TUI AG, the world’s largest tour operating company, says Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 could be transferred to Thomson Cruises from TUI Cruises, which is due to receive up to four newbuildings.

Thomson Cruises has a small, but significant market share in the UK with access to Thomson’s distribution network, the company officials said in an investor day presentation in London today.

"Fleet modernisation is required to maintain market share:

– Acquisition of Splendour announced for Q2 calendar 2016;
– Opportunity to re-fleet two further ships with MS 1 and 2;
– Intend to move closer to the TUI Cruises model," TUI stated.

Splendour refers to Splendour of the Seas of 69,130 gross tons that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) has sold to TUI Cruises, a 50/50 joint venture with TUI. The Hamburg based company will be in charge of technical management, while Thomson in the UK will commercially operate the 1996 built ship. MS1 and 2 refer to the 1996 built 76,522 gross ton Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 of 77,713 gross tons that was built in 1997, respectively.

Thomson Cruises leases its current fleet, with the leases of the 33,930 gross ton Thomson Spirit that of the 40,876 gross ton Thomson Majesty both due to expire in 2017.

Thomson Celebration, which is of 33,930 gross tons, has three more years of its lease left, while Thomson Dream that is of 53,876 gross tons, has five years, TUI said in the presentation.