Celebrity Mercury Added to TUI Fleet

Celebrity Mercury is going to be the second ship in the fleet of TUI Cruises, a cruise brand established in 2008 through a partnership between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and TUI AG.

"Celebrity Mercury has been a cherished member of the Celebrity family since she entered service in 1997, and has offered countless guests outstanding vacation experiences," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "We are dedicated to offering the same impeccable service our brand is known for right up until the ship transitions to TUI Cruises, and we are confident that the ship's future with TUI Cruises is very bright."

"With the rapid growth and momentum of the Celebrity brand, and the fourth member of our five-ship Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette, launching in July 2011, we have abundant opportunities for the fine crew on Celebrity Mercury to transfer to another Celebrity ship."

Celebrity Mercury joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in November 1997, and was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany -- builder of Celebrity's new Solstice Class fleet. Celebrity Mercury will enter service with TUI Cruises in May 2011, as Mein Schiff 2 and will spend her first cruising season in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Full itinerary details will be published when bookings open in June.