On February 7th, TUI Cruises took delivery of the first of 2 new LNG dual-fuel cruise ships, marking a significant milestone in the 16-year collaboration between TUI and Royal Caribbean Group.
The new ship, named Mein Schiff Relax, is TUI's largest vessel so far, with a volume of 161,000 GT-tons and fleet's first to be LNG-ready. Constructed as a dual-fuel ship, it is capable of running on LNG or Marine Gas Oil, with the potential to transition to bio- or e-LNG when these alternatives become available. This delivery also signals TUI’s first collaboration with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, moving away from its long-term partnership with Meyer Turku (Finland).
Fincantieri secured the order for the 2 vessels from TUI in July 2018, with steel cutting for Mein Schiff Relax commencing in June 2022. The ship was floated out from the Monfalcone yard in November 2023 and underwent its initial sea trials in October, focusing on performance and maneuverability. In December, the vessel received its first LNG load and commenced sea trials using LNG propulsion, making it the second LNG-powered cruise ship delivered by Fincantieri. Notably, TUI introduced the first methanol-ready cruise ship, Mein Schiff 7, last year, which was built at Meyer Turku and is anticipated to begin methanol operations once additional components are installed.
The Mein Schiff operation has experienced rapid growth in the robust German cruise market.
TUI Cruises, launched as a competitor to Carnival Corporation’s subsidiary AIDA, started operations with a second-hand vessel acquired from Celebrity and launched in May 2009. TUI's Mein Schiff fleet now comprises 8 vessels.
Mein Schiff Relax has LOA length 1070 ft (326 m), 19 decks, 1945 passenger staterooms, and is designed to accommodate 3984 passengers (max) and 1535 crew/staff.
In addition to its size, the ship offers innovations for enhanced relaxation, including 14 dining venues (with the introduction of a new Asian restaurant), redefined spa and wellness areas, and the brand’s inaugural 2-deck “freedom suites,” along with a range of cabin options suited for solo travelers.
In terms of environmental performance, Mein Schiff Relax is outfitted with new catalytic converters compliant with Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine that utilizes residual heat from its diesel generators, and a shore power connection for port operations. The vessel also boasts a highly efficient waste treatment system capable of converting organic waste into recyclable components through a thermal process.
Scheduled to enter service at the beginning of March, the new ship will operate around Spain's Canary Islands during its first year, before transitioning to the German market in mid-2026. TUI has planned an innovative christening ceremony in Malaga (Spain) on April 9th, where Mein Schiff Relax will join the fleetmates Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 7 for a joint celebration featuring a gala dinner, celebrity performance, and shared culinary experiences. Following the rapid growth exemplified by the launch of Mein Schiff 7 in June 2024, the introduction of Mein Schiff Flow is anticipated in Spain in August 2026.