Mein Schiff 1

The Mein Schiff 1 that entered service in 2018 is a newer and larger ship than the original vessel of that name, and its history is bound up in TUI Cruises' distinctive habit of recycling fleet names. The first Mein Schiff and Mein Schiff 2 were converted older hulls that were later sold to Marella Cruises, the British sister brand within the Royal Caribbean Group orbit, freeing their names for reuse. The 2018 Mein Schiff 1 is therefore an entirely different ship, the lead vessel of TUI Cruises' second, enlarged newbuild generation, built by Meyer Turku in Finland at a reported cost of around US$625 million.

Stretched and enlarged over the earlier quartet, she measures roughly 111,500 GT and about 315 metres in length across fifteen decks, carrying around 2,900 guests at double occupancy. The larger hull allowed an expanded all-inclusive product, with more dining venues, a bigger spa and sports complex, and refined versions of the brand's signature spaces, including the glass Diamant lounge at the stern. The design retained the light, informal character that had defined the line while adding scale and variety.

The ship was christened by German beach volleyball champions Kira Walkenhorst and Laura Ludwig, who had together won Olympic gold at Rio in 2016, serving jointly as godmothers. Registered in Valletta, Malta, she flies the Maltese flag and carries the call sign 9HA4683.

Mein Schiff 1 has operated seasonal programmes across the western Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean, often working from Palma de Mallorca. She remains a core ship of the TUI Cruises fleet and the template for the enlarged generation that followed.