TUI’s cruise division delivered its best-ever first quarter results for 2026, with underlying EBIT soaring 70.8% to €82.3 million compared to €48.2 million in the same period last year, driven by exceptional demand and strategic fleet expansion.

The performance was fueled by the addition of Mein Schiff Relax to the winter program, which increased available passenger cruise days by 15.9% to nearly 3 million.

Despite the capacity increase, the brand saw occupancy rates of 98%, up 3 percentage points year-over-year.

Revenue for the segment rose 6.2% to €186.8 million, with the German-language TUI Cruises joint venture contributing earnings after tax of €62.7 million. The joint venture’s 13-ship fleet, comprising nine Mein Schiff vessels and four Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ships, achieved 98% occupancy while maintaining average daily rates of €206.

TUI’s UK cruise brand Marella Cruises also posted strong results, reaching 100% occupancy across its five-ship fleet, up 2 percentage points from last year. Average daily rates climbed 4.8% to £197, reflecting pricing power in the UK market.

Looking ahead, the cruise division’s momentum continues into the second half of fiscal 2026. Available passenger cruise days are expected to grow 9% in Q2 and 6% for the full second half, thanks to the summer 2026 launch of Mein Schiff Flow, which will add approximately 4,000 berths to the fleet..