Mein Schiff 3

The 2014-built TUI Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship is owned by TUI Cruises and built by Meyer Turku Shipyard (Finland). The vessel is TUI's first newbuild, followed by the same-series sisterships Schiff 4 (2015), Schiff 5 (2016), Schiff 6 (2017), Schiff 1 (2018) and Schiff 2 (2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9641730) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 229090000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

TUI Cruises is a UK-based joint venture cruise company (50-50) of TUI Group (British-German travel and tourism corporation) and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd/USA-based passenger shipping company).

TUI started cruise shipping operations in 2009, targeting predominantly the German-speaking market with a premium travel vacation product. German and English are the main onboard languages on all TUI Schiffs (ships). TUI's sister-brands are Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd-Cruises.

The 2500-passenger ship Mein Schiff 3 was built at STX Finland Turku shipyard and delivered to TUI Cruises on 22 May 2014. Another identical vessel (Schiff 4) was completed in 2015. TUI liners from this series use environmentally friendly power plants and energy-efficient solutions in order to cut emissions by 30% compared to other vessels of identical size.

TUI made a significant investment towards the improvement of fuel consumption and to maintain high environmental friendliness standards. A curious moment before the construction of the ships at the STX Finland at the end of 2012 was that the Finnish shipbuilder was in serious financial troubles and if the deal for the construction of the two identical ships was not signed, the company would have declared bankruptcy. In the end, STX Finland was awarded the needed amount of money by the Finnish Government.

TUI Mein Schiff 3 cruise deals are ticket-price inclusive of:

• 24-hour food and snacks on the ship
• over 100 brand beverages and cocktails (excepting premium brand alcohol)
• facilities and entertainment for children and teens
• complimentary access to SPA's sauna area
• complimentary Gym and wellness courses
• onboard entertainment (shows, concerts, theatrical and musical performances)
• gratuities (all onboard tips).

Decks and Cabins

TUI Schiff 3 staterooms (1253 total) include 89 Suites, 957 Balcony (80% of all cabins), 97 Oceanviews and 123 Interior, in total 23 cabin categories. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 6, all located on Deck 3 and each with wider entry and bathroom doors, emergency phone, special handrails and location close to the passenger lifts. Bonus services for all Suite categories include free Internet, Xbox gaming console, complimentary mini-bar, concierge service, priority services, in-room dining, exclusive Suites-only access to ship's X-Lounge and private sundeck.

All Schiff 3 staterooms offer as standard amenities 2 single beds (1 double bed), bedside cabinets (with drawers and reading lamp), sofabed (or 1-2 Pullman beds), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system with on-demand movies, Internet, ship info channel), direct dial phone, wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), minibar, Nespresso coffee machine (2 capsules are included per day), water carafe with glasses, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, bath products - shower gel, shampoo, conditioner), individually controlled air-conditioning, 24-hour room service.

The boat has 15 decks of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Almost all beverages, food and gratuities are included in the cruise price. The food in the large “Anckelmannsplatz” buffet restaurant is all included in the fare. Mein Schiff 3 also boasts a bakery offering freshly prepared tarts or paninis for free. The Atlantic restaurant is divided into 3 themed restaurants and guests may choose to eat Asian, Mediterranean food or 5-course meals (all also included). Gosch Sylt offers fish, and another Bistro – smaller snacks. For an additional charge, enjoy the Hanami – exquisite Japanese restaurant, visit the specialty Richards, or the Steak Surf and Turf restaurant.

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff 3 restaurants and food bars.

• “Atlantic Classic” (530-seat, complimentary main dining room (of all three) for buffet-style Breakfast and waiter-served Lunch and Dinner. Some menu inclusions are at extra charge
• “Atlantic Eurasia” (265-seat main dining room; offers Asian and Oriental cuisine specialties, complimentary)
• “Atlantik Mediterran” (266-seat Mediterranean themed main dining room. Some items in the menu are marked as “family meals”)
• Hanami (62-seat Japanese restaurant for sushi and traditional specialties at surcharge)
• Tag & Nacht (Day & Night 24-hour 88-seat bistro)
• “Richards” (“Fine Dining” 70-seat dinner restaurant, reservations required, at surcharge PP)
• Surf & Turf (specialty seafood and steakhouse restaurant)
• Backstube / Bakery (120-seat, complimentary)
• Anckelmannsplatz buffet restaurant (745-seat, with partially covered outdoor area for al-fresco dining; complimentary, self-service, with various food stations)
• GOSCH Sylt (133-seat complimentary seafood restaurant, a la carte menu; with outdoor seating area)
• Alster Bar & Grill

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The main language on board TUI Schiff 3 is German. Passengers can feel the relaxed atmosphere the minute they board the ship – similar to the upscale club hotels. The evening entertainment program in the theatre includes theatrical performances, opera, musicals, varietes, music shows like Beatles, Sketch Parade, flying acrobatic artists and magicians. The theatre boasts dynamic LED screens and a revolving stage.

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff 3 lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Theatre (1000-seat main show lounge for grand-style show productions; with a revolving stage and eight dynamic LED screens)
• Sturmfrei (Teens Lounge featuring video gaming consoles, dance floor, foosball table, activities like karaoke, cooking classes, teen parties, movies, etc.)
• The Playground area (with Internet corner and Spielplatz/video console games. Internet access is complimentary for all Suite guests. Wi-Fi is available shipwide, prices are per minute, 1 hour or 3 hours)
• “Meerleben-Entdecken & Erleben” (Sea Life-Explore & Experience - the world’s first maritime museum at sea; 3230 ft2/300 m2 sealife museum with an interactive exhibition; interactive bridge; sea cinema; researchers table)
• Atelier (Workshop/art studio for painters)
• Klanghaus (Sound House - the first-ever chamber music room at sea, 300-seat with concert hall simulating acoustics; hosts events like opera, classical concerts, chamber music, jazz, cabaret performances, theatrical readings, comedies, media presentations)
• The Neuer Wall shopping arcades
• TUI Bar; Coffee Lounge; Diamant Bar (Diamond Bar); Abtanz Bar (100-seat disco nightclub); Rauchersalon (Cigar Room); Schau Bar (249-seat Show Bar); Champagner Treff (Champagnes Match; wine bar); Uberschau Bar (50-seat wellness bar with a “healthy drinks” menu); Unverzicht Bar (poolside bar); Eis Bar (40-seat Ice Bar)
• Grosse Freiheit (one of the most special places onboard, located at the aft of the ship and including various restaurants; features an 1800 ft2/167 m2 glass wall / diamond-shaped facade which spans on 2 decks)
• SPA Sauna area (with a Finnish Sauna room, Herbal Sauna, Salt Sauna, Tea Lounge)
• Himmel & Meer Lounge (Suite Guests only); X-Lounge (Suite-guests only lounge)
• SPA & Meer (SPA & Sea complex with a Rasul Room/mud bath, Treatment Rooms, Zen Garden, saunas; Beauty Salon)
• Sport & Gesunheit (Sport & Health Fitness Centre; Fitness classes/personal trainers provided at surcharge)
• Aussenpool (outdoor pool area with a 25 m long swimming pool, extensive sunbathing area, Aussenalster Bar & Grill)
• Innenpool (indoor, 2-level pool area with 1 swimming pool and 1 whirlpool)
• Outdoor large-size LED Movie Screen
• Insel der Seerauber (Pirates’ Island Kids Club complimentary lounge)
• Nest (baby room; offers babysitting services at surcharge)
• Arena (open-air combined sports court); Sport & Gesundheit Kursraum (spinning room for sports classes); Power Walking / Jogging Track
• Blauer Balkon (Blue Balcony) the “walk on water” spot features 11 m2 (140 ft2) glass-floor platforms positioned 37 m (120 ft) above sea level.

The cruise ship's Casino is open only during sea days. In 2018, TUI signed a partnership deal with "Merkur Casino Mare" (part of Gauselmann Group) for the onboard gambling on Schiff 1 (since 2018), Schiff 2 (since 2019) and Schiff 3 (since 2021). The ship Casino features 6x electronic roulettes plus 14x other Merkur gaming machines, and a separate gambling lounge with 4x M-Box Buzzer (multi-gaming machines) and a blackjack table for live gaming. For 2020, Gauselmann AG reported revenue EUR 2,56 billion (~USD 3B / ~GBP 2,2B). Since 2012, Gauselmann owns the British company Praesepe Ltd (now Merkur Casino UK) which owns the Cashino brand (street gambling arcade chain).

TUI schiff einkaufsbummel (onboard shopping)

TUI schiff SPA und Sport

TUI schiff sonnenbereiche und poolbereiche (sundeck and pool deck areas)

Itineraries

TUI Schiff 3 itinerary program was initially based on Canary Islands cruises (leaving from Gran Canaria), Mediterranean roundtrips (from Mallorca and Malta), and Caribbean roundtrips out of the Dominican Republic and Barbados, with Transatlantic repositioning crossings Europe-Caribbean-Europe.

Currently, the liner operates longer voyages in Northern Europe (Baltic and the UK) with roundtrips leaving out of Germany (from homeport Bremerhaven) visiting ports in Norway (Norwegian Fjords), Scandinavia, Britain, Iceland, Iberia.

Canary Islands itineraries (Gran Canaria roundtrips) also visit ports in North Africa (Morocco).

TUI Schiff 3's South Africa program 2022-2023 (originally scheduled between October 23 - March 3, with homeporting in Cape Town) was canceled in April 2022.

TUI Schiff 3 is one of the company's first newbuilds constructed at STX Finland (Turku). The shipbuilding company was bought out by Meyer Werft GmbH in 2015. All TUI new ships were built with energy efficient solutions and environmentally friendly powerplants reducing emissions by 30% in comparison to other similar-sized liners.

Vessel designers are Wilson Butler Architects, together with CM Design and Tillberg Design. Fun fact is, that each ship brings nearly 5000 person-years labour to the shipyard. Each ship's construction engages 800 out of all 1400 workers at the yard. The percentage of German travelers on TUI ships is around 80%.

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock on November 8, 2013.

Meyer Werft Turku delivered Schiff 3 to TUI on May 22, 2014. The christening ceremony was in Hamburg, held on June 12th, and led by godmother Helene Fischer (1984-born German schlager singer and entertainer).  The Maiden Voyage started on June 13th, when the ship left Hamburg for Palma de Mallorca.

During the inaugural season (2014), Schiff 3 was deployed in the Mediterranean for roundtrips from Valletta Harbour (Malta) to Adriatic and Western Med ports. In winter 2014-2015, Schiff 3 was deployed in Spain's Canary Islands and homeported in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Mein Schiff 3's first Master was Captain George Alevropoulos (seafaring career starting 1995, with TUI since 2009). Schiff 3's current Master (since 2018) is Captain Per Hard.