Mein Schiff Relax

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Mein Schiff Relax Construction.jpg
Mein Schiff Relax under construction in Monfalcone, Italy
History
NameMein Schiff Relax
OperatorTUI Cruises
Port of registry Valletta, Civil Ensign of Malta.svg  Malta
OrderedJuly 2018
BuilderFincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Yard number6312
LaunchedNovember 2023
AcquiredFebruary 2025 [1]
Maiden voyageMarch 2025
Identification9862657
Statusdelivered
General characteristics
Type Cruise ship
Tonnage160,000  GT
Length333 m (1,092 ft 6 in)
Beam42.1 m (138 ft 1 in)
Decks19
Speed22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Capacity3,984 passengers
Crew1,100

Mein Schiff Relax is an InTUItion-class ship being built for German cruise line TUI Cruises. The ship is the first in a new class for the cruise line, with a debut in March 2025. It is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. [2]

Contents

Design and construction

The ship was ordered by TUI Cruises in 2018 as the first of two new concept LNG-powered ships. At the time of the order, it was to be the largest cruise ship built in Italy. [3] The design was based on the Project Mille prototype platform developed by Fincantieri. [3] This new prototype is TUI Cruise's first new design since the Mein Schiff 3 debuted in 2014.

The ship was designed with energy efficiency in mind, with dual-fuel configuration, being able to operate on LNG or Marine Gas Oil, and has the ability to transition to alternatives including bio- or e-LNG when it becomes available in the market. [4] Mein Schiff Relax also features new catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine using residual heat from the diesel generators that ensures almost emission-free operations while in port , and a shore power connection for ports. [5]

The first steel was cut in June 2022, with the bow section being constructed at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea, Romania. [6] The section was later towed to Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard where the ship would be assembled and completed. In October 2023, it was announced that the ship would be named Mein Schiff Relax, a departure from TUI's numbering convention of their past ships. [7]

Mein Schiff Relax was floated out in November 2023 with honorary godmother Elena Sperti, an employee of the shipyard. [8] The ship embarked on its first sea trials in October 2024, traveling from Monfalcone to Palermo, where she was dry-docked before returning to the shipyard for completion. [9] The ship held the second sea trials in December. [10]

On February 7, 2025, the Mein Schiff Relax was officially delivered to TUI Cruises. [4] A handover ceremony was held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. [5] [11]

Service history

The Mein Schiff Relax is scheduled to debut in March 2025, with a series of Mediterranean cruises from Palma de Mallorca. It was announced that British singer Robbie Williams will be the feel-good ambassador of the Mein Schiff Relax. [12] A special christening ceremony will be held on April 9, 2025, in the port of Málaga, Spain, where the ship will be joined by Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 7. [13]

References

  1. "Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Relax in Monfalcone". 2025-02-07. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  2. "TUI Cruises goes bigger with a pair of LNG newbuilds at Fincantieri". Seatrade Cruise News.
  3. 1 2 "Fincantieri: Construction of New Class of Ultra-Eco-Friendly Ships for Tui Cruises Begins". Fincantieri. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  4. 1 2 "Fincantieri Hands Over Innovative LNG Cruise Ship to Germany's TUI Cruises". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  5. 1 2 "Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Relax in Monfalcone - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  6. "First Steel Cut for TUI Cruises' LNG-powered Cruise Ship". MarineLink. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  7. "TUI Cruises' Eighth Newbuild Named Mein Schiff Relax". Cruise Industry News.
  8. "Mein Schiff Relax launched in Monfalcone". Shippax. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  9. Klostermann, Jan (2024-10-08). "Mein Schiff Relax fährt erstmals aus eigener Kraft – Sea Trial auf dem Mittelmeer". Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten (in German).
  10. https://www.meinschiff.com/presse/archiv/lng-sea-trial-der-mein-schiff-relax-erfolgreich-beendet-weitere-testfahrt-des-ersten-neubaus-der-intuition-klasse-im-mittelmeer
  11. Editorial (2025-02-08). "Fincantieri Delivers "Mein Schiff Relax," A Dual-Fuel Milestone for TUI Cruises". InTrieste. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
  12. "TUI Names Robbie Williams Feel-Good Ambassador for Mein Schiff Relax". Cruise Industry News.
  13. "Christening of the Mein Schiff Relax". TUI Cruises.