TUI Cruises: Mein Schiff fleet and history

TUI Cruises is a German cruise company operating the premium Mein Schiff fleet and the separate Hapag-Lloyd Cruises luxury and expedition brand. The Hamburg-based business is owned equally by TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group.

The Mein Schiff brand operates nine ships designed primarily for the German-speaking market. Its product combines contemporary resort facilities, a relaxed onboard atmosphere and a broad package of food, drinks, entertainment, wellness facilities and gratuities included in the cruise fare.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has formed a second operating division within TUI Cruises since 2020. Its five ships retain their own identity, booking system and luxury or expedition positioning and are not marketed as part of the Mein Schiff fleet.

History of TUI Cruises

TUI Cruises was established in April 2008 as a 50:50 joint venture between European tourism group TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., now known as Royal Caribbean Group.

The partners combined TUI's brand recognition and distribution strength in German-speaking markets with Royal Caribbean's cruise operations, shipbuilding knowledge and technical expertise.

The first Mein Schiff entered service in May 2009. The former Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Galaxy was extensively refurbished for the German market and introduced the brand's relaxed premium concept.

A second converted Celebrity vessel followed in 2011 as Mein Schiff 2. Both original ships were later replaced by newer tonnage and transferred to TUI Group's UK cruise company, Marella Cruises. The first became Marella Explorer, while the second sailed as Mein Schiff Herz before becoming Marella Voyager in 2023.

TUI Cruises began receiving purpose-built ships with Mein Schiff 3 in 2014. Five further vessels based on related designs followed between 2015 and 2024, allowing the company to retire or transfer its converted early ships while substantially increasing capacity.

The fleet entered another stage of development with the larger InTUItion class. Mein Schiff Relax joined in 2025 and sister ship Mein Schiff Flow entered service in 2026.

Current Mein Schiff fleet

TUI Cruises currently operates nine vessels under the Mein Schiff brand.

Mein Schiff 1 — entered service in 2018 and accommodates approximately 2,894 passengers.
Mein Schiff 2 — entered service in 2019 and accommodates approximately 2,894 passengers.
Mein Schiff 3 — entered service in 2014 as the company's first purpose-built new ship and accommodates approximately 2,506 passengers.
Mein Schiff 4 — entered service in 2015 and accommodates approximately 2,506 passengers.
Mein Schiff 5 — entered service in 2016 and accommodates approximately 2,534 passengers.
Mein Schiff 6 — entered service in 2017 and accommodates approximately 2,534 passengers.
Mein Schiff 7 — entered service in 2024 and accommodates approximately 2,896 passengers.
Mein Schiff Relax — the first InTUItion-class ship, christened in Málaga on 9 April 2025 and accommodating up to approximately 3,984 passengers.
Mein Schiff Flow — the second InTUItion-class ship, christened in June 2026 and accommodating up to approximately 3,984 passengers.

Published passenger capacities can vary according to whether they represent double occupancy or the maximum number of berths. Guests comparing ships should also examine the individual deck plan because restaurants, suite areas, family facilities and public spaces differ between generations.

Mein Schiff 1 to Mein Schiff 7

Mein Schiff 3 to Mein Schiff 6 were constructed by Meyer Turku in Finland and established the basic layout of the modern fleet. They combine a central atrium, theatre, multiple restaurants, extensive spa facilities and large outdoor decks.

The current Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 are enlarged developments of that design. They feature additional passenger capacity, a longer hull and redesigned sports, wellness and suite areas.

Mein Schiff 7 is closely related to Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 but introduced further changes, including single cabins and preparation for the future use of green methanol. It was christened in Kiel on 22 June 2024.

Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow

Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow form the new InTUItion class built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone in Italy. At around 160,000gt, they are substantially larger than the earlier Mein Schiff vessels.

Each ship accommodates up to approximately 3,984 passengers and offers 14 restaurants and bistros together with 17 bars and lounges. The class introduced a larger range of accommodation, new outdoor areas, additional speciality dining and entertainment venues and an expanded suite enclave.

The ships use dual-fuel engines capable of operating on liquefied natural gas. They are technically able to use bio-LNG and, when it becomes available at scale, synthetic e-LNG. Both ships also have shore-power connections and systems designed to reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions.

Mein Schiff Relax received its first ship-to-ship supply of bio-LNG in Barcelona in July 2025. TUI Cruises says the renewable fuel can provide a substantial lifecycle reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions depending on its source.

Deck7 examines TUI Cruises' shipbuilder and wider orderbook in Fincantieri cruise ships: history, shipyards and current orderbook.

Future TUI Cruises ships

TUI Cruises has contracted Fincantieri to build two further vessels using shipyard slots originally associated with a proposed Marella Cruises renewal programme.

The ships are expected to be delivered in TUI Group's 2031 and 2033 financial years. TUI has said the new vessels will be larger and better suited to TUI Cruises' fleet requirements than the ships previously considered for Marella.

Names, detailed specifications and the precise design class have not yet been publicly confirmed. They should therefore be treated as future TUI Cruises newbuilds rather than automatically described as further InTUItion-class ships.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises became part of the TUI Cruises joint venture in July 2020. TUI AG transferred the business into the partnership in a transaction that valued it at €1.2 billion.

The brand continues to operate independently within TUI Cruises and has a five-ship fleet:

Europa — a luxury cruise ship introduced in 1999.
Europa 2 — a luxury cruise ship introduced in 2013.
Hanseatic Nature — an expedition ship introduced in 2019.
Hanseatic Inspiration — an expedition ship introduced in 2019.
Hanseatic Spirit — an expedition ship introduced in 2021.

The two Europa vessels serve the luxury cruise market, while the three Hanseatic-class ships undertake expedition voyages including polar and remote-region itineraries. From 2026, German and English are used as onboard languages across all five vessels.

Combining the nine Mein Schiff ships with the five Hapag-Lloyd Cruises vessels gives TUI Cruises GmbH responsibility for 14 operating cruise ships. This total should not be confused with the nine-ship Mein Schiff fleet or TUI Group's separately owned Marella Cruises business.

Destinations and itineraries

Mein Schiff itineraries are designed primarily for travellers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Many cruises are sold with optional or packaged flights and transfers through TUI's wider tourism network.

Programmes include the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Northern Europe, Baltic, British Isles, Caribbean, North America, Central America, the Middle East, Asia and southern Africa. German homeports include Hamburg, Kiel and Bremerhaven, while seasonal embarkation ports include Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas, Antalya, Dubai and ports in the Caribbean and Asia.

The fleet offers conventional seven-night cruises, short breaks, repositioning voyages and longer combinations. Some winter programmes position ships in warm-weather regions while others retain departures from northern Germany.

Shore excursions are generally charged separately. Availability of German-language guiding can differ between destinations, and guests should check the individual excursion description before booking.

Premium inclusive concept

The Mein Schiff Premium-Inklusivleistungen package is central to the brand's positioning. It applies across the principal fare types and includes a broad choice of restaurants and more than 100 branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Included venues normally comprise buffet and waiter-service restaurants, cafés, snacks and selected bars, although each ship also has speciality restaurants, premium drinks and other services available for an additional charge.

Service charges and onboard gratuities are included in the fare. Cabin service is provided twice daily, and the package also covers entertainment, access to the fitness centre, many exercise classes and use of the principal sauna facilities.

Internet allowances, shore-excursion discounts, booking flexibility and other benefits depend on whether the reservation uses the VIP PRO, PRO, PLUS or PUR fare. Guests should therefore distinguish the fleetwide inclusive package from the additional conditions attached to their selected fare.

Dining and drinks

Dining is adapted to German-speaking guests while including international and regional cuisine. The Atlantik restaurants provide waiter-service menus without fixed seating times, while Anckelmannsplatz is the principal buffet restaurant on much of the fleet.

Other venues can include bakery, bistro, grill, Italian, Asian and seafood concepts. The selection varies substantially between the earlier ships and the InTUItion class.

More than 100 branded drinks are included at applicable bars and restaurants. Premium wines, champagnes, speciality spirits and selected venues carry additional charges.

The combination of included waiter-service dining, drinks and gratuities gives Mein Schiff a more inclusive base fare than many mainstream European cruise products, although it is not an entirely all-inclusive holiday.

Onboard experience

Mein Schiff is a family-friendly premium brand rather than an adults-only cruise line. Ships provide children's clubs, family activities and programmes for teenagers, with facilities varying by vessel.

The product places a strong emphasis on space, wellness and outdoor areas. Typical facilities include pools, running tracks, fitness centres, large saunas, spa treatment rooms, theatres, live-music venues and quiet lounges.

Most announcements, entertainment and written material are in German. International crew members may speak English, but travellers should expect German to be the principal guest language.

Dress is generally relaxed, and the ships do not rely on formal gala nights or fixed dining sittings. Entertainment ranges from theatre productions and concerts to comedy, lectures, workshops, sport and themed voyages.

Sustainability and ship technology

TUI Cruises aims to achieve climate-neutral operations by 2050. Its strategy includes alternative fuels, shore power, energy efficiency, route planning and changes to onboard materials and waste management.

The InTUItion ships use LNG-capable dual-fuel engines and can operate on bio-LNG without technical modification. Mein Schiff 7 is prepared for future green-methanol operation, while most ships operated by TUI Cruises are equipped with shore-power connections.

LNG can reduce some air pollutants compared with conventional marine fuels but remains a fossil fuel when supplied as conventional natural gas. The overall climate effect also depends on methane leakage across production, supply and shipboard use. Bio-LNG and synthetic fuels may reduce lifecycle emissions when produced sustainably and used at sufficient scale.

Ownership and leadership

TUI Cruises GmbH is a 50:50 joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group. It is not a wholly owned subsidiary of either shareholder.

TUI contributes tourism distribution, the Mein Schiff brand and expertise in German-speaking markets. Royal Caribbean contributes shipbuilding, maritime operations, digital systems and international cruise experience.

Wybcke Meier is chief executive officer of TUI Cruises. The company's shoreside workforce is centred in Hamburg, with additional staff in Berlin and shipboard teams serving both the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operations.

Marella Cruises is part of TUI Group but is not operated through the TUI Cruises joint venture. It should therefore be treated as a related TUI company rather than another TUI Cruises brand.

TUI Cruises