Mein Schiff Relax

The 2025-built TUI Mein Schiff Relax cruise ship (also known as TUI Schiff 8) was constructed in Italy and has as her sistership Schiff Flow (2026). Both belong to the new InTUItion-Class (originally the “TUI XL-Schiff” series).

The vessel (IMO number 9862657) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 249129000) and registered in Valletta. Interestingly, during construction, she was Italy-flagged (MMSI 247500500).

Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the start of construction and delivery of Schiff 8 were delayed—from the original schedule in 2024-Q3 (July–September) to 2024-Q4 (December).

TUI’s two newbuilds (Schiff 8/Relax and Schiff 9/Flow) were ordered in July 2018, with construction beginning in June 2022. Unlike TUI’s previous vessels built by Meyer Turku (Finland), both new ships were built by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone Shipyard near Trieste, Italy. They are TUI’s first LNG-powered vessels and the fleet’s largest by design (160,000 GT) and passenger 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 (a British-German travel and tourism corporation) and the Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), formerly Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), a U.S.-based passenger shipping company.

TUI launched its cruise operations in 2009, targeting primarily the German-speaking market with a premium vacation product. German and English are the main onboard languages across all TUI ships. TUI’s sister brands include Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Mein Schiff Relax has 19 decks and accommodates up to 4,000 passengers. Approximately 90% of all cabins are outside, and about 80% feature step-out balconies.

Compared to Schiff 1, Schiff 8 features enhanced technology and amenities, offering greater energy efficiency. The vessel is equipped with an advanced exhaust gas cleaning system that reduces SOx emissions by nearly 99% and NOx by 75%. Additional highlights include an Aqua Park with water slides and an Activity Deck with a rope course.

Decks and Cabins

Over 80% of TUI Schiff Relax staterooms (2,050 total) are oceanview. All suites and family cabins are equipped with Xbox 360 gaming consoles. The largest accommodations are the two-deck Himmel-Meer Suites with rooftop terraces. Family travelers can enjoy the Verandah Deluxe category, while Spa Balcony cabins offer exclusive access to the onboard spa facilities.

Mein Schiff Relax is TUI’s first ship to offer balcony cabins for solo travelers. Each Solo Balcony cabin (11 m² / 120 ft²) is located forward, with the bed facing the sea for a direct ocean view.

With Schiff Relax, TUI also introduced two new suite categories: the Great Freedom Suite (Große Freiheit Suite) and the Vision Suite (Weitblick Suite). The Great Freedom Suite is a two-level duplex (88 m² / 950 ft²) accommodating up to six guests, with two bedrooms, two large terraces, and two bathrooms (the upper bathroom includes an infrared sauna). The Weitblick Suite accommodates up to four guests and measures 43 m² (460 ft²).

All cabins feature standard amenities including twin beds (convertible to a double), bedside cabinets with reading lamps, sofa bed or Pullman beds, smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment with on-demand movies and ship information), direct-dial phone, wardrobe, electronic safe, minibar, Nespresso machine (two capsules daily), water carafe and glasses, mirrored dressing/writing table with chair, and a private bathroom (toilet, shower, vanity sink, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, and luxury toiletries). Each stateroom also has individually controlled air conditioning and 24-hour room service.

The ship has 19 decks, including 18 passenger-accessible decks and 10 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Compared to earlier TUI ships, Schiff 8 features expanded outdoor spaces with interconnected decks and an iconic midship open-air roof structure designed by 3deluxe, a design studio based in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The redesigned outdoor area includes a 25 m (80 ft) resort-style swimming pool, a large sundeck with sun loungers and shaded seating, and a jogging track. At the stern, an aft-facing infinity pool with a glass wall overlooks the sea, surrounded by a terraced sundeck.

Mein Schiff Relax has a single two-level Main Dining Room (MDR) located aft, replacing the “Atlantic” and “Mediterranean” restaurants on earlier vessels. The restaurant offers full table service and complimentary dining for all passengers.

Specialty dining venues (surcharge or à la carte) include the Alpine Restaurant, the Steakhouse (Scandinavian-inspired design), and a Japanese restaurant. The Asian restaurant Fugu is curated by celebrity chef Tim Raue.

Exclusive areas include the Suite Sundeck, featuring daybeds, a fountain, and an outdoor whirlpool, serviced by a dedicated Suite Bar offering premium beverages and Champagne by the glass. Suite-only dining venues include a large indoor/outdoor restaurant and a yacht club-style restaurant. The expanded X-Lounge now includes an outdoor seating area.

The ship’s numerous bars and lounges include a new Greek-style outdoor bar (Osteria), a roof-covered poolside Ice Bar serving drinks and snacks, an urban bar (industrial décor with graffiti art), and a bow-facing bar featuring a two-deck-high glass wall.

The main onboard language is German. TUI’s fares are all-inclusive, covering nearly all food, beverages, and gratuities.

Onboard facilities by deck

Deck 2 (Anker/Anchor): Tender access area (midship-starboard)

Deck 3 (Welle/Wave): Theater (lower level), Infirmary (Bordhospital), Reception (Rezeption), Tour Office (Bordreiseleitung), Reading Lounge (Leselounge)

Deck 4 (Atlantik/Atlantic): Theater (mid-level), New Wall shopping arcade (Neuer Wall – Einkaufspassagen), Shore Excursions, Golf & Biking (Landausflüge), Studio (Atelier), My Travel World (Meine Reisewelt)

Deck 5 (Pier): Theater (upper level), Casino & Lounge

Deck 7 (Seestern/Starfish): X-Lounge

Deck 15 (Perle/Pearl): Wellness complex with Spa & Meer and Sauna

Deck 16 (Horizont/Horizon): Osteria (Pizza & Pasta), X-Bar, Towels & Blankets Station

Deck 17 (Aqua): Arena Sports Complex, Nest (Baby Room), Pirates’ Island (Kids Club), Sports & Health (Sport & Gesundheit), Water Playground, Ice Bar, Outdoor Pool, Towels & Blankets Station

Deck 18 (Düne/Dune): Course Room (Kursraum), Jogging Track

Deck 19 (Brise/Breeze): Mistral Deck (Sundeck) with Barrel Sauna (Fass-Sauna) and Mistral Bar

Deck 20 (Möwe/Seagull): Navigation equipment (antennas, radars, etc.)

Passenger cabins are located on Decks 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15. The navigation bridge (wheelhouse) is located forward on Deck 14.

The evening entertainment program (in the Hexagonal Theater) includes musicals, variety shows, operas, and acrobatic performances, enhanced by dynamic LED screens and a revolving stage.

Entertainment and Leisure Venues

• Hexagonal Theater (1,000-seat main show lounge with revolving stage and LED screens)
• Casino Burlesque (cabaret-style lounge and bar)
• Sturmfrei (Teens Lounge with gaming consoles, dance floor, karaoke, movies, and parties)
• The Playground (Internet corner and gaming area; complimentary Wi-Fi for suite guests)
• Atelier (art workshop/studio)
• Klanghaus (Sound House – 300-seat concert hall for classical, jazz, and cabaret performances)
• Neuer Wall (shopping arcade)
• Bars: TUI Bar, Coffee Lounge, Diamant Bar, Abtanz Bar (nightclub), Rauchersalon (Cigar Room), Schau Bar (Show Bar), Champagner Treff (wine bar), Überschau Bar (wellness drinks), Unverzicht Bar (poolside), Eis Bar, X-Bar, Hoheluft Bar, Ebbe und Flut Bier Bar
• Casino (open during sea days)
• Grosse Freiheit (aft dining complex with restaurants and a diamond-shaped façade)
• Spa & Sauna Area (Finnish, Herbal, and Salt saunas, plus Tea Lounge)
• Himmel und Meer Lounge and X-Lounge (suite guests only)
• Spa & Meer (with Rasul Room, Zen Garden, treatment rooms, and beauty salon)
• Sport und Gesundheit (Fitness Center with personal trainers and classes)
• Outdoor Pool Area (Deck 12, with 25 m pool and sunbathing zone)
• Indoor Pool (two-level pool area with whirlpool)
• Outdoor LED Movie Screen
• Insel der Seeräuber (Pirates’ Island Kids Club)
• Nest (baby room, babysitting available at surcharge)
• Arena (sports court), Course Room (spinning and fitness classes), Jogging Track
• Blauer Balkon (“Blue Balcony” glass-floor platforms 37 m / 120 ft above sea level)
• Thalia Reading Lounge

The wellness complex features a Cold Chamber (-110°C / -166°F, 3-minute sessions), an outdoor Barrel Sauna extending beyond the superstructure, and a Spa Lounge relaxation area. The top-deck activity zone offers yoga, meditation, and gymnastics with soft flooring and comfortable loungers.

The Hexagonal Theater’s revolving stage is multifunctional, even accommodating aerial acrobatics. The Casino Burlesque (styled after 1920s New York) offers cabaret shows, pole-dance workshops, and live piano and jazz performances. The Small Theater hosts intimate performances, readings, stand-up comedy, and lectures.

Itineraries

TUI Mein Schiff Relax’s inaugural voyage is scheduled for March 16, 2025. The ship’s maiden season will be based in the Mediterranean, homeporting in Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain).

All itineraries are roundtrips from Palma and include themed voyages such as “Bella Italia & Spanische Fiesta” (Beautiful Italy & Spanish Fiesta), “La Dolce Vita” (Sweet Life), “Kultur und Natur am Mittelmeer” (Culture & Nature on the Mediterranean), and “Sonniges Iberien und Marokko” (Sunny Iberia & Morocco).

Inaugural Cruises (roundtrips from Palma):

• 7-night “Bella Italia & Spanische Fiesta” – EUR 850 (EUR 1,230 with flight); visiting Civitavecchia-Rome, La Spezia, Barcelona, Valencia
• 7-night “La Dolce Vita” – EUR 950 (EUR 1,380 with flight); visiting Civitavecchia-Rome, Naples, Palermo (Sicily), Cagliari (Sardinia)
• 9-night “Kultur und Natur am Mittelmeer” – EUR 1,020 (EUR 1,425 with flight); visiting Civitavecchia-Rome, La Spezia, Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia
• 10-night “Sonniges Iberien und Marokko” – EUR 1,250 (EUR 1,680 with flight); overnight in Palma, then visiting Malaga, Cadiz-Seville, Lisbon, Tangier, and Valencia

Note: Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

On July 13, 2018, the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri received an order from TUI Group for the construction of two next-generation, LNG-powered cruise ships. With a volume of 161,000 GT, these vessels are the largest and most technologically advanced in TUI’s fleet. The order, based on Fincantieri’s Project XL-Schiff prototype, focuses on fuel efficiency and minimizing environmental impact in line with IMO’s latest regulations. The contract was signed by Wybcke Meier (TUI’s CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri’s CEO).

As with previous TUI shipbuilding orders, the XL-Schiff project (comprising two InTUItion-Class ships) was financed with approximately 80% debt funding and 20% through TUI’s own investment capital.

Mein Schiff Flow and Schiff Relax are the fleet’s largest vessels and the first TUI ships to be powered by LNG and equipped with shore power connectivity. Their extended length allows for increased passenger capacity, redesigned interior spaces, and new onboard facilities and attractions.

Approximately 80% of TUI Cruises’ guests are German travelers.

The construction of Mein Schiff Relax (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard number/hull 6312) officially began on June 22, 2022, with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Monfalcone shipyard attended by Wybcke Meier (TUI’s CEO) and Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri’s Merchant Ship Division General Manager and Director of Newbuilding Cruise Ships).

Until October 2023, the vessel was promoted under the name “Mein Schiff 8.” On October 17, 2023, Wybcke Meier officially revealed the ship’s final name—Mein Schiff Relax—and announced the renaming of the vessel class from “XL-Schiff” to “InTUItion.”

Mein Schiff Relax was launched (floated out from drydock) at Fincantieri Monfalcone on November 28, 2023. The ceremony’s godmother was Elena Sperti, the shipyard’s Deputy Head of Outfitting Workshop.

In December 2023, Fincantieri secured a US$461 million “green” construction loan from two Turin-based banks—Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (founded in 2007 and Italy’s largest banking group) and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA (a development bank founded in 1850). The financing supports Mein Schiff Relax’s construction and qualifies as “green” under the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, aligning with the EU’s climate change mitigation goals.

Fincantieri Monfalcone officially delivered Mein Schiff Relax to TUI Cruises on February 7, 2025. The delivery ceremony was attended by VIP guests including Luca Ciriani (Italian politician, b. 1967), Biagio Mazzotta (Fincantieri’s Chairman of the Board), Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri’s CEO and Managing Director), Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri’s Merchant Ship Division GM), Wybcke Meier (TUI’s CEO), Frank Kuhlmann (TUI’s CFO), and Captain Tom Roth (the vessel’s Master).

Captain Tom Roth served as the ship’s first Master, commanding her delivery voyage to Malaga for the naming ceremony. During the inaugural Mediterranean season, command was transferred to Captain Todd Burgman, a TUI captain since 2014.

In February 2025, TUI announced that the ship’s godmother would be Giuliana Rizzo, who has been with TUI since 2014 and served as the company’s Spa & Sport Manager since 2019.

The christening ceremony took place on April 9, 2025, at Port Malaga (Spain). Passengers from three TUI ships—Mein Schiff 5, Mein Schiff 7, and Mein Schiff Relax—attended the event. The ceremony featured live performances by Robbie Williams (born 1974), the ship’s Wellness Ambassador.