TL;DR
- TUI’s €2 billion+ newbuild order for Marella Cruises has been transferred to TUI Cruises, its Royal Caribbean joint venture
- The two ships, originally due for Marella in 2031 and 2032, now go to the European partnership instead
- Marella continues with its current two-ship fleet, all second-hand vessels dating back to the Thomson era
- Summer 2026 programmes remain strong: adult-only sailings from Cyprus, 130 celebration itineraries, and expanded Cruise & Stay options
What’s Happened
Back in March 2025, TUI announced something big for Marella Cruises: a first-ever newbuild order. Two new ships from Fincantieri, worth over €2 billion, meant to replace the fleet that’s been built from second-hand vessels since the Thomson days.
Then in September, TUI quietly rewrote the contract. Those two ships now go to TUI Cruises, the joint venture TUI runs with Royal Caribbean Group, focused on German and European markets. Delivery dates stay the same (2031 and 2032), but the UK’s Marella brand won’t see them.
Marella has always operated hand-me-down ships, including vessels from the 1970s Thomson era. The current fleet stands at two ships, and for now, that’s staying put.
The Practical Bit
For current bookings, nothing’s changing. Marella’s 2026 programme is already loaded and ready.
The Marella Discovery goes adult-only for summer sailings from Limassol, Cyprus, with itineraries covering Greece and Turkey from £1,528 per person. There’s also a solar eclipse sailing on Marella Discovery 2 for the astronomy fans.
The Cruise & Stay programme got bigger too: 18 new hotels across Cyprus, Croatia, Corfu, and Spain for pre- and post-cruise stays, bringing the total to 112 properties.
Around three-quarters of Marella customers specifically value the adult-only option, and the all-inclusive model remains one of the brand’s strongest draws. Summer 2026 is already open for bookings.
What’s Ahead
TUI hasn’t shared much about Marella’s longer-term fleet plans, only that they’re exploring UK options outside the Royal Caribbean partnership. That could mean more second-hand acquisitions, charter arrangements, or something else entirely.
For now, the ships your clients know are still sailing, and the 2026 programme is packed. These are often couples who return year after year because Marella delivers exactly what they’re looking for.
