TUI Discovery 2

Does the hotly anticipated ship from Thomson Cruises deliver? Cruise International Contributing Editor Sara Macefield gives her verdict

- Sara Macefield

I’m standing amid the gloom of a shadowy stone-walled chamber and ahead of me is a cauldron bubbling with a dark glutinous liquid. A voice in my ear instructs me to throw in a coloured ball from the nearby table. As I do, splashes and sparks fly out; magic is in the air. Every object I touch transforms into an orange butterfly and in seconds I’m surrounded by a kaleidoscope of these delicately fluttering creatures.

Enthused, I grasp another ball and toss it into the cauldron. This time, everything I pick up becomes weightless so I throw some candlesticks at an armoured knight watching me menacingly from a doorway; laughing as they crash into him and he furiously lobs them back.

It’s hilarious and fabulous fun, but it’s only when I crash into the wall while enthusiastically flailing around that I’m catapulted back to reality with a surprising jolt; and hastily wrench off the headset to get my bearings.

I’m actually on board Thomson Cruises’ newest ship TUI Discovery 2 and sampling its newest headline draw, the Virtual Reality Experience, housed in a small studio deep down on deck 3. This replaces the Break Out & Escape Room on sister ship TUI Discovery, which joined the Thomson fleet last year and, if my experience is anything to go by, it looks certain to be a sure-fire hit.

The attraction is still in experimental stage, but the initial programmes promise to transport users into virtual worlds where they battle with space pirates, climb mountains or swim with shoals of fish under the waves.

Thomson Cruises eventually hopes to load its shore excursions on to the system so passengers can enjoy the virtual experience as a try-before-you-buy option. Unlike the Escape room, which has a £10pp charge, this attraction is free – a key factor guaranteed to have enthusiasts queuing up for the 45-minute sessions.