Thomson Cruises is reintroducing cruises from the UK in 2012 for the first time since summer 2009. Thomson Spirit will be based in Newcastle from May to July and Harwich in August and September next year.
The 1,524-passenger vessel will sail 15 ex-UK itineraries, taking in 39 destinations with cruises of between three and 14 nights in duration.
An 11-night round Britain and Ireland cruise is being introduced visiting Guernsey, Dublin, Isle of Man, Isle of Mull, Orkney Islands and Edinburgh. Prices start at £949 per person.
Other itineraries cover the Baltic, Icelandic and Norwegian fjord regions and a one-off ‘Weekend Affair’ cruise to Belgium and Holland.
Early booking offers which apply until June 30 include £100 on board spend, 25% discounts on cabin upgrades, free port car parking at Harwich or Newcastle or free coach transfers to the ship.
Bookings for the ex-UK cruises open on April 7 with the remainder of the programme going on sale on May 5. Thomson is offering all-inclusive upgrades on all fly-cruises on Thomson Dream, Thomson Destiny and Thomson Spirit summer 2012 cruises.
Thomson Destiny is to move from Palma to sail from Corfu on seven and 14 night itineraries from May 4, 2012. Newest ship Thomson Dream will run four itineraries from Palma with Tangier, Casablanca and Gibraltar new destinations.
After completing the ex-UK cruises Thomson Spirit will operate from Palma from October 6, 2012 on a seven-night ‘Highlights of the Mediterranean’ itinerary.
Thomson Celebration will continue sailing from Marmaris from May 2012 on four itineraries with the island of Bozcaada in Turkey a new port of call.
Thomson Cruises commercial manager Phil Gardner said: “As a British Cruise company we are very excited to be back cruising from the UK.
“We have widened the portfolio of destinations we offer on our cruises to give customers even more choice. We have also listened to our customers who have requested the return of our UK programme and responded.
“Customers will now be able to experience the great service, value and holiday they get on a Thomson Cruise without even having to step on a plane.”