Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises is a British cruise brand operated by TUI UK, offering packaged cruise holidays in Europe, the Caribbean and selected other destinations.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Marella Cruises is the cruise-line brand operated by TUI UK, part of the wider TUI Group travel business. The brand was formerly known as Thomson Cruises and developed within the British package-holiday market, where cruises were sold alongside flights, hotels and other holiday services. Its principal proposition combines cruise itineraries with the convenience and distribution reach of a large tour operator, with European and Caribbean programs forming the core of its offer. TUI first entered the cruise market in 1973, but ended that initial operation in 1976 after rising fuel costs made the business difficult to sustain. The company returned to cruising in 1995, following the successful expansion of competitor Airtours through its Sun Cruises brand. The revived operation traded as Thomson Cruises and subsequently built a fleet through a mixture of owned, leased and transferred vessels connected with TUI and its cruise-industry partners. A major brand change was announced by TUI Group on 9 October 2017. Thomson Cruises was renamed Marella Cruises in late October of that year, and the existing fleet was progressively moved from Thomson or TUI branding to the Marella name. The new name was described as meaning “shining sea” in Celtic. It was also intended to distinguish the British cruise operation from TUI Cruises, the separate joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean. The rebrand covered the customer-facing identity rather than representing the creation of an entirely new cruise operator. Marella’s fleet strategy has included the addition of ships from related cruise businesses. Island Escape entered the Thomson fleet in 2009 following TUI’s acquisition of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s interest in Island Cruises, although it initially operated under the all-inclusive Island Cruises brand. Other fleet changes involved ships associated with Royal Caribbean, TUI Cruises and the former SkySea Cruise Line. These transfers enabled the brand to refresh or expand capacity without relying solely on new construction. The fleet was also reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent cruise-industry downturn. Marella Celebration was retired in 2020, followed by Marella Dream later that year; both vessels were ultimately scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey, in 2022. The pandemic interrupted normal cruise operations across the sector and forced operators to reconsider capacity, deployment and ship-retirement plans. Marella has historically been a relatively small participant in the global cruise industry; the reference material places its worldwide market share at approximately 1% in 2012. Its competitive strength is less a claim to global scale than its integration with TUI’s British holiday-distribution system. The line sells cruise holidays to a predominantly United Kingdom market and has used European homeports, Caribbean itineraries and selected long-haul deployments, including an announced Asian winter deployment for TUI Discovery in 2018. In 2021, reports indicated that TUI was considering combining Marella Cruises with TUI Cruises, although the two operations had distinct histories, markets and brand identities. Later fleet-planning material described an agreement with Fincantieri in 2025 for two Marella ships targeted for delivery in 2030 and 2032, followed by an announcement that those ships would not be built and that TUI Cruises would instead receive two larger vessels. Marella therefore remains an active TUI cruise brand, but its long-term fleet-development strategy has been subject to change.
History
TUI's relationship with cruising began in 1973, when Thomson entered the cruise market. That first venture was short-lived: rising fuel costs contributed to its termination in 1976. Thomson returned to the sector in 1995, at a time when the British holiday market was showing renewed interest in cruise vacations and competitor Airtours had gained attention through its Sun Cruises operation. The revived cruise business traded as Thomson Cruises and was developed as part of the wider Thomson holiday system. Rather than operating solely as an independent ocean carrier, the line could use the parent group's package-holiday sales channels, travel agencies, flights and destination infrastructure. Its core markets were European and Caribbean cruise holidays sold to British customers, although the fleet and itineraries changed over time. Fleet development was shaped by the wider TUI and Royal Caribbean relationship. MS Island Escape joined the Thomson fleet in April 2009 after TUI acquired Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s share in Island Cruises. The ship initially operated in the Island Cruises brand, an all-inclusive cruise business associated with TUI. In 2015, Royal Caribbean International announced an agreement to sell Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises, with the ship expected to be leased to Thomson Cruises as a replacement for Island Escape. TUI also announced that Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 would eventually transfer from TUI Cruises to Thomson as part of a fleet-modernization program. The most consequential identity change came on 9 October 2017, when TUI Group announced that Thomson Cruises would be renamed Marella Cruises. The change was introduced in late October and involved moving the existing fleet from Thomson or TUI branding to Marella, subject to specific vessel changes. Thomson Spirit became Spirit, while Thomson Majesty was scheduled to transfer to Celestyal Cruises. The name Marella was explained as meaning “shining sea” in Celtic. TUI also used the new name to keep the British cruise brand distinct from TUI Cruises, its separate joint venture with Royal Caribbean. The rebrand coincided with a more international deployment strategy. TUI Discovery was planned to spend the winter season of 2018 in Asia, based out of Malaysia, which was described as the line's first Asian deployment. Other fleet developments followed. In 2018, after SkySea Cruise Line was closed, its sole ship, SkySea Golden Era, was expected to join Marella. It replaced the planned transfer of Mein Schiff 2, which remained with TUI Cruises. The former Mein Schiff 2 later became Mein Schiff Herz and joined the Marella fleet in 2023 as Marella Voyager. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major contraction across the cruise industry. Marella Celebration was retired in April 2020, and Marella Dream followed in October. Both ships were later scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey, in 2022. The retirements reflected the broader pressure on operators to reduce older or less economically attractive capacity while rebuilding schedules after the interruption to cruising. In 2021, reports indicated that TUI was considering merging Marella Cruises with TUI Cruises. The proposal illustrated the strategic overlap and corporate links between the two businesses, although their brands and operating histories were not identical. Fleet planning subsequently pointed toward further renewal: in March 2025, TUI AG reportedly agreed with Fincantieri to build two new Marella ships for delivery in 2030 and 2032. By September 2025, those ships were reported not to be proceeding; instead, TUI Cruises was to receive two larger vessels. Marella remains identified as a TUI UK cruise brand, but its future capacity and relationship with the wider TUI cruise portfolio continue to depend on corporate and fleet decisions.
- 2023
Former Mein Schiff 2 joins as Marella Voyager
[1]The former Mein Schiff 2, later known as Mein Schiff Herz, joined the Marella fleet under the name Marella Voyager.
- 2022
Retired ships scrapped
[1]Marella Celebration and Marella Dream were scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey.
- 2020
Two ships retired during the pandemic
[1]Marella Celebration and Marella Dream were removed from service during the COVID-19 disruption.
- 2018
Planned first Asian winter deployment
[1]TUI Discovery was scheduled to be based in Asia, out of Malaysia, for the winter season.
- 2017
Thomson Cruises becomes Marella Cruises
[1]TUI announced and introduced the Marella Cruises name, repositioning the British cruise operation under a new identity.
- 2009
Island Escape joins the Thomson fleet
[1]Island Escape was added to the Thomson fleet following TUI's acquisition of Royal Caribbean's interest in Island Cruises.
- 1995
Thomson returns to cruising
[1]Thomson restarted its cruise business after the successful development of Sun Cruises by competitor Airtours.
- 1976
Initial cruise venture ends
[1]The first Thomson cruise operation was terminated, with rising fuel costs identified as a contributing factor.
- 1973
Thomson enters the cruise market
[1]Thomson began its first cruise operation.
Products and positioning
A British, tour-operator-backed cruise brand emphasizing convenient package holidays, European and Caribbean itineraries, and integration with TUI UK's travel distribution.
Cruise itineraries
European cruise holidays
Marella's European programs form a central part of its British cruise offering. They provide packaged or package-compatible holidays built around regional port itineraries, with the cruise sold through TUI UK's broader travel distribution system. The available routes and ships have changed as the fleet has been renewed and redeployed.
Cruise itineraries
Caribbean cruise holidays
Caribbean cruises are among Marella's principal long-haul offerings. The product combines shipboard accommodation and port visits with the convenience of a UK tour operator's holiday-booking model. Caribbean capacity is seasonal and depends on vessel deployment and the wider operating schedule.
Cruise ship · 2023
Marella Voyager
Marella Voyager is the Marella name adopted in 2023 by the former Mein Schiff Herz, itself previously known as Mein Schiff 2. Its transfer illustrates the brand's use of ships from the connected TUI Cruises fleet and its ongoing reliance on fleet redeployment as part of capacity management.
Brand decisions
2025
Plan and then cancel two new Marella shipsProduct launchBackground
TUI pursued long-term fleet renewal and capacity planning for its cruise brands.
Action taken
TUI AG reportedly agreed with Fincantieri in March 2025 to build two Marella ships for delivery in 2030 and 2032, but announced in September 2025 that the ships would not be built and that TUI Cruises would instead receive two larger vessels.
Aftermath
The change left Marella's previously described newbuild plan discontinued and shifted the planned larger-ship investment to TUI Cruises.
2021
Consider a combination with TUI CruisesM&ABackground
The cruise sector was preparing to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, while TUI controlled or participated in multiple connected cruise businesses.
Action taken
Reports said TUI was considering merging Marella Cruises with TUI Cruises, its joint venture with Royal Caribbean.
Aftermath
The available reference material does not establish that the reported combination was completed.
2020
Retire Marella Celebration and Marella DreamGeneration changeBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic sharply disrupted cruise schedules and increased pressure to manage fleet capacity.
Action taken
Marella Celebration was retired in April 2020 and Marella Dream was retired in October 2020.
Aftermath
Both ships were later scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey, in 2022.
2018
Deploy a ship to AsiaStrategyBackground
The newly renamed cruise line sought to broaden its seasonal geographic deployment.
Action taken
TUI Discovery was scheduled to be based in Asia, out of Malaysia, during the winter season of 2018.
Aftermath
The deployment was described as the first Asian operation in the line's history.
2017
Rebrand Thomson Cruises as Marella CruisesStrategyBackground
TUI operated both the British Thomson cruise business and the separate TUI Cruises joint venture. A distinct identity was needed for the British operation.
Action taken
TUI announced on 9 October 2017 that Thomson Cruises would become Marella Cruises, with the existing fleet progressively adopting the new name.
Aftermath
The Marella name became the customer-facing identity of TUI UK's cruise brand, while TUI Cruises retained its separate brand.
Sources1 sources
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