Thomson launches summer 2009 cruise brochure

With 59 itineraries and over 135 ports of call, Thomson Cruises is making cruising accessible to just about everyone.  Available in store and online at http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise, highlights include the re-launch of a Caribbean Winter cruise programme, an amazing new entertainment programme, and the all new ‘Get up and Dance!” experience on the Thomson Celebration. 

Thomson’s Caribbean Cruising: A Winter of Content from December 2008!

NEW: Thomson Cruises is set to return to the Caribbean for Winter 2008/09, with the Thomson Destiny set to make two transatlantic cruises - The Tropical Transatlantic and Transatlantic Sunrise - and two seven night cruises, the Coral Islands and Caribbean Gems.

The Tropical Transatlantic cruise features a 14 day itinerary that sees customers fly to Lisbon, Portugal to meet the Thomson Destiny.  There follows a five day Atlantic crossing to the Dominican Republic, where a seven night Coral Islands* or Caribbean Gems** itinerary starts, with guests returning to the UK from La Romana in the Dominican Republic.

The Transatlantic Sunrise 18 night cruise starts with a flight to the Dominican Republic, before the Thomson Destiny sails first for seven nights on either the Coral Islands* or Caribbean Gems** itinerary before crossing the Atlantic from Bridgetown in Barbados, taking in Gibraltar, Cartagena, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain before finally arriving back in Palma, Majorca.

The seven night *Coral Islands cruise sails from La Romana in the Dominican Republic to St Lucia, and will take in Barbados, Guadeloupe, St Kitts and Tortola before returning to La Romana. while the seven night **Caribbean Gems cruise departs La Romana and sails to Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, St Maarten and Tortola before returning to the Dominican Republic.

Thomson’s Caribbean Cruising: A New B(r)AND of Entertainment ‘A New Wave of Entertainment on the high Seas’

Thomson’s Caribbean Cruise programme will also feature a new entertainment programme ‘A New Wave of Entertainment on the high Seas’ with jazz and Dixieland band performances, Latin dancing classes and West End Style Shows sure to prove a hit with customers on the high seas.

Jazz up your Cruise…

NEW: For those travelling on the Tropical Transatlantic cruise, Dan Darling and his Lovely Chaps will bring classics from the likes of Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra to life.  The band, who have played with greats including Van Morrison and the Glen Miller Orchestra, include Dixieland, Swing and Rat-pack favourite in their repertoire. 

Meanwhile, Mart Rodgers Manchester Jazz Band is sure to be a hit on the Transatlantic Sunrise itinerary.  Their influences include Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong and, as well as the old favourites, they’ll be playing some of their own melodies. What’s more, they’ll be giving talks on the big names in jazz, together with musical demos illustrating trademarks of this popular genre.

…Or have ball with us!

NEW:  Further entertainment options include a taste of South America with demos and classes from top Latin dancers; a snapshot of London courtesy of glitzy West End-style shows; talks from experts in the world of music and dance… And there’s even a masquerade ball!

Lead in: 14 nights on the Tropical Transatlantic costs just £999 per person for 14 nights departing from Lisbon, Portugal on 07 December 2008 with flights from 5 UK airports taking customers to the port of departure.  Price includes return flights, full board, tips, port taxes and charges and fuel supplements.

Transatlantic Sunrise’s 18 night itinerary costs £1399 per person departing on 4 January 2009 with flights from 5 UK airports, including return flights, full board, tips, port taxes and charges and fuel supplements.  Flights are to La Romana and return from La Palma.

To book visit http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise or call 0871 230 2800.

NEW: Strictly Come Cruising with Dance Lessons on the Thomson Destiny

For three months starting in January 2009, Thomson Celebration will offer professional dance demos and classes to customers who wants to try their hand at Latin dance with the all new “Get up and Dance!” programme.  There’ll be classes for all levels, including one-to-one coaching, and there’ll even be a dance party to round off the cruise when our guests can show off their new found dance skills… and the experts take to the floor.

NEW: World Care Fund

For holidays departing from May 2009 onwards, all Thomson customers will have the opportunity to donate £1 per adult (50p per child) to the World Care Fund – see separate release.

Cruise and Stay options

There are Cruise and Stay options which precede or follow the 7 night cruises in Dominican Republic, Cyprus, Madeira, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Sharm el Sheikh, Majorca, Corfu and Halkidiki.  A La Carte, Platinum, Gold, Small & Friendly and Family Club Extra properties are available to combine with 7 night cruises in many of our resorts.

Lead in price for the 4T Hotel Barcelo Premium in Dominican Republic on an all-inclusive basis for seven nights after the Caribbean Gems itinerary is £1199 based on two sharing.  Cruise is based on two sharing inside cabin deck 2/3 and departs on 11 January 2009 with flights from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Manchester and London Gatwick.  Price includes seven night hotel accommodation, full board on cruise, return flights, taxes and charges, tips and fuel supplements.

Discounts and special offers:

Savings of up to £300 per couple on certain itineraries; Upgrades to All Inclusive from just £69; Savings up to 50% on cabin upgrades for all cruises; Group discount – great savings for groups of 10 adults or more.  Special Cabin Offer – on Thomson Spirit “Red Sea Magic” (winter only). See brochure for further details and to book visit http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise or call 0871 230 2800.