who are looking to see if Thomson will let them have crew rates to say goodbye to her too.
As for replacement ships, there will be no replacement for 2009, with them going back to only having 4 ships without the Emerald.
Early guesses are that Lois cruise lines who charter the ships to Thomson, will have a bigger ship such as the Orion available to them for 2010.
Don't forget that Thomson are linked (via TUI) with the other cruise lines and they could always amalgamate
Andy
Sorry Luci for pasting the cruise critic announcement. Did not realise this was against rules!! will not repeat this in future.
hamrag
If you check the bottom of the CC site it states that it may be copied for personal use, but not for publication. This could cause problems for HT.
luci
If you check the bottom of the CC site it states that it may be copied for personal use, but not for publication. This could cause problems for HT.
luci
Further info
The Celebrity Galaxy will not form part of the Thomson cruises line.
When the ship finishes its current itinery, it will be transferred to TUI AG
Basically the TUI AG is special German tailored cruises, where the food will be german style and the onboard language will probably be predominantly german.
The ship under TUI AG will be one of the first ships to run under the new TUI / Royal Caribbean Cruises 50 / 50 venture, so sorry, no replacement for the Emerald from this ship
Andy
The Celebrity Galaxy will not form part of the Thomson cruises line.
When the ship finishes its current itinery, it will be transferred to TUI AG
Basically the TUI AG is special German tailored cruises, where the food will be german style and the onboard language will probably be predominantly german.
The ship under TUI AG will be one of the first ships to run under the new TUI / Royal Caribbean Cruises 50 / 50 venture, so sorry, no replacement for the Emerald from this ship
Andy
Hi,
I've just booked to go on the Emerald leaving Corfu 27th June, anyone else going on this date?
Wendy
I've just booked to go on the Emerald leaving Corfu 27th June, anyone else going on this date?
Wendy
Still looking for people doing the Pearls of the Aegean cruise from 13th June.
Taylaboo
Taylaboo
Hi,
Have booked a cruise on the Emerald for June, in the new brochure for next year it says it's it's Farewell Cruise, so it's just doing next years season.
Anyone else going on 27th June? If so fancy meeting up for a drink?
Wendy
Have booked a cruise on the Emerald for June, in the new brochure for next year it says it's it's Farewell Cruise, so it's just doing next years season.
Anyone else going on 27th June? If so fancy meeting up for a drink?
Wendy
Hi taylaboo,
Look forward to reading your report, are you just doing the cruise or are you having a weeks beach holiday in Corfu as well, we're doing the cruise then having a week at the Louis Grand Hotel. We originally booked with Balkan Holidays to do a week on a sailing yacht on the Black sea and a week in Golden Sands, Bulgaria, but the cruise was cancelled due to lack of response, so I only booked this holiday last Wednesday, really getting excited about it now.
Wendy
Look forward to reading your report, are you just doing the cruise or are you having a weeks beach holiday in Corfu as well, we're doing the cruise then having a week at the Louis Grand Hotel. We originally booked with Balkan Holidays to do a week on a sailing yacht on the Black sea and a week in Golden Sands, Bulgaria, but the cruise was cancelled due to lack of response, so I only booked this holiday last Wednesday, really getting excited about it now.
Wendy
Hi Wendy We have friends who live on Corfu and they are meeting us at the port after the cruise and we are having a week with them. We usually go over a couple of times a year and love the island. 26 days and counting!
Linda
Linda
Anyone who is thinking of doing a cruise or hotel review would be well advised to type it out in Word or similar first and save it. We are having major problems at the moment with people typing their review "live" and losing it.
luci
luci
Hi,
Can anyone let me know the approximate prices for the tours, and is it better to book them on the ship please.
Wendy
Can anyone let me know the approximate prices for the tours, and is it better to book them on the ship please.
Wendy
Hi Wendy
If you go to the Thompson website and look at the ports of call that will list most of the tours available for your cruise including the duration and the price.
mtek
If you go to the Thompson website and look at the ports of call that will list most of the tours available for your cruise including the duration and the price.
mtek
Hi we are considering our first cruise for this July (Greece & Turkey).
Can anyone advise is it worthwhile upgrading to All Inclusive from full board. My OH doesnt drink and although I would have a few drinks in the evening, I wouldnt drink lots. We do drink lots during the day in the way of soft drinks, diet coke and water normally.
Any advise would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.
Can anyone advise is it worthwhile upgrading to All Inclusive from full board. My OH doesnt drink and although I would have a few drinks in the evening, I wouldnt drink lots. We do drink lots during the day in the way of soft drinks, diet coke and water normally.
Any advise would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.
If only one of you drinks then I don't think it will be worth it, If there is an adult soda option that may be the way to go.
I found that when AI was around the £100pppw we would just break even, so worth it for the convenience, but I was drinking more then so no longer bother.
On a busy itinerary where you are off the ship a lot you just don't have the time and don't want to over do it at night if there is an early start
You can always load up with soda before you go and at each port to supliment the on board if there is no adult doda option.
On a Sun cruise we did once manage to get AI for one and a soda(child)pack for the OH when they were promoting AI on boarding, so that time it worked out well, but I doubt this is an option these days with Thomsons.
I found that when AI was around the £100pppw we would just break even, so worth it for the convenience, but I was drinking more then so no longer bother.
On a busy itinerary where you are off the ship a lot you just don't have the time and don't want to over do it at night if there is an early start
You can always load up with soda before you go and at each port to supliment the on board if there is no adult doda option.
On a Sun cruise we did once manage to get AI for one and a soda(child)pack for the OH when they were promoting AI on boarding, so that time it worked out well, but I doubt this is an option these days with Thomsons.
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