Cruise operations of TUI AG, the German company that is the world’s largest tour operator, narrowed to €43 million in the 12 months to 30 September from €125 million in the previous financial year.
“The improvement of €82 million year-on-year reflects the fuller return of all three cruise brands, with both TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises resuming original itineraries to the Mediterranean in the final quarter and Marella resuming its operation in Q4, after a near fifteen-month hiatus, offering itineraries around the British Isles and to the Mediterranean,” the company said in a statement.
Occupancy rates ranged between 39% and 53% in the final quarter of the company’s financial year across its cruise brands, with an element of capped occupancy requirements still in place by some destinations, and shorter lead time to market itineraries, particularly in the UK, limiting the opportunity.
Fourteen ships out of 16 total fleet were in operation as of 30 September 2021, including the new expedition class Hanseatic spirit which joined Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in August.
In the winter, TUI Cruises will be operating five out of its seven Mein Schiff fleet, while Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operating its full fleet of five ships. Winter destinations for the Mein Schiff fleet include the Caribbean, the Canaries and the Emirates.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be resuming its original around-the-world cruise itinerary over the winter, as well as operating in the Emirates and Northern Europe, with two of its three expedition ships returning also to Antarctica.
Marella Cruises is currently operating three out of its four ship fleet for its winter programme. Mrella Explorer is sailing in the Canaries, Marella Explorer 2 in the Western Mediterranean and Marella Discovery in the Caribbean, with Barbados itinerary in particular well sold.
"The current short-term booking pattern we see for Markets & Airlines is also evident for UK Cruise, with stronger late demand for short and medium-haul itineraries. Marella Discovery 2 is expected to re-join the fleet from March, sailing out of Palma. Summer 22 bookings remain well-positioned with strong retention levels," the company said
