First Look: Mein Schiff 1

The latest flagship for Germany’s TUI Cruises has just set sail. Let’s take a look at her.

Handover of Mein Schiff 1 from Meyer Turku to TUI Cruises. [L to R Frank Kuhlmann TUI CFO, Wybcke Meier TUI CEO, Dr. Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft Turku and Tapani Pulli, Deputy CEO Meyer Turku]

TUI Cruises is set up as Royal Caribbean Cruises’ German subsidiary. It’s technically a joint venture between the Miami-based RCCL and German tour operator TUI AG. In 2009, TUI Cruises started sailing the Mein Schiff 1. This was the former 1,924 pax Celebrity Galaxy. The second ship, Mein Schiff 2 was brought onboard in 2011; the former Celebrity Mercury. After the success of the brand, and seeing that rival AIDA was bringing on newbuilds, TUI ordered their first newbuild from STX Finland for delivery in 2014. This was a completely original design. The Mein Schiffs 3 & 4 all share an identical design, except for a few tiny rearrangements of public areas. The Mein Schiffs 5 & 6 aren’t all that much different from her earlier sisters and also just have a few rearrangements for a couple of public areas.

However the Mein Schiff 7, what she was referred to at the time, would be a bit more significant of a change in her design, but nothing too drastic as her design was still based on the original vessels. The aft section was lengthened by 65 feet and there’s an additional half deck on the forward part of the ship.

While under construction, plans were then made to transfer the Mein Schiff 1 (ex- Celebrity Galaxy) and Mein Schiff 2 (ex- Celebrity Mercury) out of the fleet. The newbuilds then had their final name changed from 7 and 8 to 1 and 2.

The new Mein Schiff 1 can carry 2,894pax at double occupancy. There are 12 restaurants and bistros and 15 bars and lounges. On the top-most decks the exclusive X-Lounge has been enhanced and enlarged for suite guests only.

Theres also some new dining venues including a seafood restaurant Fischmarkt and some new bars such as Hoheluft Bar on deck 15 and the Ebbe & Flut Beer Bar on deck 5. Also on deck 5 is an interactive kitchen where guests can partake and create dishes plus attend food demonstrations. Also below decks, the two main restaurants a well as the atrium have been remastered.

The ship sets sail tomorrow from Hamburg on a 6-day trip to Norway.