Thomson Dream visits Southampton 8/12/2010

Ex Costa Europa "Thomson Dream" visits Southampton today for the first time under her new name seen here in berth 101 before she departed for the Caribbean for a host of cruises. In July 2009, Carnival Corporation chartered the ship to Thomson Cruises for ten years, effective from April 2010. The agreement provides an option for Thomson to buy the ship after five years. The ship was built in 1986 by Meyer Werf in Germany for Home Lines. Costing $150m, it was named MS Homeric. The ship was sold to Holland America Line in 1988 and was renamed as MS Westerdam. The ship was renovated in 1989. it joined Coast's fleet as the Costa Europa in 2002. One thing I did not notice until I played back my video is that flying overhead of Thomson Dream is a murmuration of I think starlings which is quite a site to see.