TUI Cruises breaks naming convention for eighth cruise ship, Mein Schiff Relax

TUI Cruises has moved away from its traditional naming convention for its eighth cruise ship, revealing its name as Mein Schiff Relax rather than giving it a numbered name.

Mein Schiff Relax will be the cruise line’s largest cruise ship to date and the first in the InTUItion class, offering guests “an even more varied journey through high-quality worlds of enjoyment and relaxation” according to the cruise line.

“Communication on various platforms made it clear how important the name of this ship is for our guests. This ship is also something very special for us – it embodies the further development of everything that we have stood for almost ten years with the new ships in the Mein Schiff fleet,” said Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises. 

“That’s why we took our time and carefully considered the creation of the ship – along with all the great new opportunities for our guests,” he added. “It is now clear to TUI Cruises that the new addition to the fleet can only have one name: Mein Schiff Relax. This is exactly what the first ship in the InTUItion class symbolizes – a completely new feel-good experience.”

Mein Schiff Relax is set to offer the first cruises in the Mediterranean starting in March 2025.

TUI Cruises new ship will be the largest in the fleet to date at 161,000 gross tons, and will feature a number of new entertainment and social spaces, including a burlesque-style show lounge, hexagonal theater, and an intimate lecture theatre with adjoining bar.

TUI has previously revealed that the vessel will have the largest pool area in the fleet.

The ship’s top deck will feature a 25-metre pool, partially covered by a floating rooftop, under which several alfresco cafes and bars will be available to guests.

She is the first of two identical cruise ships for the Mein Schiff fleet, with ‘Mein Schiff 9’ (her working name) due in 2026.

TUI Cruises is Germany’s largest premium cruise line, competing directly with Phoenix Reisen and Hapag-Lloyd, but sets itself apart by offering a premium cruise experience with a lot of added-charge options included in the cruise fare (house wines and beer are served during dinner for example).

It is marketed almost exclusively to the German cruise market and as such all on-board products, food, amenities and entertainment are heavily German-influenced.

TUI Cruises homeports annually in Dubai during the winter cruise season in the Middle East between November and March, with Mein Schiff 2 set to sail a range of one-week roundtrip itineraries in the Arabian Gulf out of Dubai.