EU Commission antitrust authorities have cleared the way for the creation of TUI Cruises – a premium brand aimed at the German market. Both Royal Caribbean Cruises and TUI AG will have 50 percent ownership in the new company, which will have its headquarters in Hamburg.
The new line is expected to be officially founded at the end of March, with the first TUI Cruises ship setting sail in May 2009 (to be transferred from a Royal Caribbean brand).
Two TUI newbuilds are planned for 2011 and 2012, but neither Royal Caribbean nor TUI has released information about the ships or where they might be built.
