By
Rebecca Gibson |
Interior fit-out company McCue Crafted Fit has secured its first two cruise ship refurbishment contracts from Thomson Cruises.
McCue has delivered many land-based retail and hospitality projects in the UK, Ireland and Europe, and also has its own manufacturing facility in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. The firm revealed its plans to enter the cruise and ferry refurbishment market at Cruise Shipping Miami 2014 and will refit Thomson Cruises’ Thomson Celebration and Thomson Dream this winter.
“Having visited our production facility here in County Antrim, I am delighted Thomson Cruises has gained the confidence in placing this business with us,” said Les McCracken, managing director of McCue. “We realise that we are new to this sector, however our land-based experience, coupled with our team ethos on quality and on-time delivery, should allow us to gain a foothold in this market.”
Part of the cruise line’s modernisation strategy, the refit projects follow on from a 2012 upgrade of both ships’ cabins and some public areas. This year, updates to the vessels’ public areas will include a new sunbathing deck with lounges and an Asian-themed a la carte restaurant Kora La.
In addition, the line will refresh the menu and décor in the Terrace Grill onboard Thomson Dream, while the ship’s former Argo Lounge will be replaced by The Explorers’ Lounge & The Coffee Port and Oceans Bar will reopen as Tides Bar. Thomson Dream will be upgraded in Gibraltar in December.
Meanwhile, Thomson Celebration’s Liberties lounge will be renewed, while the adjoining external deck will be fitted with a new permanent bar facility, prefabricated in McCue’s 60,000 sqft joinery facility close to Belfast, Northern Ireland. The ship will be refurbished quayside in Cyprus in November.