Marella Cruises will face a significantly longer wait for new tonnage after two shipbuilding slots originally allocated to the brand were reassigned to sister company TUI Cruises, TUI AG confirmed on September 29, 2025.
The slots, scheduled for deliveries in 2031 and 2033, were first announced in March when TUI AG revealed plans for two newbuilds for Marella following an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
TUI AG has now confirmed that the slots will instead be used by German brand TUI Cruises, citing the need for larger vessels that better align with its fleet strategy and operational requirements.
In a statement, the group said the Fincantieri slots announced on March 31, 2025, had been released by Marella and subsequently reassigned to TUI Cruises, which has entered into new shipbuilding contracts for larger ships. Marella’s down payment to the shipyard will be reimbursed.
The company added that Marella Cruises will continue to operate successfully with its existing fleet, maintaining its close cooperation with TUI’s UK tour operator business and TUI Airline without any changes to current arrangements.
The two Marella ships had been intended as the brand’s first-ever newbuilds and were to be tailored specifically for the British market, with a focus on environmental sustainability, elegant design, high-quality materials, and spacious accommodation, according to an earlier statement from Fincantieri.
The cancelled order, valued at more than €2 billion, would have enabled Marella to begin renewing its fleet of five refurbished vessels—Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager—while TUI Cruises’ new ships are now expected to be delivered by September 30 in 2031 and 2033. Marella has been contacted for comment.
