by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Mon March 31, 2025
TUI Group and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to design and construct two new cruise ships for the UK-based Marella Cruises brand, expected to debut in 2030 and 2032 for a price of over 2 billion euros.
The two ships will be designed for the English market and offer a premium cruising experience with sustainable innovations. The two ships will be the first newbuilds for Marella Cruises.
"We are proud to welcome Marella Cruises as a new customer and to support its vision as it enters the newbuild segment," said Fincantieri CEO and Managing Director, Pierroberto Folgiero.
"This agreement is a testament to Fincantieri's ability to forge strategic partnerships with an expanding client base, reinforcing our long-term visibility and ensuring a high level of capacity saturation for our shipyards," continued Folgiero. "The project will bring together our expertise in ship design, innovation, and sustainability to deliver vessels that meet the evolving expectations of modern cruise passengers."
Fincantieri is also the shipbuilder of choice for TUI Cruises, the joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean. This February, the shipbuilder delivered the "Mein Schiff Relax" ship to the cruise line, which is dual-fuel powered. The "Mein Schiff Flow," its sister ship, will be delivered in 2026.
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