Mein Schiff 3

The 2014-built TUI Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship is owned by TUI Cruises and was built by Meyer Turku Shipyard (Finland). She is TUI’s first newbuild, followed by 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 (50/50) between TUI Group (a British-German travel and tourism corporation) and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, a USA-based passenger shipping company).

TUI began cruise operations in 2009, focusing mainly on the German-speaking market with a premium vacation product. German and English are the main onboard languages across the fleet. TUI’s sister brands include Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The 2,500-passenger Mein Schiff 3 was built at STX Finland’s Turku shipyard and delivered to TUI Cruises on May 22, 2014. An identical sistership, Schiff 4, followed in 2015. All ships in this class feature environmentally friendly propulsion systems and energy-efficient technologies that reduce emissions by around 30% compared to other vessels of similar size.

TUI invested heavily in improving fuel efficiency and upholding high environmental standards. Notably, before construction began at STX Finland in late 2012, the shipbuilder was facing severe financial difficulties. Without TUI’s contract for two identical ships, the company might have declared bankruptcy. Ultimately, STX Finland was granted the necessary financial support by the Finnish Government to complete the project.

TUI Mein Schiff 3 cruise fares are all-inclusive and cover:

• 24-hour dining and snacks
• over 100 brand beverages and cocktails (excluding premium alcohol)
• facilities and entertainment for children and teens
• complimentary access to the SPA’s sauna area
• free gym and wellness classes
• onboard entertainment (shows, concerts, theatrical and musical performances)
• gratuities (all onboard tips included)

Decks and Cabins

TUI Schiff 3 staterooms (1,253 total) include 89 Suites, 957 Balcony cabins (80% of all staterooms), 97 Oceanview, and 123 Interior cabins across 23 categories. Six wheelchair-accessible cabins are located on Deck 3, each featuring wider entry and bathroom doors, emergency phone, handrails, and proximity to elevators. Suite guests enjoy additional benefits such as free Internet, Xbox console, complimentary minibar, concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, in-room dining, and exclusive access to the X-Lounge and private sundeck.

All Schiff 3 staterooms include 2 single beds (convertible to a double), bedside cabinets with drawers and reading lamps, sofa bed (or 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 (2 capsules per day), water carafe and glasses, mirrored dressing table with chair, and an en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, and bath products – shower gel, shampoo, conditioner). Each stateroom is equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning and 24-hour room service.

The vessel has 15 decks, 12 accessible to passengers and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Nearly all food, beverages, and gratuities are included in the cruise fare. The main buffet restaurant, “Anckelmannsplatz,” offers complimentary meals throughout the day, and the onboard bakery serves freshly prepared pastries and paninis free of charge. The “Atlantic” restaurant is divided into three themed dining rooms offering Asian, Mediterranean, and five-course menus, all included in the fare. “Gosch Sylt” specializes in seafood, while other bistros provide light snacks. Specialty venues available for an extra fee include “Hanami” (Japanese cuisine), “Richards” (fine dining), and “Surf & Turf” (steak and seafood).

Complete list of Mein Schiff 3 restaurants and food bars:

• “Atlantic Classic” – 530-seat main dining room serving buffet breakfast and waiter-served lunch and dinner (some menu items at extra cost)
• “Atlantic Eurasia” – 265-seat dining room offering Asian and Oriental cuisine (complimentary)
• “Atlantik Mediterran” – 266-seat Mediterranean-themed restaurant (some dishes labeled as “family meals”)
• Hanami – 62-seat Japanese restaurant serving sushi and traditional dishes (surcharge)
• Tag & Nacht – 24-hour bistro (88 seats)
• “Richards Fine Dining” – 70-seat dinner restaurant (reservations required, surcharge applies)
• Surf & Turf – specialty steak and seafood restaurant
• Backstube/Bakery – 120-seat complimentary venue
• Anckelmannsplatz – 745-seat buffet restaurant with partially covered outdoor seating (self-service)
• GOSCH Sylt – 133-seat complimentary seafood restaurant with à la carte menu and outdoor area
• Alster Bar & Grill

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The primary onboard language is German. Passengers enjoy a relaxed, upscale club-hotel atmosphere. The evening program in the main theatre includes theatrical performances, operas, musicals, variety shows, Beatles tributes, sketch parades, acrobatics, and magic acts. The theatre features dynamic LED screens and a revolving stage.

Complete list of Mein Schiff 3 lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for all ages:

• Theatre – 1,000-seat main show lounge with a revolving stage and LED screens
• Sturmfrei – Teens Lounge with video games, dance floor, karaoke, cooking classes, parties, and movies
• The Playground – Internet corner and console games (Suite guests have free Internet; Wi-Fi available shipwide at extra cost)
• “Meerleben – Entdecken & Erleben” – the world’s first maritime museum at sea (300 m² interactive exhibition with sea cinema and researcher’s table)
• Atelier – art studio for painting workshops
• Klanghaus – 300-seat chamber music hall with acoustic simulation for opera, concerts, and performances
• 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 drinks), Unverzicht Bar (pool bar), Eis Bar (Ice Bar)
• Grosse Freiheit – aft dining and lounge area with a two-deck glass façade (167 m²)
• SPA Sauna area – Finnish, Herbal, and Salt saunas plus Tea Lounge
• Himmel & Meer Lounge and X-Lounge – Suite guests only
• SPA & Meer – spa complex with Rasul room, Zen Garden, treatment rooms, and beauty salon
• Sport & Gesundheit – fitness center with personal training (extra charge)
• Aussenpool – outdoor pool (25 m long), sunbathing area, and Aussenalster Bar & Grill
• Innenpool – indoor pool with whirlpool
• Outdoor large LED movie screen
• Insel der Seerauber – Pirates’ Island Kids Club (complimentary)
• Nest – baby room with paid babysitting
• Arena – open-air sports court, spinning room, and jogging track
• Blauer Balkon – “walk-on-water” glass-floor platform (11 m², 37 m above sea level)

The ship’s casino operates only during sea days. In 2018, TUI partnered with “Merkur Casino Mare” (part of the Gauselmann Group) for onboard gambling on Schiff 1 (since 2018), Schiff 2 (since 2019), and Schiff 3 (since 2021). The casino includes six electronic roulettes, 14 Merkur gaming machines, a lounge with four M-Box Buzzer multi-game units, and a blackjack table for live gaming. Gauselmann AG reported 2020 revenue of EUR 2.56 billion (~USD 3B). Since 2012, the group also owns the British company Praesepe Ltd (now Merkur Casino UK), which operates the Cashino arcade chain.

TUI Schiff shopping experience

TUI Schiff SPA and Sport

TUI Schiff sundeck and pool areas

Itineraries

TUI Schiff 3’s initial itinerary program included Canary Islands cruises (departing from Gran Canaria), Mediterranean roundtrips (from Mallorca and Malta), and Caribbean roundtrips from the Dominican Republic and Barbados, with Transatlantic repositioning voyages between Europe and the Caribbean.

Currently, the ship operates longer Northern Europe itineraries (Baltic and British Isles), offering roundtrips from Germany (Bremerhaven) and visiting ports in Norway (Norwegian Fjords), Scandinavia, Britain, Iceland, and the Iberian Peninsula.

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

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

TUI Schiff 3 is one of the company’s first newbuilds, constructed at STX Finland in Turku. The shipyard was later acquired by Meyer Werft GmbH in 2015. All TUI newbuilds were designed with energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly propulsion systems, reducing emissions by approximately 30% compared to other cruise ships of similar size.

The vessel’s design was created by Wilson Butler Architects in collaboration with CM Design and Tillberg Design. Interestingly, each ship’s construction represents nearly 5,000 person-years of labor, involving around 800 of the shipyard’s 1,400 employees. Approximately 80% of TUI’s passengers are German travelers.

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

Meyer Werft Turku delivered Schiff 3 to TUI Cruises on May 22, 2014. The christening ceremony took place in Hamburg on June 12, led by godmother Helene Fischer (born 1984 – a popular German schlager singer and entertainer). The Maiden Voyage began on June 13, when the ship departed Hamburg for Palma de Mallorca.

During her inaugural 2014 season, Schiff 3 operated Mediterranean roundtrips from Valletta Harbour (Malta) to Adriatic and Western Mediterranean ports. In winter 2014–2015, she was deployed in Spain’s Canary Islands, homeported in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Mein Schiff 3’s first Master was Captain George Alevropoulos (a seafarer since 1995 and with TUI since 2009). Since 2018, the ship’s Master has been Captain Per Hard.