TUI announces big change in cruise plans
TUI UK has acquired a ship from Royal Caribbean Cruises to add to its Marella Cruises fleet.
Under initial plans, it was due to take Mein Schiff 2 from TUI Group but this will now remain within TUI Cruises in Germany.
Instead, TUI UK & Ireland has bought SkySea Golden Era from Royal Carribean for an undisclosed sum.
It comes after a Chinese joint venture between Royal Caribbean and Ctip came to an end.
Currently sailing in China for SkySea Cruise Line , it will sail under the Marella Cruises banner for the first time as Marella Explorer 2 in May next year following ‘extensive’ renovation.
Marella Explorer 2 will be the first ship in the Marella Cruises fleet to be exclusively for adults.
TUI said the decision to go adults-only was prompted by the popularity of its adult-only sailings from Dubrovnik and the Asia itineraries for winter 2018.
The 1,814 capacity ship will offer 907 cabins, nearly 40% with balconies.
It will be designed for couples, friends and groups with The Veranda being double the size featured on Marella Explorer.
From May 2019 Marella Explorer 2 will sail from a new homeport of Naples, Italy, and will sail to European cities including Venice, Rome and Dubrovnik.
It will have many of the dining and bar options of sister ship Marella Explorer launching in May this year.
It will also feature a luxurious Champneys Spa which will launch first on Marella Explorer.
New cabin types on Marella Explorer 2 include the Royal Suite which measures 102m2 featuring a separate bedroom, dressing room, dining area and whirlpool bath.
Marella Cruises will be offering all-inclusive cruises for everyone from May next year, including transfers and tips.
Marella Dream and Marella Celebration will join the rest of the fleet in becoming all inclusive as standard.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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