Mein Schiff 4

TUI Mein Schiff 4 cruise ship is owned by TUI Cruises and built by Meyer Turku Shipyard (Finland). TUI Schiff 4 has all 5 sister ships (from the same series) – Mein Schiff 3 (2014), Mein Schiff 5 (2016), Mein Schiff 6 (2017), NEW Mein Schiff 1 (2018) and NEW Mein Schiff 2 (2019).

History - construction and ownership

TUI Cruises is a Germany-based Joint venture cruise company of TUI Group (British-German travel and tourism corporation) and RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd - US passenger shipping company). TUI started operations in 2009, targeting predominantly the German-speaking market with a premium travel vacation product. German is the main onboard language on all TUI Schiffs (ships). TUI's sister-brand is Marella Cruises (UK source market).

For the most part, the 99,500-ton, 2,506-passenger Mein Schiff 4 is a copy of her successful sister, Mein Schiff 3. Mein Schiff 4 is the 2nd TUI ship of line's “well-being ships”, with a modern design provided by CM Design, Tillberg and Wilson Butler Architects. Four more identical design ships will be built in the period between 2016-2018 in Finland, all with new-generation, environmentally-friendly marine engines and energy-saving power plants. All ships in this series will feature around 80%German passenger content.

TUI Mein Schiff 4 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).

Cruise itinerary program

On May 14, 2015 Mein Schiff 4 entered her first cruise port, Kiel, from where the ship was scheduled to operate short inaugural cruises.

The current Mein Schiff 4 itinerary program is based on round-trip Canary Islands, Morocco and Maderia cruises from Gran Canaria during the winter. The other operational region featuring summer round-trip itineraries includes Northern Europe with Baltic and Norwegian sailings departing from Kiel, Germany.

Cabins

TUI Mein Schiff 4 offers a total of 89 Suites, 957 Balcony staterooms (that are 80% of all rooms), 97 Oceanview rooms and 123 Interior cabins. The number cabin categories is 23. Mein Schiff 4 also has 6 wheelchair accessible cabins, all located on Deck 3, with wider entry and bathroom doors, emergency phone, special handrails and location close to the passenger lifts. Bonus services for all Suite cabin categories include free Internet access, Xbox gaming console, complimentary mini-bar, concierge service, priority services, in-room dining, exclusive Suites-only access to ship's X-Lounge and private sundeck.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The complimentary dining options onboard Mein Schiff 4, all included in cruise prices, are Atlantik (Mediterran, Brasserie, Klassik), Anckelmannsplatz, Backstube, GOSCH Sylt, Tag & Nacht, Eis Bar. Surf & Turf, Hanami and Richards are at additional charge. Drinks in most bars and restaurants are free. TUI Cruises pioneered the "Dynamic Dining" concept, that was later spread fleetwide on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff 4 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” (256-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 specialty Japanese restaurant for sushi and traditional specialties at surcharge).
• Tag & Nacht (Day & Night 24-hour 88-seat bistro).
• “Richards” (“Fine Dining” 70-seat dinner restaurant, reservations required, at surcharge PP).
• Surf & 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).
• Alster Bar & Grill.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

TUI Mein Schiff 4 boasts a Sound House (the first chamber music Philharmonic at sea), as well as a 3-tiered Theatre and 25-meter long swimming pool. The evening entertainment program in the theater includes theatrical performances, opera, musicals, varietes, music shows like Beatles, Sketch Parade, flying acrobatic artists and magicians. The theater boasts eight dynamic LED screens and a revolving stage.

Ship's Sound House (Klanghaus) has concert hall which simulates acoustics and hosts opera and cabaret performances, chamber music, classical concerts. The first ever chamber music room at sea has an ACS (Acoustic Control System) and doubles as indoor cinema. Its moving seats allow quick transformation into a ballroom.

Mein Schiff 4 is also the first cruise ship to feature a maritime museum at sea - “Meerleben – Entdecken & Erleben”. It is operated together with the “International Maritime Museum” in Hamburg. The project was supported by the Ministry of Education and Research), Hamburg University, Bremen University, private companies and foundations.

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff 4 lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Theater (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).
• “Meerleben-Entdecken & Erleben” (Sea Life-Explore & Experience - the world’s first maritime museum at sea; 3230 ft2/300 m2 sealife museum with an interactive exhibition; interactive bridge; sea cinema; researchers table).
• 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 a 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 & Meer (SPA & Sea complex with a Rasul Room/mud bath, Treatment Rooms, Zen Garden, saunas; Beauty Salon.
• Sport & Gesunheit (Sport & Health Fitness Centre; Fitness classes/personal trainers provided at surcharge).
• Aussenpool (outdoor pool area with a 25 m long swimming pool, 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 with 148 ft2/11 m2 glass-floor platforms positioned 121 ft/37 m above sea level).

• Cabin grades number: 23
• Total number of cabins: 1253 (of which 957 Balcony rooms, 97 Oceanview, 123 Inside).
• Dining Rooms: Atlantic (divided into 3 theme restaurants - choose between the Atlantic-Classic (5-course meals), Atlantic-Eurasia (Asian) or Atlantic-Ocean (Mediterranean).
• Restaurants and food bars: Anckelmannsplatz (buffet), GOSCH Sylt, Surf & Turf (steakhouse), Outer Alster Bar & Grill, Richard's, Hanami, Day & Night bistro.
• Lounges & Bars: About Show Bar, Diamond Bar, Unverzicht, X-Lounge, Casino & Lounge, Champagnertreff, coffee lounge, smoking room.
• Spa & Sea, sauna, steam room, beauty salon, jogging track, Fitness Center (aerobic classes, personal training), 4 jacuzzis, 2 outdoor pools (one of which is 25-meter), indoor pool, duty-free shops, Theater, Klanghaus (chamber music Philharmonic at sea), outdoor cinema, casino, Baby Room, "Island of pirates" Kids Club, "Sturmfrei" teens lounge.
• TUI Mein Schiff 4 cruise ship is the line's second newbuild vessel. It was constructed at STX Finland shipyard in Turku. The shipbuilding company was bought out by Meyer Werft GmbH in 2015.
• All the new TUI cruise vessels were built with energy efficient solutions and environmentally friendly power plants that reduce emissions by 30% in comparison to other ships of similar size. Designers of the new TUI liners 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 board TUI ships is around 80%.
• Floated out October 10, 2014 the vessel was delivered to TUI on May 8, 2015. It was christened on June 5, 2015 in Kiel Germany by former Olympic swimmer Franziska van Almsick.
• During the inaugural 2014 seaon, TUI Schiff 4 sailed on various itineraries in Northern Europe (Norway Fjords, Baltic/Scandinavia and Russia). During winter, the ship operated roundtrip 7-day Canary Islands cruises leaving from Gran Canaria (Canaries).