Marella Slots in UK Taken by TUI Cruises at Fincantieri for New Eco-Friendly Ships, Enhancing Sustainable Tourism

Published on September 29, 2025

TUI Cruises is advancing its fleet strategy by officially taking over the contract slots initially reserved for Marella Cruises for two newbuild cruise ships at the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. These two state-of-the-art vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2031 and 2032, represent a significant enhancement in capacity and environmental standards, marking a milestone in maritime tourism focused on sustainability and guest experience within the UK and European markets.

Fleet Realignment and Newbuild Details

Replacing the March 2025 Memorandum of Agreement originally signed by TUI AG for Marella Cruises, this new contract transfers the newbuild slots to the joint venture of TUI Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises. The ships will be sister vessels to the existing Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow as part of the innovative InTUItion class. Each ship will have a gross tonnage of approximately one hundred sixty thousand tons, notably larger than previously planned vessels for Marella Cruises, and will utilize dual-fuel engines running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine gas oil (MGO). This dual-fuel technology supports the latest environmental norms, underlining the companies’ commitment to sustainability and reduced emissions in the cruise industry.

Enhanced Environmental Features and Industry Significance

The new vessels will embody advanced environmental technologies, including efficient waste heat recovery systems and catalytic converters, thereby setting benchmarks for ecological responsibility among new cruise ships. This aligns with growing global mandates to meet strict emissions standards and passenger demand for greener travel options. With design inspirations drawn from the highly regarded InTUItion class, the ships will provide spacious, elegant accommodations and amenities that cater to modern eco-conscious travelers.

Tourism Impact on the UK and Europe

This strategic shift underscores TUI Cruises’ intent to fortify its position in the European cruise market, especially for the German-speaking demographic served by the Mein Schiff brand. Meanwhile, Marella Cruises will continue operating its existing fleet without immediate new additions, focusing on refurbishing and maintaining its current ships.

In the broader tourism context, the introduction of these next-generation vessels enhances the attractiveness of cruise holidays as a sustainable form of travel, likely invigorating bookings and visitor influx to UK and European ports. The UK cruise market is significant, with millions of cruise passengers contributing billions annually to the economy through local spending on port services, excursions, and hospitality. The fleet upgrade will foster more eco-friendly and premium cruise options, appealing especially to environmentally aware tourists and multigenerational holidaymakers, a growing segment within UK cruise demographics.

Continuing Collaboration and Market Expansion

The partnership between Fincantieri, TUI Cruises, and Royal Caribbean highlights the strength of this triad in delivering innovation and expansion for leading cruise operators. The contract upholds prior financial terms while adapting to new market needs, showcasing flexible and strategic realignment of cruise assets to optimize returns and market share.

Marella Cruises’ focus will remain on cultivating synergy with TUI’s UK tour operations and airline services, ensuring continuity despite the shelving of immediate newbuild plans. This balanced approach helps stabilize operations while the broader cruise industry navigates environmental, economic, and consumer trends evolving into the 2030s.

This fleet development by TUI Cruises via the Marella newbuild slots signals a forward-looking investment in sustainability and passenger experience, promising to uplift the cruise tourism landscape in the UK and Europe over the next decade. It aligns with industry efforts to reduce environmental impacts while responding to a dynamic travel market seeking greener, high-quality cruise vacations.

Image Credit: TUI Group