Mein Schiff 3
Mein Schiff 3 is a cruise ship owned by TUI Cruises and the first purpose-built new vessel commissioned for the German cruise line.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Mein Schiff 3 is a large cruise ship operated by TUI Cruises, a German cruise company associated with the TUI Group. The vessel was the first custom-built new ship ordered specifically for TUI Cruises, marking a significant step beyond the company's earlier use of acquired and converted tonnage. Built at the STX Finland shipyard in Turku, the approximately 97,000-gross-ton ship is nearly 300 metres long and was designed to combine resort-style accommodation, multiple restaurants and lounges, entertainment facilities, pools, and outdoor recreation areas with the relaxed, German-language positioning of the Mein Schiff fleet. TUI Cruises placed the construction order on 27 September 2011, with delivery planned for 2014. The project was developed during a period of severe financial pressure for STX Finland and its South Korean parent, STX Offshore & Shipbuilding. Funding and the shipyard's future became uncertain after STX Finland failed to secure a major shipbuilding contract and faced liquidity problems. The situation was partly stabilized through Finnish government and municipal support, participation by the South Korean parent company, more flexible payment arrangements agreed with TUI Cruises, and the sale of STX Finland's stake in Aker Arctic Technology. The ship was laid down on 12 December 2012 as Newbuilding 1383 and launched on 8 November 2013. Mein Schiff 3 was technically and commercially important for TUI Cruises because it established the design language and operating model for a new generation of vessels. The company presented the ship as incorporating technologies intended to improve fuel efficiency and environmental performance. Its interiors were developed by several design practices, including CM Design, Wilson Butler Architects, Tihany Design, and Tillberg Design of Sweden. Notable spaces include the Große Freiheit lounge and restaurant enclosed by a faceted glass structure, a main theatre, a concert hall described as the first of its type at sea, and a 25-metre pool. The aft open-deck arrangement also includes a covered pool. The ship underwent additional work before entering service. A stern thruster was installed at Navantia in Cádiz in April 2014, with the work completed during a nine-day dry-dock period and final commissioning completed while the vessel was operating. TUI Cruises formally accepted the ship on 22 May 2014. Mein Schiff 3 began its maiden voyage from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca on 13 June 2014 and initially operated Mediterranean itineraries. The vessel became the lead ship of a closely related series. Mein Schiff 4 followed in 2015, while Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 were delivered in 2016 and 2017 with modifications to the basic design. TUI Cruises also confirmed orders for Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 in 2015, expanding the fleet around the Mein Schiff concept. Mein Schiff 3 has also been associated with notable port calls and an operational incident. On 28 January 2018, it became the first cruise ship reported to visit Dominica after Hurricane Maria. On 26 June 2018, strong winds while the ship was docked at Honningsvåg caused it to break its moorings and strike the dock, resulting in damage. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of the repairs, financial impact, or any regulatory findings connected with that incident.
History
Mein Schiff 3 was conceived as a major fleet-development project for TUI Cruises. On 27 September 2011, the company ordered a new approximately 97,000-gross-ton cruise ship from STX Finland's Turku shipyard. The vessel was planned to be nearly 300 metres long and was intended to establish a new platform for the cruise line rather than simply extend its fleet through second-hand acquisitions. The contract reportedly included an option for a second ship of the same basic design. The construction project unfolded amid substantial financial difficulties at STX Finland. The shipyard was pursuing other major work while its South Korean parent company faced liquidity pressure. Funding for the TUI Cruises vessels became uncertain after the shipyard failed to obtain emergency support connected with a separate large cruise-ship bid. The first vessel was nevertheless laid down on 12 December 2012 as Newbuilding 1383. During early 2013, the project and the shipyard were supported by a combination of Finnish innovation aid, the City of Turku's purchase of the shipyard land, participation by STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, and more flexible payment terms agreed with TUI Cruises. Further uncertainty remained until the shipyard's financial position was improved through the sale of its interest in Aker Arctic Technology in December 2013. Mein Schiff 3 was launched on 8 November 2013. Before delivery, the vessel underwent an additional stern-thruster installation at Navantia in Cádiz, Spain. The work took place in dry dock between 16 and 28 April 2014, with finalization during operational navigation. The ship completed its first and, according to the cited material, only sea trial on 22 April 2014. TUI Cruises took delivery on 22 May 2014. The vessel's design was developed by several specialist firms. CM Design, which had previously worked on TUI Hotels, contributed to the interiors. Wilson Butler Architects designed the open decks, main theatre, and concert hall. Tihany Design worked on the aft area and the faceted glass enclosure around the Große Freiheit lounge and restaurant, while Tillberg Design of Sweden was also involved. The ship's public spaces were designed around a resort-like passenger experience, including a long 25-metre pool, a covered pool, restaurants, lounges, and entertainment areas. TUI Cruises also presented the new ships as incorporating technologies intended to improve fuel efficiency and environmental performance. Mein Schiff 3 entered passenger service with a maiden voyage from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca on 13 June 2014. Its initial deployment was in the Mediterranean. The ship became the lead vessel of a closely related sequence: Mein Schiff 4 entered service in 2015, followed by Mein Schiff 5 in 2016 and Mein Schiff 6 in 2017. The later ships retained the core concept while incorporating modifications. In July 2015, TUI Cruises also confirmed Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, with deliveries planned for 2018 and 2019, demonstrating the importance of the platform to the company's fleet expansion. During its service history, Mein Schiff 3 made a notable humanitarian and tourism-related port call in Dominica on 28 January 2018, reportedly becoming the first cruise ship to visit the island after Hurricane Maria. Later that year, on 26 June, the vessel encountered strong winds while docked at Honningsvåg. It broke its moorings and struck the dock, causing damage. The cited reference identifies the event but does not provide detailed information about the repair process, passenger consequences, insurance costs, or any subsequent investigation. The available material also does not establish a separate corporate brand beyond the ship's identity and its operation within the TUI Cruises fleet.
- 2018
Post-hurricane visit to Dominica
[1]Mein Schiff 3 visits Dominica on 28 January and is reported as the first cruise ship to call there after Hurricane Maria.
- 2018
Honningsvåg mooring incident
[1]Strong winds cause the ship to break its moorings and strike the dock while in Honningsvåg on 26 June.
- 2017
Mein Schiff 6 joins the fleet
[1]A slightly modified sister vessel, Mein Schiff 6, is delivered.
- 2016
Mein Schiff 5 joins the fleet
[1]A slightly modified sister vessel, Mein Schiff 5, is delivered.
- 2015
Mein Schiff 4 joins the fleet
[1]The first closely related sister ship, Mein Schiff 4, is delivered.
- 2014
Additional stern thruster is installed
[1]A stern thruster is fitted during work at Navantia in Cádiz before the ship enters service.
- 2014
Delivery and maiden voyage
[1]TUI Cruises accepts the ship on 22 May, and Mein Schiff 3 begins its maiden voyage from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca on 13 June.
- 2013
Launch
[1]The ship is launched on 8 November and formally named Mein Schiff 3.
- 2012
Construction option is confirmed
[1]An option for an additional ship of the same basic design is confirmed on 5 November.
- 2012
Keel laying as Newbuilding 1383
[1]The first ship in the project is laid down at Turku on 12 December under the construction designation Newbuilding 1383.
Products and positioning
A German-language, resort-style cruise experience centered on leisure, onboard hospitality, entertainment, and comparatively fuel-efficient ship design.
Cruise ship · 2013
Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship
Mein Schiff 3 is a purpose-built TUI Cruises vessel of approximately 97,000 gross tons and nearly 300 metres in length. Its passenger proposition combines accommodation, restaurants, lounges, entertainment, pools, and open-deck leisure spaces. The design includes a 25-metre pool, a covered pool, a main theatre, a concert hall, and the Große Freiheit lounge and restaurant beneath a distinctive faceted glass structure. The ship was also presented as using technologies intended to improve fuel efficiency and environmental performance.
Brand decisions
2014
Pre-service stern-thruster modificationOtherBackground
The ship received additional maneuvering equipment during its preparation for commercial operation.
Action taken
A stern thruster was installed between frames 26 and 33 during dry-dock work at Navantia in Cádiz.
Aftermath
The modification was completed before or during the vessel's transition into operational service.
2011
Commissioning of a purpose-built fleet platformStrategyBackground
TUI Cruises sought to expand its fleet and establish a ship designed specifically around its own leisure and hospitality concept.
Action taken
The company ordered Mein Schiff 3 from STX Finland and developed the vessel as the first custom newbuild for the cruise line.
Aftermath
The project became the basis for a closely related series that included Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5, and Mein Schiff 6.
Approximate construction cost. €360 million (2011 order; approximate project cost reported for the ship)
Sources1 sources
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