Mein Schiff 6

Mein Schiff 6 - the last ship of the Blue Motion class

Eight months after the keel was laid, Mein Schiff 6 floated on January 3, 2017 in the construction dock of the Finnish Meyer Turku shipyard. TUI Cruises took over the new building on May 12, 2017, and Mein Schiff 1 was christened on June 2017, 6 in front of the spectacular backdrop of Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie. Iveta Apkalna, titular organist of the Konzerthaus, acted as godmother.

Cabins and suites

Mein Schiff 6 has a total of 1.267 cabins and suites. The shipping company differentiates between 12 cabin and suite types. The cabin size varies between 16 square meters (inside cabins) and 29 to 44 square meters (family cabins outside). Outside and balcony cabins are 17 square meters on average. The standard cabins appear well thought-out and tastefully furnished. 16 or 17 square meters offer two people enough space for a ship trip lasting several weeks. There is also plenty of storage space.

The suites are available in four versions as junior suites, sky & sea suites, diamond suites and themed suites. The living space is between 26 and 49 square meters. The balcony areas are between 8 and 47 square meters (Diamant Suite).

Extra services for suite guests
In addition to the size, the suites differ in terms of location and furnishings. Suite guests experience a separate check-in, receive free internet access and concierge services. The drinks in the minibar are “on the house”, and the exclusive X-Lounge separates the noble guests from the standard travelers.

Current Offers

Gastronomic experiences

The shipping company promises "culinary art, quality and great pleasure on the high seas" and keeps what it promises. Mein Schiff 6 offers its guests eleven restaurants & bistros as well as 16 bars & lounges.

Included restaurants

The Mein Schiff fleet has always stood for the all-inclusive concept. The restaurants included in the price of the trip offer the high quality that TUI Cruises has come to expect. The passengers are familiar with the “long-running favorites” of the main restaurant Atlantik with the variants “Classic” and “Mediterranean” as well as the buffet restaurant “Anckelmannsplatz” with the adjoining “Bakery”.

As far as the two classic restaurants are concerned, the generously dimensioned distances between the tables differ pleasantly from other cruise ships. The ship's galley works quickly; the waiter serve the food carefully and efficiently.

The Anckelmannsplatz buffet restaurant is one of the best self-service restaurants that we know on ships. The service stations in the center of the restaurant are arranged sensibly. The dishes are nicely decorated and there is plenty of variety. Wok dishes are prepared in front of the guests. There is a separate, small buffet area for children. The guests enjoy their food at table heights of different heights with appropriate seating.

In the fish restaurant "GOSCH Sylt" (Deck 12 - stern area to starboard), specialties from the sea are served on the seat. Some of the food and drinks (lobster, special wines) are chargeable. GOSCH fish dishes are also available at a separate self-service buffet.

 Anckelmannsplatz shares a spacious outdoor area with GOSCH at the stern of the ship.

Mein Schiff 6 - deck 12 outside terrace

---

On the 5th deck, known as the “Pier”, the “Osteria” are located amidships to port and the “Day & Night Bistro” to starboard. The names say it all. Surcharges have to be paid for some dishes in the osteria.

The “Bosporus - Snackbar” located on deck 12 next to the “Lagune” on the starboard side does not represent upscale gastronomy. Instead, the simply styled snack bar offers doner kebabs, Arabic-inspired vegetarian falafel, and Belgian potatoes and waffles.

Mein Schiff 6 - Bosphorus - Snack Bar

---

Restaurants subject to surcharge

With the quality of the food on offer on all sides, none of the food options that are subject to a surcharge are required in and of themselves. And yet they exist. Specialty restaurants are the “Hanami by Tim Raue”, the “Schmankerl” and the “Surf & Turf - Steakhouse”.

On deck 4, at the stern of the ship, lovers of Far Eastern cuisine will be pampered in the generously equipped Hanami by Tim Raue with authentic cuisine inspired by the Berlin star chef Raue. The Hanami is the second restaurant of this name on the Mein Schiff fleet.

Those who prefer down-to-earth dishes inspired by Austria visit the Schmankerl restaurant. It is aft on deck 5 to port.

Mein Schiff 6 - delicacies

---

Opposite the delicacy is the Surf & Turf Steakhouse on the starboard side. The noble restaurant treats its guests to high-quality meat and lobster specialties. The outdoor barbecue areas connected to the restaurant are attractive in warmer regions of the world.

Bars & Lounges

With the "TUI Bar" and the "Schau Bar", Mein Schiff 6 has two large bars. The TUI Bar's feature is a video screen; the Schau Bar has a small stage and a dance floor.

But what we like best is the "Outer Alster - Bar & Grill" on deck 14 at the stern of the ship. In addition to plenty of space, the "Outer Alster" offers its visitors some cozy beach chairs, an abundance of drinks and good service. The Outer Alster Bar is warmer Regions of the world the best place to enjoy the last drinks of the day, sometimes in the open air.

Mein Schiff 6 - Outer Alster Bar

---

The situation is completely different on deck 12 in the “Himmel & Meer Lounge” in front of the SPA. The bar and lounge is a real haven of calm in the restless ship operation, a place of silence and relaxation. From the height, the ship's guests enjoy the view of the sea ahead.

Mein Schiff 6 - Sky & Sea Lounge

---

Other notable bars:
"Abtanz Bar" (Deck 5): Dim, hypothermic; convertible into an escape room.
“LUMAS Bar” (Deck 4): The bar next to the LUMAS Gallery offers everything a bar needs: comfortable seating, tasteful decorations and the wide range of drinks familiar from TUI Cruises.

"Diamant Bar und Champagner Treff" (Deck 5): at the stern of the ship in front of and next to the "Diamant".

“Überschau Bar” (deck 14): meeting point for smokers on port side.

Mein Schiff 6 - Survey Bar

---

Space for sport and wellness

"Feeling good" is written in capital letters on the bow of the ship. For many passengers, the special moments of wellbeing on a cruise include its spa and fitness offers. A total of 1.800 square meters of space on board the Mein Schiff 6 is reserved for spa and sports purposes in the indoor and outdoor areas.

Mein Schiff 6 - pool in the evening

---

We have not been amazed at the exemplary 25-meter outdoor pool in all TUI Cruises' new buildings for a long time. The "lagoon" is beautiful to look at and inviting. It is an ideal place to relax, as long as it is not used as a meeting place for parents with small children, as is so often the case.

At 280 meters, the jogging route is significantly shorter than that of the two new buildings, Mein Schiff 1 and 2.

While the running track is open for two hours once a day from 6:00 am, the “arena” (deck 14) is mainly available to athletes for ball sports all day. In the late evening hours, crew members use the arena for basketball tournaments. Indoor cycling and other sports are also offered to guests in the arena. From the rising rows of seats on one side of the hall, entertainment formats and live broadcasts of sporting events can also be followed. The arena is also used by the kids club.

On deck 12, in the forward area on the port side, is the fitness area, which is well-equipped with machines. "Personal training" as well as various workshops and health checks can be booked for a fee.

Mein Schiff 6 - gym

---

The design of the “SPA & Sea area” is becoming more and more beautiful, and the offers are becoming more and more well thought-out. Various saunas and steam rooms with the associated relaxation rooms are included in the tour price. Experience showers as well as various cabins for paid beauty treatments and couple massages complete the offer.

For those who are idle, there are eight closed “relaxation boxes” on deck 15 in the outer area of ​​the ship. The special pleasure can be booked for a good fee with variable additional services.

Mein Schiff 6 3- spa relaxation lounges 

---

The areas of the outer decks amount to a total of 17.895 square meters. Under the current pandemic conditions with a reduced number of guests, there is plenty of free space outside for each passenger.

Entertainment

Before the start of the corona pandemic, all TUI Cruises ships offered sophisticated entertainment programs with shows, artistry, live concerts and variety performances. The pandemic calls for restrictions. The elaborate stage shows developed and produced by TUI Cruises in the three-story theater are not included. Instead, guest artists show their skills.

The “studio” on the fourth deck offers around 150 seats for more intimate formats. In the previous new ships, the small theater was called the "Klanghaus". The Schaubühne enriches on-board entertainment above all with boulevard theater, stand-up comedy or magic. The technical equipment includes a hologram stage and a sound system that creates the illusion of a concert hall.

Classics on TUI Cruises ships are the small “Thalia reading lounge” (deck 3 next to the reception), the “LUMAS gallery” (deck 4) and the small “casino” on deck 5 with the associated lounge and indoor smoking area.

We are amazed at the wide variety of paid entertainment formats. Just a small selection of topics: beautiful jewelry - homemade, watercolor painting course, meat tasting, coffee tasting, baking artisan bread, rum tasting, gin tasting, craft beer tasting, etc., etc. Nobody on board should feel bored. The entertainment offers are all varied and many interests are catered for. Chapeau! 

Not to forget the "Neuer Wall shopping mile" located in the front part of the ship between the atrium and the theater. Heinemann, known from German airports and cruise ships, operates several attractive shops on the 4th and 5th deck. For watch lovers: The most expensive watch on our trip cost more than 20.000 euros (retail price; German VAT is not applicable on board).

TUI Cruises - family ships

TUI Cruises cruise ships are family ships. Parents with children appreciate that. It goes without saying that children of all ages as well as teenagers will find suitable and age-appropriate lounges and age-appropriate childcare options on board. It also goes without saying that empathetic and committed carers take care of the offspring.

Cruises under COVID 19 conditions

The Mein Schiff fleet currently operates with 60 to 80 percent of the maximum passenger capacity. The hygiene measures practiced by TUI Cruises are based on the official requirements of the destination ports. In addition, other safety measures apply on board the Mein Schiff fleet. These include, among other things, the mask requirement on the inner decks, and extensive disinfection of the ship before accepting new guests. The mandatory corona PCR test before boarding is essential, and fever is measured almost every day. It is mandatory to wash your hands before entering the restaurants, and in the self-service restaurants, meals are presented by crew members. The theater, which can hold around a thousand passengers, is no more than half full.

Standards in environmental protection and energy efficiency

Older cruise ships are rightly classified as polluting by environmentalists. They mainly burn heavy fuel oil, which is harmful to the environment. TUI Cruises has always relied on constructive measures with regard to environmental protection and energy efficiency in its new buildings. Over the years these systems have been further refined.

Mein Schiff 6 uses a combined exhaust aftertreatment system in continuous operation. It consists of a permanently working exhaust gas washer (scrubber) and catalysts for the main and auxiliary machines. This technology helps to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, especially in coastal and port areas.

In addition, according to TUI Cruises, the ships in the Mein Schiff fleet consume more than a third less energy than comparable cruise ships. Effective measures to save energy are: an effective energy management system, an innovative light control system, highly efficient air conditioning, the hydrodynamic hull shape of the ship and environmentally friendly underwater paintwork. Energy is not wasted: the waste heat from the engines is used, for example, to heat the pools and to generate steam in the laundry.

Information about Mein Schiff 6

Adoption	May 2017
Size:	Length 295 meters; Width 35,80 meters, draft 7,95 meters
measurement	98.811 GT
Passenger decks	12 decks
Power Type	diesel-electric
Speed	approx. 21,7 knots
passengers	2.534 with double occupancy
Staterooms	1.267
Manning	about 1.000 persons
Flagge	Malta, home port Valletta
shipyard	Meyer Turku Oy, Turku / Finland
baptism	01.06 2017
captain	Georgios Alevropoulos
Board language	German
Currency on board	Euro

Our route

Cruise Turtle tested Mein Schiff 6 on a 14-day cruise from / to Dubai/ UAE. Destinations visited were Dubai, Abu Dhabi and destinations in the Sultanate of Oman. The trip was supported by TUI Cruises. Our thanks go to the shipping company and our contacts on board. With regard to our journalistic independence, we refer to the chapter "We are independent".

Rating of Mein Schiff 6

With Mein Schiff 6, TUI Cruises owns a successful cruise ship. Mein Schiff 6 is a cruise ship for demanding and quality-conscious German-speaking cruisers. Passengers who choose this ship can rightly have high expectations of the ship and the service it offers. All crew members, from Captain Alevropoulos and General Manager Stephan Zimmermann down to the cabin steward, make the guests feel welcome on board. No rust spot, no matter how small, adorns the hull. The hotel business shines with its cleanliness. Housekeeping and catering work very well.

Where there is light, there is also shadow, as we all know, the devil is in the detail. On the one hand, our negative criticism is directed at the information policy of TUI Cruises headquarters. We got the impression that guests with travel packages are given preferential treatment. Individual travelers like us did not receive any clear information as to where the second mandatory and chargeable Corona-PCR test should be carried out upon arrival in Dubai. It is as simple as that: the tests are carried out in the cruise terminal in Dubai.

On the other hand: While passengers with arrival packages did not have to worry about their luggage in the Rashid Terminal in Dubai, we were forced to register for a definite boarding time before our departure from Germany. After boarding, it was up to us to roll our luggage over a distance of several hundred meters to the ship and to carry it onto the ship via the gangway. Not a hand moved. So much for the term "feel good"!