TUI Cruises
A ship with European decor for family-friendly British cruisers
The Ship. TUI Discovery 2 has a fairly modern profile and a nicely tiered stern, although its ‘duck-tail’ stern, fitted to aid stability, is not particularly handsome. The pool deck amidships overhangs the hull to provide an extremely wide deck, while still allowing the ship to navigate the Panama Canal. With engines placed midships, there is little noise and no noticeable vibration, and the ship has an operating speed of up to 24 knots.
The outside light is brought inside in many places. There’s a single-level sliding glass roof over the more formal setting of one of two swimming pools, providing an all-weather indoor-outdoor area called the Solarium. Inside, two full entertainment decks are sandwiched between five decks full of cabins, so there are plenty of public rooms to lounge and drink in. A seven-deck-high Atrium (lobby) is the main focal point, and the social meeting place. On its various levels it houses an Atrium Bar, Cocktail and Piano Bar, several passenger-service counters, and a casino (for table gaming and slot machines). Set around the base of the funnel is a Sky Lounge, bar,and an extra-cost à la carte restaurant..
Overall, TUI Discovery 2 should provide you with a very pleasant cruise experience if you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the latest ships, but like to have the choice of several dining options and various contemporary bars and lounge. However, the ship is showing its age in some areas.
Accommodation. There are many different cabin price grades. Some cabins on Deck 8 have a larger door for wheelchair access, and there are other cabins that are suitable for less-mobile passengers; the ship’s open layout makes it easy to get around.
All cabins have a sitting area and a queen-sized bed, and there is ample closet and drawer space. Generally, there is very little space around the bed, though, and the showers could have been better designed (bathrooms are mostly really small, too).
The largest accommodation is the Royal Suite, which is beautifully designed and nicely decorated, and even has a baby grand piano.
Dining. The 1,050-seat Main Restaurant has dramatic two-deck-high glass side walls. Part of the upper level is an Italian restaurant, Gallery 47o, for carbohydrate-rich cuisine.
Other eateries include an extra–cost, reservations–required, à la carte restaurant (part of the Sky Lounge – with great views high atop the ship).
A large Islands self-serve eatery – like a food court – has good ocean views on three sides. However, there are mainly large tables, so table sharing is part of the experience, and the food selection is adequate, nothing more.
Entertainment. The Broadway Show Lounge seats 802 and is a single-level showlounge with tiered seating levels and good sight lines from almost all seats. Strong cabaret acts are also presented here. A second entertainment lounge, the Lounge, is where cabaret acts, including late-night adult comedy are presented.
Entertainment throughout the ship is upbeat – in fact, it is difficult to get away from music and noise. There is even background music in all corridors and elevators, and constant music outdoors on the pool deck. If you want a quiet relaxing holiday, choose another ship.
Spa/Fitness. Oceans Spa and Fitness Center has a small workout room, aft of the funnel, with a small selection of muscle-pumping equipment. There is also an aerobics studio, a beauty salon, and saunas for men and women, plus rooms for body-pampering treatments. While the facilities are quite small compared with those aboard the company’s newer ships, they are adequate for short cruises.
An outdoor rock-climbing wall, with several separate climbing tracks, is located aft of the funnel.