TUI/RCI joint venture in 2009, what about the existing cruise lines they both have

**Ally** · 04-06-2008, 11:19 AM

In 2009 a new joint venture will come about tween RCI and TUI, called TUI Cruises.

Obviously they will be needing ships, and seeing as the newbuild orderbooks are pretty well stuffed til 2012, what do you think will happen to the existing cruise lines & ships that both these giants already have interests in within Europe?

RCI has financial interest in Island Cruises, CDF Croisières de France & Pullmantur.

TUI has Hapag-Lloyd & Thomson Cruises.

We already know that Hapag-Lloyd's venerable old lady 'Maxim Gorkiy' is to be retired in November 2008. But what about the other ships already operating under the various guises?

Most of the ships are old, small (by todays standard) and they don't exactly befit the image of the new line.

So...are we going to lose Island Cruises, Pullmantur, CDF Croisières de France, Hapag-Lloyd & Thomson Cruises under the umbrella branding of TUI Cruises?

Will the older ships be sent to scrap...how many ships will be transferred from the current RCI fleet to the new kid on the block?

What are your thoughts & fears over this joint venture?

**Ally** · 04-06-2008, 11:31 AM

I think (hope) that the individual cruise lines already owned will keep their names but, as with the various airlines in the TUI group, they will all be sporting the same colours...ie blue & white with the TUI logo in red on the funnel.

As for the ships, I think Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and maybe Legend of the Seas will be transferred over to the new line.

The old ships currently chartered will go...that includes many on the Thomson Cruises fleet list. Those not chartered and which are old or proving uneconomical (Sky Wonder comes to mind) will be scrapped or sold to whoever wants them.

So I think all the lines will take the TUI livery & logo (below), the lines will keep their line names and the chartered & older ships will go and Majesty, Monarch & Legend will be transferred over to TUI Cruises.

I hope they don't go for larger newbuilds when the time comes, but chances are they will do.

**middy** · 04-06-2008, 11:40 AM

Well I've travelled with Thomson 6 times so far, certainly happy with the size of the ships and the age is no bother to me. Don't want any bigger thanks.
Though I do believe that in the long run with all the newbuilds the older ships in the RCI fleet will move onto some of these other groups. As it's well known that the larger the ship the cheaper per head for the cruise company to sail.

I still think they will keep the groups all separate as they all have a different ethos.
Is not the new TUI/RCI venture specifically for the german market.?

**Ally** · 04-06-2008, 11:46 AM

TUI Cruises is effectively taking over the German market from Hapag-Lloyd in direct competition to CCL's Aida.

I would not be at all surprised if they don't, at some point, blend all the other lines under one corporate umbrella. Some years ago TUI did the same thing with the airlines...each had their own identity/livery...but now they are all liveries the same, with the same logo on the tail etc.

TUI has never left things as they are for long. Which is why I think the cruise lines will each have their place/name in Europe, but will be in the blue and white paintwork and red logo...as per Thomson ships are already.