Mein Schiff Flow

The 2026-built Mein Schiff Flow (formerly Schiff 9) cruise ship (currently on order) has a sistership, Mein Schiff Relax (formerly Schiff 8, 2025). Both vessels belong to the new InTUItion-Class (originally the "TUI XL-Schiff" series).

Mein Schiff Flow is scheduled for delivery in 2026-Q2 (April–June), while Mein Schiff Relax is set to debut in 2025-Q1.

The vessel (IMO number 9862669) will sail under the Malta flag (MMSI tba) and will be registered in Valletta.

Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of Schiff 9’s construction and her delivery were both delayed—from 2026-Q1 (January–March) to 2026-Q2 (April–June).

TUI’s two newbuilds (Schiff 8 and Schiff 9) were ordered in July 2018, with construction commencing in June 2022. Unlike TUI’s previous sisterships built by Meyer Turku (Finland), both new vessels are being constructed by Fincantieri at the Monfalcone Shipyard near Trieste, Italy. These are TUI’s first LNG-powered ships and the largest in the fleet by design (160,000 GT) and capacity (~4,100 passengers plus ~1,100 crew).

History – Construction and Ownership

TUI Cruises is a UK-based joint venture (50/50) between TUI Group (the British-German travel and tourism corporation) and the Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), an American cruise company.

TUI launched its cruise operations in 2009, primarily targeting 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.

Mein Schiff Flow has 18 decks and a maximum passenger capacity of around 4,000. Approximately 90% of all staterooms are outside cabins, and about 80% have private step-out balconies.

Compared to Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff Flow features enhanced amenities and improved energy-efficient technology. She is equipped with an advanced exhaust gas cleaning system that reduces SOx emissions by nearly 99% and NOx emissions by 75%. The ship also includes an Aqua Park with waterslides and an Activity Deck featuring a Rope Course.

Decks and Cabins

Over 80% of TUI Schiff Flow’s 2,050 staterooms are outside cabins. All suites and family cabins come with Xbox 360 gaming consoles. The largest accommodations are the two-deck Himmel-Meer Suites with rooftop terraces. The Verandah Deluxe cabins are designed for families, while Spa Balcony cabins provide exclusive access to the onboard spa facilities.

All cabins include standard amenities such as two single beds (convertible to one double bed), bedside cabinets with drawers and reading lamps, a sofabed (or 1–2 Pullman beds), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system with on-demand movies, Internet, and ship information channel), direct-dial telephone, wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), minibar, Nespresso coffee machine (two capsules per day), water carafe with glasses, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, and bath products), individually controlled air-conditioning, and 24-hour room service.

Shipboard Dining – Food and Drinks

The large Anckelmannsplatz buffet restaurant offers complimentary dining. Mein Schiff Flow also features a bakery serving freshly prepared tarts and paninis. The Atlantic Restaurant is divided into three themed venues offering Asian, Mediterranean, or five-course meals (all complimentary). GOSCH Sylt serves seafood, and the Bistro provides light snacks. Specialty dining venues available for an additional charge include Hanami (Japanese), Richards, and Surf & Turf (steakhouse).

Below is the complete list of Mein Schiff Flow restaurants and food bars (14 total):

• Atlantic Classic (530 seats) – main dining room serving buffet breakfast and waiter-served lunch and dinner (some items at extra charge)
• Atlantic Brasserie (265 seats) – French cuisine, à la carte menu, healthy options
• Atlantic Mediterran (266 seats) – Mediterranean-themed main dining room with some “family meal” menu options
• Hanami (62 seats) – specialty Japanese restaurant (surcharge applies)
• Tag und Nacht (Day and Night, 24-hour 88-seat bistro)
• Richard’s (70-seat fine dining restaurant, reservation required, surcharge per person)
• Surf und Turf – specialty steakhouse and seafood restaurant (surcharge)
• Backstube / Bakery (120 seats, complimentary)
• Anckelmannsplatz Buffet (745 seats, partially covered outdoor area for al fresco dining, complimentary self-service stations)
• GOSCH Sylt (133 seats, complimentary à la carte seafood restaurant with outdoor seating)
• Aussenalster Bar and Grill
• Ganz Schön Gesund (Very Healthy Bistro)
• Manufaktur Kreativ Küche (Creative Kitchen)
• Nespresso Bar (Atrium Lobby Bar)
• Schmankerl-Entspannt (Austrian restaurant)
• Osteria (pizzeria)

Shipboard Entertainment – Fun and Sport

The main onboard language is German. Nearly all food, drinks, and gratuities are included in the cruise fare.

Evening entertainment in the Hexagonal Theater includes theatrical performances, operas, musicals, variety shows, music revues (such as The Beatles), acrobatic acts, and magic shows. The theater is equipped with dynamic LED screens and a revolving stage.

Below is the full list of Mein Schiff Flow lounges, bars, and entertainment venues for guests of all ages (17 total):

• Hexagonal Theater (1,000-seat main show lounge with revolving stage and eight LED screens)
• Casino Burlesque (1920s-themed cabaret-style bar lounge)
• Sturmfrei (Teens Lounge with gaming consoles, dance floor, foosball, karaoke, movies, and themed parties)
• The Playground (Internet corner and gaming area; free Wi-Fi for suite guests, paid shipwide access)
• Atelier (art studio for painting workshops)
• Klanghaus (Sound House – 300-seat chamber music hall hosting operas, concerts, cabaret, and theatrical readings)
• Neuer Wall (shopping arcade)
• TUI Bar, Coffee Lounge, Diamant Bar, Abtanz Bar (nightclub), Rauchersalon (Cigar Lounge), Schau Bar (Show Bar), Champagner Treff (Champagne and wine bar), Überschau Bar (wellness drinks), Unverzicht Bar (pool bar), Eis Bar (Ice Bar)
• X-Bar, Hoheluft Bar, Ebbe und Flut Bier Bar (beer bar)
• Casino (20 seats, open during sea days)
• Grosse Freiheit (aft area with restaurants and a two-deck diamond-shaped glass façade)
• SPA Sauna Area (Finnish, Herbal, and Salt saunas, Tea Lounge)
• Himmel und Meer Lounge and X-Lounge (suite guests only)
• SPA und Meer (SPA and Sea complex with Rasul mud bath, Zen Garden, saunas, and beauty salon)
• Sport und Gesundheit (Fitness Center with personal training at surcharge)
• Aussenpool (Deck 12 outdoor area with 25 m Lagoon Pool, sundeck, Aussenalster Grill Bar)
• Innenpool (two-level indoor area with pool and whirlpool)
• Outdoor large LED movie screen
• Insel der Seeräuber (Pirates’ Island Kids Club)
• Nest (baby room, babysitting available at surcharge)
• Arena (outdoor sports court), Kursraum (spinning and fitness studio), jogging track
• Blauer Balkon (“Blue Balcony” glass-floor platform, 11 m²/37 m above sea level)
• Thalia Leselounge (reading lounge)

The Hexagonal Theater’s multifunctional stage is also used for special presentations and sporting events.

Casino Burlesque offers cabaret-style shows, live music, and pole dancing workshops. The new Small Theater is dedicated to arts and culture, hosting plays, stand-up comedy, readings, and lectures, with a bar lounge directly connected.

TUI Schiff Einkaufsbummel (onboard shopping)

TUI Schiff SPA und Sport

TUI Schiff Sonnenbereiche und Poolbereiche (sundeck and pool deck areas)

Itineraries

The TUI Mein Schiff Flow itinerary program begins with her Maiden Voyage on July 9, 2026 (previously scheduled for August 16, 2026). The inaugural season (July–September 2026) is based on homeporting in Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), offering 9-, 10-, and 11-night roundtrip cruises visiting ports in the Western Mediterranean (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal) and North Africa (Morocco).

In May 2025, TUI announced that Mein Schiff Flow would enter service earlier than originally planned, with the revised Maiden Voyage set for July 9, 2026. The updated program includes two 10-day Palma roundtrips (departing July 9 and August 6) and two additional 10-day cruises (departing July 19 and July 28).

On July 13, 2018, the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri received an order from TUI Group for the construction of two next-generation cruise ships powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). Each vessel has a gross tonnage of 161,000 GT, making them the largest and most technologically advanced ships in TUI’s fleet. The order was based on a Fincantieri prototype (Project XL-Schiff) designed to maximize energy efficiency by reducing fuel consumption and minimizing environmental impact in compliance with the latest IMO regulations. The contract was signed by Wybcke Meier (TUI Cruises CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri CEO).

As with the company’s previous shipbuilding projects, the TUI XL-Schiff project (comprising the two-ship InTUItion-Class series) was financed through approximately 80% debt financing and 20% equity investment from TUI’s own funds.

Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff 9 are the fleet’s largest vessels and TUI’s first ships powered by LNG and equipped with shore power connectivity. The extended hull design allows for greater passenger capacity, redesigned indoor areas, and additional facilities and attractions. Around 80% of TUI’s cruise guests are from Germany.

Construction of Mein Schiff 9 (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard number/hull 6313) officially began on June 22, 2022, with the steel-cutting ceremony held at the Monfalcone shipyard. The event was attended by Wybcke Meier (TUI Cruises CEO) and Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri Merchant Ship Division’s General Manager and Director of New Building Navi da Crociera).

The vessel was launched and floated out from drydock on May 30, 2025. The ceremony was attended by Daniele Fanara (Senior VP of New Building and After Sales at Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division), Cristiano Bazzara (Monfalcone Yard Director), and Wybcke Meier (TUI Cruises CEO).

Inaugural Itineraries (Canary Islands 2026)

The following tables list the ship’s inaugural themed voyages, all roundtrips from Palma de Mallorca, Majorca Island, Spain.

Maiden Voyage: 9-day “Kultur und Natur am Mittelmeer” itinerary (roundtrip)

9-day "Hohepunkte Des Westlichen Mittelmeers" itinerary

10-day "Metropolen Des Westlichen Mittelmeers" itinerary

11-day "Faszination Mittelmeer" itinerary

Godspeed!