Fincantieri and TUI Cruises (a joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean Cruises) have signed a contract for the design and construction of two new large cruise ships.
This order replaced the memorandum of agreement (MoA) signed in March, 2025 with TUI to build two cruise ships for the German tour company’s UK Marella Cruises brand.
They will be delivered in calendar years 2031 and 2032, respectively and will be sisterships to ‘Mein Schiff Relax’ and ‘Mein Schiff Flow’- the InTUItion class – and will be powered by dual-fuel engines (LNG and MGO).
With a gross tonnage of around 160,000, the vessels will be larger than the ships originally planned for Marella Cruises and will be built according to the latest environmental standards.
The contract value, subject to financing and other usual terms and conditions, is higher than that stipulated in the initial MoA, but remains within the threshold communicated last March.
Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri CEO and Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with the TUI Cruises brand, further enhancing our relationship both with TUI and Royal Caribbean.
“This contract reaffirms the trust built over the years and the successful co-operation already achieved with the first two InTUItion class ships.
“It also confirms Fincantieri’s capability to support the fleet growth of the world’s most prominent cruise operators, combining innovation, sustainability, and the Italian shipbuilding excellence,” he said.
