TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise shipping company, says its 4,000 sqm Arts & Entertainment centre in Berlin, the company said in a statement.

Located in Treptow, the venue will be used to develop and test new shows and other entertainment programmes for the ships of the company. The TUI Cruises fleet currently comprises four ships and four newbuildings are on order. However, two of the oldest units have been earmarked for transfer to Thomson Cruises in the UK. The company is also part of the TUI AG group.

The centre employs a permanent staff of 29 persons that ranges from composers to choreographers and tailors that make costumes. It is expected that about 1,000 persons per year will audition at the centre, TUI Cruises said.