Thomson Cruises today announced its summer 2018 program which features the TUI Discovery based out of the UK for the first time, as well as the addition of 15 new ports of call, including Monaco, Ancona and Skiathos Town, and 12 brand new itineraries, according to a statement from the company.

The TUI Discovery will homeport Newcastle from May 2018 where it will visit the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Baltic.

The TUI Discovery then moves to Southampton later in September where it will finish its summer sailing four itineraries; Fantastic Fjords, Baltic Treasures, European Experience and Seeking the Northern Lights. 

The Thomson Celebration will move to Dubrovnik for summer 2018 where it will operate an adults-only program, which includes a no-sea day itinerary. Venetian Vistas now offers customers the chance to wake up in a new destination every day, said Thomson, spending full days in Bar, Montenegro; Korcula, Croatia; Zadar, Croatia; Venice, Italy; Trieste, Italy and Split, Croatia.

The Thomson Celebration will also sail two new itineraries, Sail Three Seas and Greek Mystique. Sail Three Seas will visit Valetta, Malta; Messina, Sicily; Kefalonia; Igoumenitsa, Greece and Kotor, Montenegro, while customers choosing Greek Mystique can explore Chania, Crete; Piraeus (for Athens), Greece; Kalamata, Greece; Corfu Town, Corfu and Kotor, Montenegro.

The new TUI Discovery 2 will sail four itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean from Corfu and the Thomson Dream will be based in Palma, Majorca.

Thomson Cruises’ newest ship, which is currently sailing as Mein Schiff 1 for TUI Cruises will also homeport in Palma, Majorca. 

Managing Director of Thomson Cruises Richard Sofer said: “We’re really excited about our summer 2018 program. We have a fantastic range of destinations on offer, with a real focus on hidden gems in the Mediterranean and a little closer to home in northern Europe.

“The move to bring TUI Discovery to both the north and the south of the UK also shows our commitment to offering choice and flexibility to our customers, giving them the opportunity to sail from a region close to home, as well as offering flights to other destinations from local airports.”