TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel has revealed that Marella Cruises, the company’s UK-focused cruise line, is in discussions with shipyards for two new-build vessels. However, European shipyards are fully booked until 2031.
Speaking at TUI’s Capital Markets Day 2025, Ebel highlighted the strong performance of Marella, stating it is ‘doing extremely well’. Despite this success, the age of the fleet is a concern. “There is one thing that keeps us awake, that is is the age of the fleet because there are only three shipyards in Europe, and they are fully booked out for the next five to 10 years, closer to 10 years,” he explained.
Marella currently operates five ships, each accommodating fewer than 2,000 passengers, and is a key part of TUI’s UK market strategy. Ebel emphasised Marella’s unique appeal, describing it as a ‘British, British, British’ product.
“We are in discussions with shipyards, and we are currently considering ordering two vessels based on a design customised for the UK market,” Ebel confirmed. However, the long lead times present a hurdle. “New-build slots are tentatively available from FY31 onwards. We may secure a slot for two new ships, which would be a great step forward if we do it alone or if we do it as a joint venture, which is also something we are in discussion about.”
Ebel was cautious about the certainty of the deal. “It may or may not happen, it is not a done deal but we are confident it is good to talk about it,” he said.
In addition to the shipbuilding discussions, TUI is also exploring ‘partnership options’ for Marella. The CEO’s comments came during a presentation outlining TUI’s broader strategy to evolve from a tour operator into a ‘global curated leisure marketplace’, with significant growth anticipated from markets outside Europe, though the UK remains an integral part of the company’s operations.