A major Italian shipbuilding firm is set to build two new vessels for TUI's cruise line, Marella Cruises, designed especially for the British market. Travel company TUI has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Fincantieri for the design and construction of the two new-build ships, to be delivered in 2030 and 2032.

Marella's existing fleet is made up of refurbished vessels so it will mark the first new ship for the line, which boasts huge cruiseliners including Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager. Fincantieri said the ship will focus on “environmental sustainability, elegant design, high-quality materials, and spacious accommodation". The company's chief executive and general manager, Pierroberto Folgiero, said: "We are proud to welcome Marella Cruises as a new customer and to support its vision as it enters the newbuild segment.

“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."

He added: “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.”

Ficantieri indicated in a statement on its website the value of the order for the two ships will be more than €2billion (over £1.6billion).

The new vessels will replace some of Marella's older fleet, as per Cruise Critic.

Marella Cruises said said in a statement: “Following Sunday’s approval by TUI’s Supervisory Board and today’s confirmation of the slot availability by the shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A, the first ship delivery is expected in financial year 2031, with the second ship expected to follow in financial year 2033."

In a post on X, Fincantieri said the new relationship between the two firms, "which renews the already strong partnership with TUI AG, reaffirms once again our unique expertise in building increasingly cutting-edge units designed to effectively respond to future challenges, through innovation and sustainability".