by InTrieste
In a significant stride towards sustainable cruising, Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, celebrated the delivery of Mein Schiff Relax at the Monfalcone shipyard on Thursday. The vessel, the first of two groundbreaking InTUItion-class cruise ships, features dual-fuel technology capable of operating on both Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO). The sister ship is scheduled for delivery in mid-2026.
The delivery ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani, alongside Fincantieri executives Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager; and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division. Representing TUI Cruises were Wybcke Meier, CEO, Frank Kuhlmann, CFO, and Captain Tom Roth.
Weighing approximately 160,000 gross tons, Mein Schiff Relax is poised to become the cornerstone of TUI Cruises’ new fleet. The ship’s design, developed by Fincantieri, emphasizes modernity and sustainability — values that are increasingly vital in an industry under scrutiny for its environmental impact. TUI Cruises boasts one of the most advanced fleets globally in terms of ecological standards.
The InTUItion-class ships are designed with an innovative focus on energy efficiency, aiming to reduce operational consumption and minimize environmental impact in full compliance with the latest maritime regulations. The vessels’ capability to operate on LNG, and potentially bio- or e-LNG in the future, signals a forward-looking approach to achieving climate-neutral cruising.
Construction of Mein Schiff Relax involved over 3,000 workers from Fincantieri and partner companies over the past months. The ship is outfitted with catalytic converters compliant with Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine harnessing residual heat from diesel generators, and an electrical shore connection system. This technology enables nearly emission-free operation during port stays, which account for about 40% of the ship’s operational time.
The vessel also features an advanced waste treatment system, capable of transforming organic substances into recyclable components through a thermal process, further underscoring the commitment to sustainability.
As the cruise industry faces mounting pressure to curb its environmental footprint, Fincantieri and TUI Cruises’ investment in greener technologies positions them as leaders in the quest for sustainable travel. Mein Schiff Relax is not just a ship; it’s a bold statement of intent towards a cleaner, more responsible future for cruising.
