5 Shocking Ways TUI Cruise Is Dominating The Ocean In 2025 (Record Profits & New Ships)

Contents

The TUI Cruise division is currently charting a course toward unprecedented success, delivering record-breaking results and unveiling ambitious plans that will redefine the cruise experience for years to come. As of late 2025, the TUI Group’s cruise segment—which includes TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises—has not only recovered but has significantly outperformed previous expectations, solidifying its position as a global leader in the holiday market. This success is underpinned by a massive capacity increase and a strategic focus on future-proof, sustainable fleet expansion.

This deep dive explores the five most critical, up-to-the-minute developments that are making TUI Cruise a dominant force in the industry, from the staggering financial figures to the revolutionary new ships and itineraries you can book right now. If you're planning a cruise vacation or tracking the industry's big players, the latest news from TUI is essential reading, demonstrating a commitment to luxury, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

1. The Cruise Division's Record-Shattering Financial Performance in 2025

The financial year 2025 marked a historic high for the TUI Group's cruise operations, demonstrating a massive rebound and strategic efficiency that has stunned industry analysts. The overall TUI Group reported strong full-year results, with revenue climbing significantly.

Adjusted EBIT Soars Past Expectations

The cruise division, a collective of three distinct brands—TUI Cruises (the joint venture with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.), Marella Cruises, and the luxury-focused Hapag-Lloyd Cruises—delivered record results. The adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) for the cruise companies rose by a staggering €108 million, reaching a total of €482 million. This phenomenal performance highlights the success of TUI's strategy to increase capacity and maximize the utilization of its modern fleet.

  • Key Brands: TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
  • Financial Milestone: Adjusted EBIT hit €482 million in 2025.
  • Underlying Growth: The TUI Group noted that its cruise division saw underlying EBIT increase to €481.1 million, reflecting robust demand.

This financial strength provides the necessary capital and confidence for the TUI Group to invest heavily in its future, particularly in the next generation of eco-friendly cruise ships, ensuring the brand remains competitive and forward-thinking.

2. Massive Future Fleet Expansion: Two New LNG-Powered Ships Ordered

Looking far beyond the current decade, TUI Cruises is making an enormous commitment to sustainable growth by ordering two state-of-the-art, LNG-powered cruise ships. This strategic move cements their dedication to reducing the environmental footprint of their operations.

The Next Generation of Mein Schiff

In a significant contract signed in September 2025, TUI Cruises and Fincantieri finalized the design and construction of two new vessels. These newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in 2031 and 2032, replacing an earlier Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) from March 2025. This long-term planning ensures TUI's fleet remains among the youngest and most efficient in the world.

  • Shipbuilder: Fincantieri, a global leader in shipbuilding.
  • Fuel Type: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a cleaner-burning fuel, aligning with sustainability targets.
  • Delivery Dates: The new vessels are expected to join the fleet in 2031 and 2032.
  • Sister Ships: The new liners will be sister ships to the already massive *Mein Schiff Relax* and *Mein Schiff Flow*, indicating a new, larger class of vessel for the TUI Cruises brand.

The introduction of LNG-powered ships is a massive undertaking, reflecting TUI's proactive approach to meeting future environmental regulations and passenger expectations for greener travel options.

3. A Deep Dive into TUI's Radical 2025/2026 Itinerary Updates

TUI's commitment to innovation extends directly to its offerings, with both Marella Cruises and TUI River Cruises announcing exciting new destinations and shorter, more flexible itineraries for the winter 2025 season and beyond. This expansion answers the growing demand for diverse and time-efficient cruise holidays.

Marella's New Island Explorer and Ports

Marella Cruises is enhancing its winter sun offerings with new ports and a fresh itinerary. The *Marella Explorer 2* will be sailing a new 'Island Explorer' itinerary starting from November 28, 2025. This route will embark from the popular Canary Islands ports of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, notably featuring an overnight stay in port—a huge plus for travelers who want to fully experience a destination's nightlife and culture.

TUI River Cruises Expands on the Danube

For those preferring the intimate experience of river cruising, TUI River Cruises is launching new sailings down the majestic Danube River for the winter 2025 season. Furthermore, they are introducing new four-night shorter sailings, catering to guests looking for a quick, luxurious European getaway without committing to a full week. This flexibility is a key trend in modern travel.

The overall Marella Cruises destination list for 2025/2026 remains robust, covering sought-after regions like the Canary Islands and Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Western Mediterranean, offering a comprehensive choice for every traveler.

4. The Ambitious 2030 Sustainability Roadmap

Beyond the new ships, the TUI Group has made its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments a cornerstone of its long-term strategy. The cruise division is a major part of the company's bold sustainability roadmap, which has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The 27.5% CO2 Reduction Target

TUI has set a clear, quantifiable goal: to reduce CO2 emissions across its cruise brands' fleets by 27.5% by 2030, using 2019 levels as the benchmark. This is a massive undertaking that involves a multi-faceted approach:

  • Technological Focus: Investing in new technologies and alternative fuels, such as LNG, to improve energy efficiency.
  • Well-to-Wake Emissions: TUI Group's commitment includes measuring and reducing 'well-to-wake' emissions for its cruise activities, which accounts for the entire lifecycle of the fuel.
  • Philanthropy: TUI Cruises also maintains a strong social commitment, having donated over €225,500 to various charitable organizations and projects in 2024.

This commitment to reducing environmental impact is not just a regulatory necessity but a core competitive advantage, attracting a growing segment of environmentally conscious travelers.

5. The Arrival of the *Mein Schiff Relax* and Fleet Modernization

While the 2031/2032 newbuilds are on the horizon, the TUI Cruises fleet has already received a major upgrade with the delivery of the *Mein Schiff Relax*. This new vessel, delivered in April 2025, represents the immediate future of the brand's offerings. As a large, modern ship (157,651 gross tons), it sets the new standard for the TUI Cruises experience, featuring enhanced amenities, greater capacity, and improved efficiency.

The continuous modernization of the fleet, which includes the *Mein Schiff* series and the Marella and Hapag-Lloyd vessels, ensures that TUI maintains a high standard of service and luxury. The strategic transfer of newbuild orders away from older plans to focus on larger, more efficient vessels like the *Mein Schiff Relax* sister ships demonstrates a clear, unified vision for the entire TUI Group Cruise division.

In conclusion, TUI Cruise is not just sailing; it is surging. With record financial results, a clear roadmap for a sustainable, LNG-powered future fleet, and exciting new itineraries in key markets like the Danube and the Canary Islands, the TUI Group is positioning its cruise brands for long-term dominance. The next decade promises a revolution in cruising, and TUI is leading the charge.

5 Shocking Ways TUI Cruise is Dominating the Ocean in 2025 (Record Profits & New Ships)
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