Operating losses from the cruise operations of TUI AG, the German tour operator, narrowed slightly in the six months to 31 March compared to the previous year, the company said in a statement
The company reported an underlying EBIT loss of €153 million for the first half of its financial year for its cruisoperations, which was slightly less than the €180 million loss in the same period in the prior financial year.
The fresh figure reflects the limited capacity operated over the period as a result of travel restrictions. “Prior year includes 100% result of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which is now consolidated at equity within the TUI Cruises Joint Venture,” TUI AG said in a statement.
In the first quarter, TUI Cruises operated three ships (Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 6), offering short ‘Blue Cruises’ around the Baltic Sea, Greek and Canary Islands. In the second quarter, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 operated in the Canaries.
Average daily rate of the operated fleet was €104 in the review period, down 26% versus prior year, reflecting the shorter average duration and more local routes of Blue Cruises. Occupancy of the operated fleet was 35%, a reflection of the overall more subdued environment for departures as a result of travel restrictions as well as adherence to Covid-19 government safety advice capping the numbers of passengers on board.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operated two ships during the first quarter, the Europa 2 and Hanseatic Inspiration, which offered sailings to the Baltic Sea and the Canaries.
Europa 2 continued to sail in the second quarter, offering itineraries to the Canary Islands. Average daily rate for the operated fleet was €411, down 33% versus prior year. This reflected the pricing of shorter and more local itineraries. Occupancy of the operated fleet was 33% compared to 77% year on.
Operations of Marella Cruises, the UK focused line that TUI AG owns in full, remained suspended throughout the period, in line with UK government travel advice, with our teams in preparation mode for restart towards the end of third quarter.
“We anticipate TUI Cruises to operate a phased restart with summer itineraries from May, with its full Mein Schiff fleet of seven ships to be in operation by Q4. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is currently sailing with Europa 2, with Europa to resume in Q4,” TUI AG said.
Expedition Class Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration would resume service at the end of May with short cruises, with Hanseatic Spirit scheduled to join the company from shipbuilders from August.
Marella Cruises is offering UK cruise itineraries with Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 from end of June. From August, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 are scheduled to operate cruises to the Mediterranean.
