Mein Schiff Relax 2026: Glamorous Maiden Calls in Hamburg & Kiel

Von Kreuzfahrt - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
The new "Mein Schiff Relax," the lead ship of TUI Cruises' modern InTUItion class, celebrated its historic maiden calls in Germany in May 2026. First, the 333-meter ocean liner docked at the Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder on May 14th. Just three days later, on May 17th, its highly anticipated premiere followed at the Ostseekai in Kiel. Guests standing at the railing on either the starboard or port side during the departure were treated to stunning panoramic views and water fountain salutes from escorting ships.

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Technologically, the newly built vessel sets new standards for a more environmentally friendly vacation at sea for its approximately 4,000 passengers. Modern dual-fuel engines allow operation with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and, in the future, even with Bio-LNG or green methanol, drastically reducing emissions. Thanks to flexible pod propulsion systems, the ship can be maneuvered with pinpoint accuracy. Furthermore, the "Mein Schiff Relax" consistently utilizes shore power facilities in ports like Kiel to shut down its engines completely while docked.

The cruise line found a clever solution for repositioning the ship between Hamburg and Kiel. Instead of a simple transfer trip, the passage was marketed as the high-profile event cruise "Stars del Mar." Top acts like Fury in the Slaughterhouse and the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience were on board. The journey, which included a short stopover in Copenhagen, secured excellent occupancy rates for TUI Cruises and transformed the vessel into a premium maritime festival. Immediately afterward, the regular Baltic Sea season started from Kiel on May 17th. Due to the current geopolitical situation, the route has been adjusted: instead of St. Petersburg, exciting capitals such as Tallinn, Helsinki, and Riga are now on the itinerary with exceptionally long port stays. Meanwhile, the fleet continues to grow cheerfully: the sister ship "Mein Schiff Flow" will follow as early as June 2026 and will even be deployed year-round in Northern Europe starting in October to meet the high demand for winter city breaks.