Marella Discovery

Marella Discovery is a Vision-class cruise ship operated by Marella Cruises, the holiday-cruise brand associated with TUI Group. The vessel was constructed at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, under the yard number B31. It was launched on 17 June 1995 and entered commercial service on 31 March 1996 as Splendour of the Seas for Royal Caribbean International. The ship is registered in Nassau, Bahamas. The vessel was the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Vision class. Its design emphasizes a broad range of public amenities within a comparatively compact cruise-ship platform, including a seven-storey central lobby, a theatre, casino, main dining room, rock-climbing wall and nine-hole miniature-golf course. It has eleven passenger-accessible decks, 902 cabins and capacity for approximately 2,074 passengers. The standard crew complement is about 720, with additional accommodation available when required. During its Royal Caribbean career, Splendour of the Seas operated varied itineraries. It spent southern-hemisphere summers in Brazil and sailed from South America, while northern-hemisphere seasons included cruises from Venice to the Eastern Mediterranean. It also operated seven- to eight-night voyages from Dubai during the 2015–2016 winter season, visiting destinations including Muscat and Abu Dhabi. In 2011, Royal Caribbean contracted Navantia to undertake structural and technical work, including maintenance of propulsion components, interior improvements and the addition of 124 balconies. Royal Caribbean sold the ship to TUI Cruises in March 2015. It completed its final Royal Caribbean sailing on 4 April 2016, after which it was refurbished and transferred into the Thomson Cruises operation, initially under the name TUI Discovery. The original intention was reportedly to use the name Thomson Discovery, but the TUI Discovery name reflected the group's branding direction at the time. The ship was based from Palma de Mallorca and Bridgetown from June 2016. In October 2017, Thomson Cruises announced that it would be renamed Marella Cruises. TUI Group subsequently announced that TUI Discovery would become Marella Discovery at the end of that month. The renamed ship was planned to become the first vessel in the Thomson/Marella fleet to be home-ported in Asia, with Malaysia identified as its base for autumn 2018 after its initial United Kingdom season. Marella Discovery is approximately 264 metres long, with a beam of 32 metres, gross tonnage of 69,130 and a maximum speed of about 24 knots. Its propulsion system uses five Wärtsilä Vasa 12V46B engines driving two fixed-pitch propellers, supplemented by bow and stern thrusters and stabilizers. The ship can produce up to approximately 1.1 million litres of fresh water daily. Its identity is therefore tied less to an independent corporate brand than to successive operating brands and ownership arrangements: Royal Caribbean International, TUI Cruises, Thomson Cruises and Marella Cruises.

Marella Discovery began as Splendour of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International Vision-class vessel built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship was assigned yard number B31 and launched on 17 June 1995. Its maiden voyage began on 31 March 1996. It was registered at Nassau in the Bahamas. The vessel's original operating role was as a relatively compact cruise ship offering a mixture of regional itineraries and onboard facilities. Its Vision-class design included a prominent seven-storey lobby, a theatre, casino, dining venues, a rock-climbing wall and miniature golf. Passenger accommodation extended across several decks, while public outdoor areas were concentrated toward the upper decks. The ship could carry approximately 2,074 passengers in 902 cabins and normally operated with a crew of around 720. Splendour of the Seas operated in several markets during its Royal Caribbean career. Until April 2016, it commonly spent southern-hemisphere summers in Brazil and South America, with itineraries ranging from short cruises to voyages of up to twelve nights. During northern-hemisphere summers it operated from Venice on Eastern Mediterranean routes. In the 2015–2016 winter season it also sailed from Dubai on seven- and eight-night itineraries calling at destinations such as Muscat and Abu Dhabi. Royal Caribbean and Navantia agreed in October 2011 that Navantia would undertake a substantial work package. The project included structural modifications, propulsion-related maintenance, interior upgrades, new dining and public areas, improvements to staterooms and the installation of 124 additional balconies. The work was expected to take about five weeks. On 22 October 2015, while sailing in the Mediterranean, the ship experienced an engine-room fire. The crew brought the fire under control after approximately two hours. Royal Caribbean reported no injuries, and the vessel continued its voyage toward Venice. The incident did not end the ship's service career. In March 2015, Royal Caribbean sold the vessel to TUI Cruises. It completed its last Royal Caribbean voyage on 4 April 2016 and subsequently underwent refurbishment before entering the Thomson Cruises fleet. It was initially named TUI Discovery. Although Thomson Discovery had been considered, the TUI Discovery name was selected in the context of the group's branding. From June 2016, the ship operated from Palma de Mallorca and Bridgetown. A major identity change followed the 2017 rebranding of Thomson Cruises as Marella Cruises. Announced in October, the change made TUI Discovery Marella Discovery at the end of that month. The ship was also selected for an expansion of the fleet's geographic footprint, with Malaysia announced as a planned Asian home port for autumn 2018 after the vessel's United Kingdom debut season. The ship is about 264 metres long and 32 metres wide, with gross tonnage of 69,130. Five Wärtsilä Vasa 12V46B engines provide power to two fixed-pitch propellers, while bow and stern thrusters assist manoeuvring. Stabilizers support operation in open water. The vessel has a stated maximum speed of approximately 24 knots and can generate roughly 1.1 million litres of fresh water per day. Its historical importance lies in its successive transitions between major cruise operators and brand identities rather than in ownership of a standalone consumer company.

• 2017

  Renamed Marella Discovery

  [1]Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org

  The ship adopted the Marella Discovery name after Thomson Cruises announced its rebranding as Marella Cruises.

• 2016

  Transferred to the Thomson operation

  [1]Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org

  After its final Royal Caribbean sailing on 4 April, the ship was refurbished and entered service as TUI Discovery.

• 2015

  Sold to TUI Cruises

  [1]Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org

  Royal Caribbean sold Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises in March.

• 2011

  Navantia refurbishment contract

  [1]Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org

  Royal Caribbean contracted Navantia for structural, propulsion, interior and stateroom improvements, including 124 new balconies.

• 1996

  Entered service as Splendour of the Seas

  [1]Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org

  The ship began its maiden voyage on 31 March 1996 for Royal Caribbean International.

• 1995

  Ship launched at Saint-Nazaire

  [1]Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org

  The vessel was launched on 17 June 1995 at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France under the yard number B31.

A mid-sized, amenity-rich cruise ship positioned within Marella Cruises' leisure-oriented holiday fleet, combining multiple dining, entertainment and outdoor recreation facilities with itineraries across regional cruise markets.

• Passenger cruise ship · 1995

  Marella Discovery cruise ship

  The ship is a Vision-class passenger vessel of approximately 69,130 gross tonnes. It provides 902 cabins, accommodation for about 2,074 passengers, and a standard crew complement of around 720. Onboard facilities include a theatre, casino, main dining room, seven-storey lobby, rock-climbing wall and nine-hole miniature-golf course. Its itinerary portfolio has included Mediterranean, Caribbean, South American, Northern European and Asian cruises.

• 2017

  Adoption of the Marella Discovery identityStrategy

  Background

  TUI Group rebranded Thomson Cruises as Marella Cruises in an effort to establish a distinct cruise identity.

  Action taken

  TUI Discovery was renamed Marella Discovery and assigned to the renamed Marella Cruises fleet.

  Aftermath

  The ship was presented as part of Marella's geographic expansion, including a planned Malaysian home port for autumn 2018.

  Source

• 2015

  Transfer from Royal Caribbean to TUI CruisesM&A

  Background

  Royal Caribbean sold Splendour of the Seas as the vessel approached the end of its original operator's service period.

  Action taken

  TUI Cruises acquired the ship and arranged its subsequent use in the Thomson Cruises operation.

  Aftermath

  The ship completed its final Royal Caribbean sailing in April 2016 and entered a refurbished service under the TUI Discovery name.

  Source

1. 1Marella Discoveryen.wikipedia.org