The previously announced fleet expansion plans of TUI cruises are being turned into action with two more newbuilds now on order.
The Mein Schiff fleet shall grow from current three to six ships and then 14,000 beds by 2017.
The Mein Schiff 4 is currently being built and with the now decided new orders of Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises are investing in touristic growth markets.
Friedrich Joussen, CEO of TUI AG : “In Germany and in Europe the interest in cruises is increasing. The Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises has set a new premium standard in the market and it won new target groups for cruise holidays. The ships are excellently booked to capacity and the company is growing.
TUI Cruises and its vessels are a pivotal pillar for our differentiation and growth strategy. Cruises meet the trend and are being discovered by new customer segments.”
Only recently, in June 2014, the Mein Schiff 3 as the first newbuild of the fleet was commissioned by TUI Cruises.
The latest two orders are expected for delivery as soon as 2016 and 2017.
The new cruise liners will be sister ships of the previous newbuilds Mein Schiff 3 and Mein Schiff 4: 295 metres long spanning 15 decks with 1,250 cabins.
The majority of the “well-being” ship’s cabins, 90 per cent, will be outside cabins with 82 per cent having balconies.
The 97,000 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) newbuilds will carry approximately 2,500 guests based on double occupancy.
Both new ships will be built at STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, the majority of which will be in hands of MEYER WERFT GmbH.
Richard J. Vogel, CEO TUI Cruises, said: ”This step ensures that TUI Cruises keeps the valuable know-how of the shipyard. It is the foundation to successfully enlarge the unique cruise products of the Mein Schiff fleet.”
[mappress] Press Release, August 4, 2014