TUI Cruises fleet expands to 19 ships as winter programmes take shape
Mein Schiff Flow added 4,000 berths, while the group reported higher capacity and daily rates for the first half of FY27.
TUI Cruises said its fleet reached 19 vessels after three ships were added over the preceding two years. The latest arrival, Mein Schiff Flow, began its maiden voyage in June and contributed 4,000 additional berths.
Available passenger cruise days increased 17% in the first half of FY27. However, booked occupancy for the six-month period was six points below the prior year. The company attributed the gap particularly to revised Mein Schiff Flow itineraries going on sale later following the outbreak of the Iran war.
Average daily rates across TUI Cruises’ German-speaking and UK cruise operations rose 2% in both the fourth quarter and the first half of FY27. The company linked the gains to demand and its differentiated offerings in the two markets.
For winter, Mein Schiff plans to deploy nine ships across the Caribbean, Central America, the Mediterranean, Northern and Western Europe, the Canaries, South Africa, the Indian Ocean and Asia. Hapag-Lloyd’s five-ship programme will span several regions and include a semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica. Marella will operate five vessels in the Mediterranean, the Canaries and the Caribbean.