Mein Schiff Relax is an InTUItion-class ship built for German cruise line TUI Cruises. The ship is the first in a new class for the cruise line, with energy efficiency in mind that debuted in March 2025.[2]
 Mein Schiff Relax
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mein Schiff Relax |
| Operator | TUI Cruises |
| Port of registry | Valletta,  |
| Ordered | 12 July 2018 |
| Builder | Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy |
| Yard number | 6312 |
| Launched | 28 November 2023 |
| Christened | 9 April 2025 |
| Acquired | 7 February 2025[1] |
| Maiden voyage | 2 March 2025 |
| Identification | IMO number: 9862657 |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 160,000 GT |
| Length | 333 m (1,092 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 42.1 m (138 ft 1 in) |
| Decks | 19 |
| Speed | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) |
| Capacity | 3,984 passengers |
| Crew | 1,100 |
Design and construction
editThe ship was ordered by TUI Cruises in 2018[3] as the first of two new concept LNG-powered ships. At the time of the order, it was to be the largest cruise ship built in Italy.[4] The design was based on the Project Mille prototype platform developed by Fincantieri.[4] A sister ship, Mein Schiff Flow, will debut in 2026.[5] This new prototype is TUI Cruise's first new design since Mein Schiff 3 debuted in 2014.
The ship was designed with energy efficiency in mind, with dual-fuel configuration, being able to operate on LNG or marine gas oil, and has the ability to transition to alternatives including bio- or e-LNG when it becomes available in the market.[6] Mein Schiff Relax also features new catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine using residual heat from the diesel generators that ensures almost emission-free operations while in port, and a shore power connection for ports.[7]
A team of notable cruise ship designers and architects designed the layout and spaces of Mein Schiff Relax, including 3Deluxe, Wilson Butler Architects, Tillberg Design of Sweden, and JOI-Design.[8][9]
The first steel was cut in June 2022, with the bow section being constructed at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea, Romania.[10] The section was later towed to Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard where the ship would be assembled and completed. In October 2023, it was announced that the ship would be named Mein Schiff Relax, a departure from TUI's numbering convention of their past ships.[11]
Mein Schiff Relax was floated out in November 2023 with honorary godmother Elena Sperti, an employee of the shipyard.[12] The ship embarked on its first sea trials in October 2024, traveling from Monfalcone to Palermo, where she was dry-docked before returning to the shipyard for completion.[13] The ship held the second sea trials in December.[14]
On 7 February 2025, Mein Schiff Relax was officially delivered to TUI Cruises.[6] A handover ceremony was held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.[7][15] The ship was moved to Fincantieri's Trieste shipyard, and on 24 February 2025 departed for a repositioning pre maiden voyage from Trieste, Italy to her homeport of Palma de Mallorca.[16]
Service history
editMein Schiff Relax debuted on 2 March 2025, with a series of Mediterranean cruises from Palma de Mallorca.[17] It was announced that British singer Robbie Williams will be the feel-good ambassador of Mein Schiff Relax and perform at the naming ceremony.[18] A special christening ceremony was held on 9 April 2025, in the port of Málaga, Spain, with TUI Spa & Sport manager Giuliana Rizzo serving as godmother and Robbie Williams performing a concert.[19][20] The ship was joined by Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 7.[21]
References
edit- ^ "Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Relax in Monfalcone". 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "TUI Cruises goes bigger with a pair of LNG newbuilds at Fincantieri". Seatrade Cruise News.
- ^ "Continuing strong growth expected: TUI Group continues to expand its cruise fleet". www.tuigroup.com.
- ^ a b "Fincantieri: Construction of New Class of Ultra-Eco-Friendly Ships for Tui Cruises Begins". Fincantieri. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "TUI Cruises Reveals Mein Schiff Flow's Maiden Season Itineraries - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News.
- ^ a b "Fincantieri Hands Over Innovative LNG Cruise Ship to Germany's TUI Cruises". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Relax in Monfalcone - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ "MS RELAX". www.3deluxe.de.
- ^ "Rolf Benz fits out Mein Schiff Relax from TUI Cruises". Press Release - Rolf Benz.
- ^ "First Steel Cut for TUI Cruises' LNG-powered Cruise Ship". MarineLink. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "TUI Cruises' Eighth Newbuild Named Mein Schiff Relax". Cruise Industry News.
- ^ "Mein Schiff Relax launched in Monfalcone". Shippax. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Klostermann, Jan (8 October 2024). "Mein Schiff Relax fährt erstmals aus eigener Kraft – Sea Trial auf dem Mittelmeer". Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten (in German).
- ^ https://www.meinschiff.com/presse/archiv/lng-sea-trial-der-mein-schiff-relax-erfolgreich-beendet-weitere-testfahrt-des-ersten-neubaus-der-intuition-klasse-im-mittelmeer
- ^ Editorial (8 February 2025). "Fincantieri Delivers "Mein Schiff Relax," A Dual-Fuel Milestone for TUI Cruises". InTrieste. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ Jakubowics, Sonja (12 March 2025). "MEIN SCHIFF RELAX - Longing for freedom". Kronen Zeitung.
- ^ "TUI Cruises: Das ist die neue Mein Schiff Relax". Touristik Aktuell (in German). 1 March 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ "TUI Names Robbie Williams Feel-Good Ambassador for Mein Schiff Relax". Cruise Industry News.
- ^ "TUI Cruises Spa Manager Named Godmother Of Mein Schiff Relax | Crew Center". crew-center.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ ""Relaxing rocks": Spectacular naming of Mein Schiff Relax with Robbie Williams | news aktuell GmbH". kommunikasjon.ntb.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ "Christening of the Mein Schiff Relax". TUI Cruises.