24th September 2017
On an English Autumn Sunday I was very happy to take a train to London Gatwick Airport ready for what seemed like an unusual experience for me: a package holiday with flights included. I had booked to sail on the good ship DISCOVERY 2, ostensibly a TUI ship, but a Thomson Cruise. Many of us in the UK have occasionally been puzzled about the change of name from Thomson Cruises, which has such a good reputation and following, here in the UK at least, but no matter.
I read that she was built at St. Nazaire in France, in 1995, at 69,130 gross tons, for Royal Caribbean Cruises. She was named LEGEND OF THE SEAS. In March 2017 she was sold on to TUI UK, and in April 2017 she was named TUI DISCOVERY 2. This is the ship we will be sailing on today, just a few months after she joined TUI. Just for the record, next month, in October 2017, she will be re-named MARELLA DISCOVERY 2.
Once at Gatwick airport I met up with one of my good friends and we checked in for a 4.30 p.m. flight from here to Malaga, Spain, for 5 nights on board the ship. In fact there were a couple of no-shows for the flight, so their luggage had to be removed from the hold and finally we were able to taxi and take off..
By this time I was so very grateful I had chosen to book an aisle seat because the passenger on my left was the largest man in the world! He really must have been, and he was travelling with a female in the window seat next to him. I think the steward had to bring him a seat belt extension to comply with airline requirements. We are on a TUI Dreamliner, which is noticeably big and spacious and obviously takes a ship-load of passengers from the UK.
During the flight I bought three scratch cards and won a £2 voucher for use on my return flight, so that was a bit of a bonus. During the flight one announcement was made requesting that "Anyone wanting Champagne etc. should tell staff so bottles can be put on ice." That was the moment when I truly realised I wasn't on an easyJet flight but a Thomson one!
My friend had been allocated a different seat for the flight but we met up again on landing at Malaga airport in the darkness. We collected our bags in the airport terminal and then took them across to one of the coaches waiting for us all. It was a fast ride to the port terminal where the big new TUI DISCOVERY 2 was at a berth and waiting for us to check in. We put our bags in the cabins and then went to see about dinner.
Welcome on board
In the Upper deck of the Restaurant was the 47⁰ Gallery and this lovely and lively area proved an excellent choice. I think I was charmed as soon as we sat down by the presentation of a small plate of tasty looking Italian goodies to share, which were described on the Menu as "While you are waiting". The meal that followed was very enjoyable too, and most welcome after a long day of travelling.
"While you are waiting"
On deck afterwards we joined the other cheerful passengers as we waited for our 10 p.m. departure.
Top of the Atrium on deck
Enjoying the music and dancing on deck
This time came and went as the music and dancing continued in the balmy warmth of this southern Spanish port; then we noticed that on the dockside more passengers were beginning to arrive and embark on TUI DISCOVERY 2. The check in for them must have taken a while because we finally sailed at 11.30 p.m. Everyone had had a long day and most of us chose to leave the decks after sailing.
As we sail away we have started our 5 night 'Spanish Escapes' cruise from here in Malaga, then calling at Cadiz in Spain, Gibraltar UK, a day at sea, Funchal in Madeira, and ending in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. We disembark there and fly back to the UK on a new 787 Dreamliner aircraft of Thomson Airways.
Ships seen in Malaga: Fortuny
To be continued...
