Mein Schiff Flow 2026: Crew Recruitment for New TUI Build Begins

The ninth ship in the fleet, representing the second unit of the modern InTUItion class following the Mein Schiff Relax, is currently being completed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. However, before the first guests can embark on the maiden voyage from Palma de Mallorca on July 9, 2026, a team of around 1,500 professionals must be recruited and trained.

Those signing on now should not expect a gleaming cruise ship just yet, but rather an industrial working environment. The so-called "Start-Up Crew" forms the backbone of the commissioning process. In the coming months, these specialists will be working on a major construction site. Noise, dust, and makeshift infrastructure are part of everyday life, while millions of individual items—from teaspoons to high-tech equipment—must be brought on board, inventoried, and stowed away.

The technical department faces particular challenges. Since the Mein Schiff Flow features an advanced dual-fuel propulsion system primarily powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), specific qualifications (IGF Code certification) are mandatory here. In the hotel sector (Housekeeping, F&B) as well, crew management partner sea chefs is specifically looking for personnel who are not only professionally top-notch but also possess the necessary resilience for the stressful construction phase.

Regarding ship command, TUI Cruises is relying on continuity and experience. Captain Jan Rautawaara will take the helm. The Finnish native knows the fleet inside out and has already served on the structurally identical sister ship, Mein Schiff Relax. His knowledge of the new maneuvering characteristics and the complex technology of the InTUItion class is a decisive factor in safely transferring the ship from the shipyard to regular service.

The name says it all: The Mein Schiff Flow is designed to stand for deceleration and intuitive processes. This also places new demands on service. Beyond standard procedures, staff are being intensively trained to create an atmosphere of lightness. This applies in particular to the new dining concepts, such as the Asian restaurant "Fugu," the Greek "Taverna Dionysos," or the "Barista Bar."

With approximately 160,000 GT (Gross Tonnage) and capacity for nearly 4,000 passengers, the Mein Schiff Flow is a gigantic project. When the first guests step on board in the summer of 2026, no trace of the current construction site atmosphere will remain—thanks to the crew starting their service now.