TUI AG, the German tour operator that has a stake in 16 cruise liners, has reported a strong recovery in its cruise activities for the final quarter of its financial year that ended 30 September.

“The cruises segment reported a fourth underlying EBIT of €103 million (4QFY21 €43 million loss). The improvement of €146m year-on-year is supported by the fleet returning to full operations for all three cruise brands,” the company said in a statement. 

TUI Cruises, which entails Mein Schiff and Hapag- Lloyd and in which TUI has a 50% stake, achieved the second positive quarter on an EAT basis of €66m. Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offered itineraries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and around the world with a fleet of 12 ships. Marella Cruises, which TUI owns in full and which operates four ships on the UK market, operated itineraries across the Mediterranean.

Available passenger cruise days of 2.4 million were up 30% year-on-year. Occupancies continued their recovery during the year ranging in fourth quarter between 80% and 93% across the three cruise brands compared to 39% to 53% in the same period last year with rates improving significantly year-on-year, the company said.