MS Thomson Destiny

MS "Thomson Destiny" is a cruise ship owned by the Cyprus-based shipping company Louis Cruise Lines, under long-term charter to the United Kingdom-based Thomson Cruises. She was built in 1982 at Wärtsilä Helsinki, Finland for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as MS "Song of America". Between 1999 and 2004 she sailed for Sun Cruises as MS "Sunbird."

History

"Song of America"

The "Song of America" was the fourth new ship to be built for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and the largest to date. She was the first cruise ship to have a deck layout with cabins to the fore of the ship, furthest from engine noise, and public spaces to aft. Additionally, the public spaces on decks five and seven were built with 1½ times the standard deck height, leading to deck 6 only existing in the forward part of the ship. With RCCL, she was mainly used for cruising in the Caribbean.

"Sunbird"

In May 1998, the "Song of America" was sold to Sun Cruises (owned by Airtours) for $94.5 million (recognized gain on the sale was $31.0 million). Sun Cruises then chartered the ship back to RCCL until March 1999. Unlike with earlier ships the RCCL sold, the 'sky lounge' around the ship's funnel was not removed before she was handed over to the new owners. The ship was renamed MS "Sunbird", rebuilt with additional suites on deck 9 and used for cruising around Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean. Later during her Sun Cruises service the ship received MyTravel colours.

"Thomson Destiny"

In 2004, Airtours withdrew from the cruise business, and the "Sunbird" was sold to a Norway-based company, who chartered the ship to Louis Cruise Lines, who in turn sub chartered her with a crew to Thomson Cruises as MS "Thomson Destiny". With Thomson, the ship has been used for cruising in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Canary Islands and the west coast of Africa. Recentlywhen, Louis Cruise Lines purchased the "Thomson Destiny" alongside the MS|Thomson Spirit.

Decks

Thomson Destiny has twelve decks, eleven of which are accessible to passengers.

# Engine room, crew spaces, gangway
# Outside and inside cabins
# Outside and inside cabins
# Outside and inside cabins, internet room, reception, library, Seven Seas restaurant, shops
# Outside and inside cabins, Can Can Show lounge, Casino Royale, Clipper Bar, Oklahoma Lounge nightclub, beauty salon
# Outside and inside cabins (deck only exists in the forward part of the ship)
# Deluxe cabins, Blake's bar/café/lounge, kidzone
# Saunas, gym
# Suites, poolside café, Lido Pool Bar, swimming pools, sun deck, lido buffét restaurant
# Mast bar
# Toilets below the skybar
# Skybar

External links

* [http://www.thomsonbeach.co.uk/th/cruise/updateShipAndSeasonCodeForShipDetails.do?shipCode=150004 Company Website for Thomson Destiny]
* [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/song_of_america_1982.htm MS Song of America] at [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/ Fakta om Fartyg] (in Swedish)
* [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/RCI_SongOfAmericaPCs.html MS Song of America] at [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/ Simplon Postcards] (in English)
* [http://sec.edgar-online.com/2001/04/17/0000950144-01-500838/Section6.asp SEC Edgar for sale of ship]
* [http://ships.galutschek.at/thomson_destiny/ Video Clips of Thomson Destiny]