Cruise ship will be sold to TUI Cruises in 2016 when she will be operated by Thomson Cruises
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is to sell Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises in the second quarter of 2016.
Built by Chantiers de L’Atlantique (now STX France), the 69,130gt Splendour of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean International fleet in 1996. She can accommodate 1,830 guests at double occupancy and 760 crew.
The vessel will sail her final cruise for Royal Caribbean International on 4 April 2016 and will be operated by Thomson Cruises after she is sold to TUI.
“Splendour of the Seas debuted in 1996 and has served Royal Caribbean International extremely well,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “The ship’s sale is in line with our strategic objective of divesting ourselves of older hardware and keeps us firmly on the course to the Double-Double.”
Splendour of the Seas will complete all scheduled open deployment and no sailings will be altered or disrupted due to the sale. All officers and crew will remain with the company and will be transferred to other vessels worldwide after the ship leaves the Royal Caribbean International fleet.
“Splendour of the Seas has been a treasured member of the Royal Caribbean International family since she entered service,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “She has offered countless guests memorable vacation experiences and we look forward to continuing to provide the same Gold Anchor Service our brand is known for right up to the last sailing.”