Mein Schiff 5

The 2016-built TUI Mein Schiff 5 cruise ship is owned by TUI Group and built by Meyer Turku Shipyard (Finland). TUI Schiff 5 has all 5 sisterships (from the same series) - Schiff 3 (2014), Schiff 4 (2015), Schiff 6 (2017), Schiff 1 (2018) and Schiff 2 (2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9753193) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 256235000) 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 5 was launched on January 15, 2016, following a 14-month construction period. The launch took place 6 months ahead of the liner's scheduled christening ceremony on July 15, which was held at Lubeck Bay (close to Travemunde-Lubeck Germany).

Schiff 5 uses highly innovative technology for environmentally-friendly ship operations. Each ship in this series consumes 30% less energy in comparison with vessels of similar size. By using combined exhaust gas treatment systems for reducing bad emissions, these ships fully exploit all that is technically feasible.

TUI Mein Schiff 5 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 5 staterooms (1267 total) include 80 Suites, 963 Balcony (80% of all cabins), 97 Oceanviews and 127 Interior, in total 23 cabin categories and with 2534 lower beds. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 4, all located on Deck 3 and each with wider entry and bathroom doors, emergency phone, special handrails and location close to the passenger lifts. All Suites and Family cabin categories have Xbox gaming consoles. Exclusive Suites-only amenities are free Internet, complimentary mini-bar, concierge service, priority services, in-room dining, access to the ship's X-Lounge and private sundeck.

The boat has 14 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Schiff 5's special cabin categories include the 2-deck Himme und Meer suites (2-story maisonette apartments with private rooftop terraces), comfort cabins for families, Spa balcony cabins with exclusive spa facilities access.

All Schiff 5 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

The food in the large Anckelmannsplatz buffet restaurant is all included in the fare. Mein Schiff 5 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 (Japanese restaurant), visit the Richards Restaurant or the Surf und Turf Steakhouse.

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff 5 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
• Atlantik Brasserie (265-seat main dining room; offers French cuisine specialties, a la carte menu and healthy choices)
• 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 und Nacht (Day & Night 24-hour 88-seat bistro)
• Richards' Fine Dining (70-seat dinner restaurant, reservations required, at surcharge PP)
• Surf und 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)
• Ausenalster Bar & Grill.

In comparison to TUI ships 3 and 4, new features on ships 5 and 6 are:

• Thalia Leselounge (reading lounge) and Nespresso Bar (both on deck 3 / the ship's lobby area was redesigned)
• Hanami (Asian restaurant by Tim Raue, deck 5)
• Schmankerl-Entspannt (Austrian restaurant, deck 5)
• Osteria (pizzeria, deck 5)
• Lagune (outdoor pool, deck 12).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The main language on board TUI Mein Schiff 5 is German. Almost all beverages, food and gratuities are included in the cruise price. 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 5 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)
• 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)
• Casino (20-seat; open only during sea days)
• 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 und Meer (SPA & Sea complex with a Rasul Room/mud bath, Treatment Rooms, Zen Garden, saunas; Beauty Salon)
• Sport und Gesunheit (Sport & Health Fitness Centre; Fitness classes/personal trainers provided at surcharge)
• Aussenpool (outdoor pool area with a 25 m long swimming pool named Lagune, 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 sport 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.

TUI schiff einkaufsbummel (onboard shopping)

TUI schiff SPA und Sport

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

Itineraries

Mein Schiff 5 itinerary program was initially based on Mediterranean roundtrips from Mallorca and Caribbean roundtrips from Dominican Republic (La Romana) and Barbados (Bridgetown). The liner offers Transatlantic repositioning (Europe-Caribbean-Europe), between Mediterranean-Baltic and through Suez Canal (Mediterranean-Dubai-Mediterranean).

• During winter, Schiff 5 cruises to Eastern and Southern Caribbean ports leaving roundtrip from Barbados and the Dominican Republic. The 14-day Karibik itineraries visit ports in Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada, Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba.
• Northern European itineraries are roundtrips from Germany to the UK (Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, England) and Norway (Norwegian Fjords).
• The 7-day Dubai roundtrips visit Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, UAE (Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi), with Dubai pre- and post-cruise overnights. In 2020, a special 14-day cruise from Dubai visits India (Mumbai, Cochin, Mormugao).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in mid-April 2021 TUI announced that Schiff 5 restarts revenue operations on May 13th (2021) with two different 7-day itineraries leaving roundtrip from homeport Heraklion Crete. Itinerary1 visited Rhodes Island, Piraeus-Athens, Souda-Chania Crete. Itinerary2 visited Corfu Island (Kerkyra), Katakolon-Olympia, Piraeus-Athens. Prices started from EUR 1400 per person (balcony cabin with double occupancy/EUR 1850 pp Junior Suite) with fares inclusive of flights (via chartered aircraft).

TUI relocated Mein Schiff 5 from Europe to Asia via Suez Canal (ReporsitionCruises.com), with homeporting in Singapore (Dec 6, 2022, through March 15, 2023) and in Hong Kong China (Mar 29 through April 6, 2023).

Schiff 5 is TUI's third newbuild vessel constructed in Turku Finland. The shipbuilding company STX was bought out by Meyer Werft GmbH in 2015. All the new TUI liners were built with energy-efficient solutions and environmentally friendly powerplants that reduce emissions by 30% and consume 30% less energy in comparison to other ships of similar size. The advanced scrubber (exhaust cleaning system) uses a catalytic and scrubber converter, which reduces sulfur emissions by 99% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 75%.

Designers of the new TUI ships are Wilson Butler Architects, together with CM Design and Tillberg Design. Fun fact is, that each ship in this new series brings nearly 5000 person-years labor to the Turku shipyard. Each ship's construction engages 800 out of all 1400 workers at the shipbuilding yard. The percentage of German travelers on TUI ships is ~80%.

Schiff 5 vessel's hull construction started with the keel-laying ceremony (held on June 23, 2015). The ceremony started by lowering the first keel block into the shipyard’s drydock hall. Traditionally, "lucky coins" were put under the keel block. The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on January 15, 2016, at Meyer Werft's newly acquired Turku Shipyard. The 14 months construction period involved 1500 employees. A total of 77 steel blocks were melted into a new cruise ship in the course of construction. By the old maritime tradition, during the keel-laying ceremony coins were put under the keel block - to bring good luck for the vessel.

The vessel was delivered 10 days earlier than scheduled - on June 20, 2016. The delivery ceremony was attended by Frank Kuhlmann (TUI's CFO), Wybcke Meier (TUI's CEO) and Jan Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO). TUI Schiff 5 is the first cruise ship that was both contracted and built totally under Meyer Werft's ownership. In the afternoon of June 21, the mooring ropes were cut and the ship crewed with around 1000 people left the shipbuilding yard and headed for Kiel Germany (its ever first cruise port of call), where she arrived on June 23.

The ship's christening ceremony was held on July 15, 2016, at Lubeck Bay (near Travemunde Germany). The ceremony was led by Godmother Lena Johanna Therese Meyer-Landrut (1991-born German singer and songwriter). Following her 'Satellite" song live performance, Lena beamed a laser ray off the top of the Maritim Strandhotel which set off a mechanism that smashed a Champagne bottle against the hull. The naming ceremony also featured acrobatic performances (by "Les Oiseaux du Paradis") and a fireworks show streamed on multiple LED screens along the beach. Part of the ceremony was also the ship's 1800 cruise passengers and over 300 special guests, among which Richard Fain (RCCL company's CEO and Chairman).

The inaugural cruise was on July 16-24 (Baltic Capitals itinerary) roundtrip from Kiel to Tallinn, Sankt Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm. On September 12, 2016, the vessel made her maiden UK stop - docking in Portland England. During the port stay, over 75% of the shore excursions were to Dorset's attractions, including the Jurassic Coast, Abbotsbury Swannery, Corfe Castle, Minterne House, Portland Bill.

During its Inaugural season (summer of 2016), Schiff 5 sailed on various Northern European itineraries (Norway, UK, Baltic /Scandinavia and Russia). During winter, the ship sailed on roundtrip Mediterranean itineraries leaving from Spain (Palma De Mallorca), Transatlantic repositioning crossings and Caribbean cruises leaving from Barbados (Bridgetown) and Dominican Republic (La Romana).

During the scheduled for 2020 drydock, Schiff 5's powerplant was upgraded with shoreside power capabilities. The technology allows the vessel to shut down its diesel engines while in port and to receive electricity from the city's power grid via a dockside facility.

Mein Schiff 5's last drydock refurbishment was in 2023 (November 20- December 2) conducted in Dubai UAE. The project was mainly for regular maintenance works and classification surveys, hull cleaning/silicon coating, as well as technical overhauls and upgrades to all public areas. Renovations included new carpeting throughout (2500 m2/26900 ft2), Shore Excursions Desk, Future Cruise Office, adding a new poolside bar and Art Gallery. The powerplant was upgraded with shoreside power capabilities. The technology allows the vessel to shut down its diesel engines while in port and to receive electricity from the city's power grid via a dockside facility.

Inaugural itineraries 2016

Follows the list of special and repositioning cruise itineraries of the new TUI Schiff 5 ship, with ticket prices per person.

• "Inaugural Cruise "(July 16-24) was an 8-day Baltic roundtrip from Kiel Germany to at Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm. Prices started at EUR 1800 pp. The maiden summer season offered Baltic Sea, Norway, Northern and Western European itineraries. The Caribbean was planned for winter 2016-2017.
• November 2 (Transatlantic repositioning) - 17-day / 16-night from Palma De Mallorca to the Caribbean - La Romana (Dominican Republic), to Malaga, Gibraltar, Canaries (Arrecife), Cape Verde (Mindelo), Barbados (Bridgetown), Guadeloupe (Pointe A Pitre), BVI (Tortola)
• November 2 (Transatlantic repositioning) - 20-day / 19-night Transatlantic cruise to Caribbean from Palma De Mallorca to Bridgetown (Barbados), to Malaga, Gibraltar, Canaries (Arrecife), Cape Verde (Mindelo), Barbados (Bridgetown), Guadeloupe (Pointe A Pitre), BVI (Tortola), Dominican Republic (La Romana), Dominica (Roseau) - prices started from EUR 2020 pp.
• November 18 (Inaugural "Caribbean Cruise") - 15-day / 14-night roundtrip from La Romana to Roseau (20), Barbados (21 + 22), Pointe A Pitre (23), Martinique (Fort de France /24), St Lucia (Castries /25), Grenada (St Georges /26), Curacao (Willemstad /28), Bonaire (Kralendijk /29), Aruba (Oranjestad /30) - prices started from EUR 2020.
• April 7 (2017 Transatlantic repositioning) - 18-day / 17-night from La Romana to Palma De Mallorca, to Roseau, Bridgetown, St Kitts (Basseterre), St Maarten (Philipsburg), Madeira (Funchal), Cadiz.
• April 10 (2017 Transatlantic repositioning) - 15-day / 14-night Transatlantic from Bridgetown to Palma De Mallorca, to Basseterre, Philipsburg, Funchal, Cadiz.

Godspeed!