Question 1

What sustainability goals has TUI Cruises set for itself? Is there a sustainability strategy or an annual sustainability report?

Accepted Answer

Our sustainability goals are defined in our Sustainability Strategy 2030. The strategy is based on three areas of action: Planet, People, and Progress. We publish information regarding our goals, measures, and progress in our annual sustainability report on our corporate website.  Planet – Environment & Climate  Our goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our cruise operations. To this end, we are working on—among other things—the use of various fuels and energy sources with a lower fossil-fuel content, increasing the energy efficiency of our ships, and implementing measures for waste prevention and resource management. Furthermore, we support initiatives aimed at protecting marine ecosystems.  People – Social Responsibility  When shaping our business activities, we take into account the impact on the destinations we visit and on our supply chains. This includes working on offering shore excursions that meet independently certified social and environmental criteria, incorporating sustainability requirements into procurement processes, and committing to fair working conditions. We also promote diversity, equal opportunity, and the personal development of both our guests and employees.  Progress – Sustainable Transformation  We continuously develop our offerings and processes and employ digital solutions to help increase efficiency. Sustainability aspects are integrated into relevant areas of the business and decision-making processes (including investment planning, product design, and newbuild or refurbishment projects).

Question 2

What measures does TUI Cruises take to reduce CO₂ emissions from cruise operations?

Accepted Answer

In collaboration with the TUI Group, the cruise lines TUI Cruises and Marella Cruises have set a target to reduce their absolute CO₂ emissions. This target aims to cut absolute CO₂ emissions by 27.5% by 2030, compared to the 2019 baseline year. The target was validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in January 2023.  Various measures are being pursued to achieve this goal:  A roadmap comprising short-, medium-, and long-term measures has been developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Investments are being made in operational and technical efficiency measures. These include, among other things, route optimization, the use of specialized underwater hull coatings, the further development of propeller systems, and digital solutions to support efficient ship operations.  In ports where the necessary infrastructure is available, shore power is used to supply energy to the ships while they are docked.  Furthermore, the use of various fuels and energy sources is being evaluated or expanded. These include, for example, methanol derived from renewable feedstocks and certified bio-LNG from organic waste resources.

Question 3

How does TUI Cruises reduce air pollutant emissions from the Mein Schiff® fleet?

Accepted Answer

Various technical systems are used on the ships of the Mein Schiff® fleet to reduce air pollutant emissions. These include hybrid scrubbers on ships Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 6, as well as catalytic converters across the entire fleet.  These systems serve to reduce emissions of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. The use of exhaust gas cleaning systems limits the sulfur content in the exhaust gas to a maximum of 0.1%.  In addition, all ships in the fleet are equipped with catalytic converters, enabling them to meet nitrogen oxide emission requirements in coastal and port areas.

Question 4

Which technologies and propulsion concepts are used on the new Mein Schiff® vessels?

Accepted Answer

The Mein Schiff 7 features a dual-fuel propulsion system and is technically prepared for the future use of methanol as an alternative fuel. In August 2026, the first test bunkering of methanol derived from renewable raw materials took place for boiler operation.  The InTUItion-class ships are equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system that allows for operation using either marine diesel or liquefied natural gas (LNG). During the 2026 summer season, both ships will exclusively use certified bio-LNG derived from organic waste materials.  All three newbuilds are equipped with shore power connections and catalytic converters for nitrogen oxide reduction. The use of heavy fuel oil has been eliminated for these new vessels.

Question 5

What is the status of the Mein Schiff® fleet regarding the use of shore power?

Accepted Answer

Our entire Mein Schiff® fleet is equipped for shore power. In ports with the necessary infrastructure, the ships can connect to the local power grid while docked, eliminating the need to run onboard engines during that time.  Shore power connections help reduce emissions while the ship is berthed. The Mein Schiff® fleet uses shore power in numerous European ports, including Hamburg, Kiel, Rostock-Warnemünde, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Bergen, Stockholm, and Oslo.  The source of the electricity provided depends on the specific port and energy supplier.

Question 6

Is waste separated on board, and how is it disposed of?

Accepted Answer

On board our ships, we employ a waste management strategy based on the principles of "avoid, reduce, and recycle." The waste generated is sorted into more than 42 categories. A portion of the sorted waste is handed over to appropriate onshore facilities for recycling. Our environmental officers monitor and document the disposal processes.

Question 7

What measures is Mein Schiff® taking to reduce plastic and single-use packaging?

Accepted Answer

Since 2018, we have implemented a plastic reduction program on board Mein Schiff® with the aim of continuously reducing unnecessary plastic and single-use products.  To this end, single-use and other plastic items are being replaced by alternatives (such as reusable solutions) or eliminated entirely. Examples include the use of glass straws instead of plastic, the elimination of single-use packaging, and the introduction of resource-efficient materials in the galley and cabins.

Question 8

How is water conserved on board, and what happens to the wastewater?

Accepted Answer

We implement various measures to reduce water consumption. These include, among other things, optimized towel and linen replacement schedules, the use of condensate in the laundry facilities, and guidance for guests on conserving water.  Wastewater generated on board—from cabins, galleys, and laundry facilities—is collected and treated in onboard treatment plants, a process that includes UV disinfection.  In accordance with applicable regulations, the treated water is either discharged in port or released into the sea outside of designated coastal and harbor areas.

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Sustainability and Environmental Protection at TUI Cruises

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Sustainability and Environmental Protection at TUI Cruises