TUI Cruises Take Delivery Of Its First LNG Powered Cruise Ship From Fincantieri

Germany-based TUI Cruises, a joint venture between the TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Cruises took the delivery on Feb 7, 2025, of the first of the two LNG dual-fuel cruise ships built by Fincantieri.

The ship named Mein Schiff Relax, with a gross tonnage of 161,000, is the biggest for the German brand and the first ship in the company which can operate on LNG. It can also operate on Marine Gas Oil and also bio or e-LNG once those options are available in future.

In 2024, TUI announced its first methanol-ready cruise ship, Mein Schiff 7, constructed at Meyer Turku.

Fincantieri got the order for the 2 ships in 2018 and the steel-cutting for the first vessel was in June 2022. The cruise ship was floated out from the Italian shipyard in Monfalcone in 2023 and began sea trials last October. In December, it began trials operating on LNG.

Mein Schiff Relax is the second ship delivered by Fincantieri powered by LNG.

Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises said that the company took delivery of their first newly built vessel 11 years ago and now with Mein Schiff Relax, they are opening a new chapter in the direction of premium cruises.

The cruise ship is 326 m long and has 1945 passenger cabins, with accommodations for 3984 guests and 1535 crew members.

It is the biggest ship of the company’s fleet and has innovative technologies for relaxation, 14 restaurants, a refined spa and wellness areas. It also has the cruise line’s first 2-deck freedom suites and balcony cabins for solo travellers.

Apart from the dual-fuel configuration, Mein Schiff Relax has new catalytic converters which meet Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine which uses residual heat from diesel generators and a shore power connection as well. It also boasts an effective waste treatment system.

The ship will enter service in March and will sail around the Canary Islands, moving to Germany in 2026. A unique ceremony for christening the vessel is being planned by TUI on April 9 in Malaga.

The ship will meet its fleet mates Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 7 and apart from a celebrity performance, there will be a grand dinner and cocktail aboard each ship and special culinary dishes from the restaurants which will be served on all three vessels.

References: Gas Processing & LNG, Full Avante News

Source: Maritime Shipping News