Mein Schiff 1

The 2018-built TUI Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship is owned by TUI Cruises and has two sisterships – Mein Schiff 2 (2019) and Mein Schiff 7 (2023). The vessels were originally designated as “Mein Schiff 7” and “Mein Schiff 8,” but since the previous ships with those names were transferred to Marella Cruises UK (part of the TUI Group), the newbuilds adopted their names.

The vessel (IMO number 9783564) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 248513000) and registered in Valletta.

History – Construction and Ownership

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

TUI Cruises began operations in 2009, targeting the German-speaking market with a premium vacation experience. German and English are the main onboard languages on all Mein Schiff vessels. TUI’s sister brands include Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The new Mein Schiff 1 inherited its name from the original vessel (launched in 1996, currently operated as the Marella Explorer). In 2017, the previous Mein Schiff 1 was sold to Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson Cruises) and officially joined the Marella fleet in 2018.

TUI Mein Schiff 1 cruise fares include:

• 24-hour food and snacks onboard
• Over 100 branded beverages and cocktails (excluding premium alcohol brands)
• Children’s and teens’ facilities and entertainment
• Complimentary access to the SPA’s sauna area
• Free use of the gym and participation in wellness classes
• Onboard entertainment (shows, concerts, theatrical and musical performances)
• All gratuities (tips included)

Decks and Cabins

TUI Mein Schiff 1 staterooms (1,447 total) accommodate up to 2,534 passengers (2,894 maximum capacity). Over 80% of all cabins are oceanview, and all suites and family cabins feature Xbox 360 gaming consoles. The largest accommodations are the two-deck Himmel & Meer Suites with private rooftop terraces. New comfort categories include the “Verandah Deluxe at Home” rooms for families, as well as Spa Balcony Cabins with exclusive spa access.

All Mein Schiff 1 staterooms include standard amenities such as two single beds (convertible to a double), bedside cabinets with drawers and reading lamps, a sofa bed (or 1–2 Pullman beds), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system with on-demand movies, Internet, ship information channel), direct-dial phone, wardrobe, electronic safe (in closet), minibar, Nespresso coffee machine (two capsules provided daily), 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, and 24-hour room service.

The ship has 16 decks, of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 10 contain cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

The main buffet restaurant “Anckelmannsplatz” offers a wide selection of complimentary dishes. Mein Schiff 1 also features a bakery serving freshly made tarts and paninis free of charge. The “Atlantic” restaurant is divided into three themed sections offering Asian, Mediterranean, and 5-course menus, all included in the fare. “GOSCH Sylt” specializes in seafood, while several bistros offer smaller snacks. Specialty restaurants available at an extra cost include Hanami (Japanese), Richards (fine dining), and Surf & Turf (steakhouse).

Complete list of Mein Schiff 1 restaurants and food bars:

• Atlantic Classic – main dining room (complimentary for breakfast buffet, waiter-served lunch and dinner; some menu items at extra charge)
• Atlantik Brasserie – main restaurant offering French cuisine and à la carte healthy options
• Atlantik Mediterran – Mediterranean-themed dining room (some menu items labeled “family meals”)
• Hanami – specialty Japanese restaurant (surcharge)
• Tag & Nacht – 24-hour bistro (Day & Night)
• Richards – fine dining restaurant (reservations required, surcharge per person)
• Surf & Turf – specialty seafood and steakhouse
• Backstube / Bakery – complimentary
• Anckelmannsplatz – buffet restaurant with partially covered outdoor seating (complimentary, self-service with various food stations)
• GOSCH Sylt – complimentary à la carte seafood restaurant with outdoor seating
• Außenalster Bar & Grill
• Thalia Leselounge (reading lounge) and Nespresso Bar (deck 3 lobby area, redesigned)
• Hanami (Asian restaurant by Tim Raue)
• Schmankerl – Entspannt (Austrian restaurant)
• Ganz Schön Gesund (Very Healthy Bistro)
• Manufaktur Kreativ Küche (Creative Kitchen)
• Osteria (pizzeria)

Shipboard Entertainment – Fun and Sports

The main language on board Mein Schiff 1 is German. Almost all food, beverages, and gratuities are included in the cruise fare. Evening entertainment in the theater features stage productions, opera, musicals, variety shows, Beatles tributes, sketch parades, flying acrobatics, and magic acts. The theater includes dynamic LED screens and a revolving stage.

Complete list of Mein Schiff 1 entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults:

• Theater – 1,000-seat main show lounge with revolving stage and dynamic LED screens
• Sturmfrei – teens’ lounge with gaming consoles, dance floor, foosball, karaoke, cooking classes, parties, and movies
• The Playground – Internet corner and video game area (complimentary Internet for Suite guests; Wi-Fi available shipwide at per-minute or hourly rates)
• Atelier – art studio/workshop for painting
• Klanghaus – 300-seat concert hall (the first-ever chamber music venue at sea) hosting opera, classical concerts, cabaret, readings, and multimedia events
• Neuer Wall – shopping arcade
• TUI Bar, Coffee Lounge, Diamant Bar, Abtanz Bar (nightclub), Rauchersalon (Cigar Room), Schau Bar (Show Bar), Champagner Treff (Champagne & Wine Bar), Uberschau Bar (Wellness Bar with healthy drinks), Unverzicht Bar (Pool Bar), Eis Bar (Ice Bar)
• X-Bar, Hoheluft Bar, Ebbe & Flut Bier Bar (Beer Bar)
• Grosse Freiheit – aft area with multiple restaurants and a two-deck glass “diamond” wall facade
• SPA Sauna area – Finnish, Herbal, and Salt saunas plus Tea Lounge
• Himmel & Meer Lounge and X-Lounge – exclusive for Suite guests
• SPA & Meer – wellness complex with Rasul Room (mud bath), treatment rooms, Zen Garden, and Beauty Salon
• Sport & Gesundheit – fitness center offering personal training and fitness classes (some at surcharge)
• Aussenpool – outdoor pool area (25 m / 82 ft long pool, sunbathing deck, Außenalster Bar & Grill)
• Innenpool – two-level indoor pool area with swimming pool and whirlpool
• Outdoor large LED movie screen
• Insel der Seeräuber – “Pirates’ Island” kids club (complimentary)
• Nest – baby room (babysitting services at surcharge)
• Arena – open-air sports court; spinning studio; 438 m (1,437 ft) jogging track
• Blauer Balkon – “Blue Balcony” glass-floor platform (11 m² / 120 ft²), located 37 m (120 ft) above sea level

The onboard Casino operates only during sea days. In 2018, TUI partnered with Merkur Casino Mare (part of the Gauselmann Group) to manage onboard gaming for Mein Schiff 1 (since 2018), Mein Schiff 2 (since 2019), and Mein Schiff 3 (since 2021). The casino features six electronic roulettes, 14 Merkur slot machines, four M-Box Buzzer multi-game machines, and a blackjack table. Gauselmann AG (Merkur brand owner) reported EUR 2.56 billion (~USD 3 billion) in revenue for 2020 and also owns the UK-based Praesepe Ltd (Merkur Casino UK), which operates the Cashino arcade chain.

TUI Schiff Shopping

TUI Schiff Spa and Sports

TUI Schiff Sundeck and Pool Areas

Itineraries

TUI Mein Schiff 1’s itinerary program is focused on European routes. The ship primarily operates roundtrip cruises from homeports Hamburg and Kiel (offering Baltic Sea, Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia, and Russia itineraries), as well as from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (serving the Mediterranean, Madeira, and Canary Islands).

The new Mein Schiff 1 is TUI’s fifth liner built in Turku, Finland. The vessel was ordered on July 1, 2015. The steel-cutting ceremony, marking the official start of construction, took place on August 16, 2016. The keel-laying ceremony (hull number TUI NB-1392) followed on February 13, 2017, at Meyer Werft’s Turku Shipyard. On September 29, 2017, the ship was launched (floated out from the drydock). The event was attended by Wybcke Meier (TUI Cruises CEO) and Jan Meyer (Meyer Turku CEO). The vessel was officially delivered to TUI AG on April 25, 2018, in a ceremony again attended by both CEOs.

The christening ceremony took place on May 11, 2018, in Port Hamburg, Germany (at the HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai). The ship’s two godmothers were Kira Walkenhorst and Laura Ludwig, both Olympic beach volleyball champions. The onboard celebration was held on the pool deck and hosted by Yared Dibaba, featuring aerial acrobatics performed from the nearby gantry cranes.

Mein Schiff 1 is approximately 20 m (66 ft) longer than the previous Mein Schiff series (ships 5 and 6). The increased length allowed for higher passenger capacity, redesigned interior spaces, and the addition of new attractions. All new TUI ships feature energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly power systems that reduce emissions by 30% compared to similar-sized vessels. The ship’s design partners included Wilson Butler Architects, CM Design, and Tillberg Design. Each vessel in this series represents about 5,000 person-years of labor at the Turku shipyard, employing around 800 of the yard’s 1,400 workers. Around 80% of TUI Cruises’ passengers are German travelers.

Compared to her fleetmates Mein Schiff 3 and Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 1 is 20 m (66 ft) longer and introduces new cabin categories (Schöne Aussicht Suite, Horizont Suite, Übersee Suite, Panorama Suite). The ship is approximately 10% more energy efficient than Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 and is equipped with exhaust gas scrubbers on all engines to reduce NOₓ emissions.

The vessel’s powerplant consists of four Wärtsilä marine diesel engines (total output 48 MW), while propulsion is provided by azimuth thrusters (total power output 28 MW).

Mein Schiff 1 Refurbishment 2023 Review

The ship’s first drydock refurbishment took place from April 21 to May 1, 2023, at Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg (Dock Elbe 17).

The project involved around 1,100 people, including crew, shipyard staff, contractors, engineers, and technicians. Major works included installing shore power connectivity (with a hull opening made to accommodate power cables), upgrading the wastewater treatment system, and completing general maintenance tasks such as hull cleaning and silicone coating to reduce water resistance, fuel consumption, and CO₂ emissions.

Interior renovations included the redesign of the Ebbe & Flut beer bar, the addition of a new Art Gallery, and upgrades to the Lobby Hall, including the Guest Services Desk and Shore Excursions Desk.

(NEW / Neu) TUI Mein Schiff 1 Inaugural Itineraries 2018

The tables below show the ship’s maiden voyages and ports of call.

8-night / 9-day "Inaugural Cruise" (Norwegian Fjords from Hamburg to Kiel)

2 nights / 3 days Inaugural "Cruise to Nowhere" from Hamburg

10 nights / 11 days Inaugural "Baltic Cruise" to Scandinavia and Russia (themed "Ostsee Baltikum Mit Danzig"

3 nights / 4 days Inaugural "Mini-Cruise" (themed "Kurzreise Goteburg und Kopenhagen"

12 nights / 13 days Inaugural "Repositioning Cruise" from Germany to the Canary Islands

7 nights / 8 days Inaugural "Canary Islands Cruise" (themed "Kanaren Mit Madeira"

(2019) 11 nights / 12 days Inaugural "Mediterranean Cruise" roundtrip from the Canary Islands

Godspeed!