Tag Archives: UK Passengers

Tui transfers shipbuilding slots from Marella Cruises to sister line in push for more UK passengers

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Tui transfers shipbuilding slots from Marella Cruises to sister line in push for more UK passengers

Tui Cruises is a joint venture between Tui AG and Royal Caribbean Group (Credit: Tui Cruises)

The new-build slots were previously secured earlier this year for Marella Cruises for delivery in 2031 and 2033.

However, Tui AG said this “strategic decision” to move the slots across to Tui Cruises allows the brand to “build on the success of its Tui Cruises joint venture, which has a proven track record across various European markets and possesses the financial capacity for further expansion investments”.

It also stated that the decision was made to strengthen Tui Cruises’ long-term growth platform in Europe and the UK.

Tui Cruises is a joint venture between Tui AG and Royal Caribbean Group.

Marella Cruises’ down payment to Fincantieri will be reimbursed, and it will continue operations with its existing five-ship fleet.

A Tui spokesperson said: “We are pleased to order two further new-build vessels at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. This move strengthens Tui Cruises’ platform for long-term growth and enables us to gradually expand further into other markets, particularly in Northern Europe.

“We look forward to leveraging our solid financial position and proven market expertise to deliver outstanding experiences for our guests.”

The spokesperson added, “As the delivery of the new ships is scheduled for 2031 and 2033, there are currently no further details to share. Over the coming months, we will work on the next steps for this exciting project and will share updates as soon as they are available.”

MSC holds out hope for UK passengers as the second ship sets sail

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A second MSC Cruises ship has resumed service after Covid forced a pause in operations for much of the year.
MSC Magnifica follows MSC Grandiosa, which is on its ninth voyage, as the second ship to implement MSC Cruises’ comprehensive health and safety protocols.
MSC Magnifica departed Genoa on a 10-night Mediterranean cruise with calls at the ports of Livorno for visits to Florence and Pisa, Messina in Sicily, Piraeus for Athens, Katakolon for Olympia, Valletta in Malta, and Civitavecchia for Rome, before returning to Genoa. 
MSC Cruises UK managing director Antonio Paradiso said that the line was ready to welcome back British passengers when government guidance is relaxed.
He said: “MSC Cruises are ready to welcome British and Irish residents when the FCDO guidance changes.
“We are working closely with Clia and the relevant authorities to enable British and Irish guests to be welcome back on board our ships when the time is right.”

MSC sets out plans to triple UK passengers

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MSC Cruises has set out ambitious plans to grow the number of UK passengers it serves.

According to chief executive Giles Hawke, the company reckons it can attract 200,000 Britons per year by 2017 – up from 60,000 today and an almost threefold increase.

Mr Hawke made these comments in an interview with Travel Weekly, mentioning a raft of new marketing initiatives intended to support the campaign.

MSC, which mostly serves the Mediterranean cruise market and recently announced it will add a further four ships to its fleet, also plans to charter three flights per week from Heathrow to ferry Britons into Italian ports.

Two of the planes will fly to Genoa, with the other landing in Venice.

In time, though, MSC wants to reintroduce Mediterranean cruises that actually depart from the UK itself, potentially by launching a Fantasia-class ship in 2016.