TUI confirms its Marella Cruises brand is considering newbuild fleet revamp

Marella Cruises is considering a fleet modernisation programme with an order for two newbuilds, according to a statement from parent company TUI.

At the shareholders Capital Markets Day, the company’s group colleagues said at the end of a financial statement to shareholders that the brand was exploring newbuild options.

“Given an aging Marella Cruises fleet, we are currently exploring future options on positioning our highly profitable UK market leading business, including re-fleeting,” the statement said. “We are in discussions for two vessels with newbuild slots tentatively available from FY31 onwards.”

The expansion, if it goes ahead in 2031 as planned, would mark a major development for Marella Cruises, which has always operated secondhand vessels acquired from larger international lines. 

Marella’s current fleet comprises five mid-sized ships, all built in the mid-1990s. These include Marella Discoveryand Marella Explorer, both launched in 1996; Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Explorer 2, both built in 1995; and the newest addition, Marella Voyager, launched in 1997. 

All five vessels were previously operated by Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises, both subsidiaries of the Royal Caribbean Group.

A move into purpose-built vessels would not only align Marella more closely with industry trends, but could also enhance onboard efficiency, environmental performance, and appeal to a younger demographic.

The proposed expansion would potentially align with wider efforts across the industry to meet more stringent emissions targets and respond to evolving passenger expectations. 

While no design specifications have been disclosed, any newbuilds would likely incorporate modern propulsion systems and energy-efficient technologies consistent with international regulatory frameworks due to take effect in the early 2030s.

TUI did not confirm a timeline for when a final decision would be made, noting only that it remains in exploratory discussions. However, the mention of fiscal year 2031 as a potential delivery window suggests that strategic planning is already under way.

The move comes as cruise operators globally consider renewal strategies to manage aging fleets, respond to sustainability targets, and reinforce market positioning in key regions. For Marella Cruises, a transition to newbuilds could mark the beginning of a new chapter in its UK-focused offering.