Bo Randstedt
A stylish premium mid-size ship that is good for the whole family
The Ship. Mein Schiff 2, originally built as Mercury for Celebrity Cruises, was transferred in 2011 to TUI Cruises (part of TUI Travel, Europe’s largest tour operator) specifically for German-speaking passengers, in a joint venture with Royal Caribbean Cruises, parent of Royal Caribbean International. The ship underwent a major conversion at that time. In 2019, it is expected that Mein Schiff 2 will be moved to the UK’s Thomson Cruises fleet to become TUI Explorer 2.
This all-inclusive mid-size ship has just about all you need for an enjoyable and rewarding cruise experience. There are 10 bars, four restaurants, six bistros, and good facilities for families with children.
The ship has good tender-loading platforms. Although there are more than 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares) of space on the open decks, it can, however, become crowded when the ship is full. Charming two-person cabanas can be rented on an upper, outside deck, with great ocean views, but insulated from shipboard life.
Inside, a four-deck-high main foyer houses the reception desk and shore excursion station. There’s a small cinema, which doubles as a conference and meeting center, with the latest audio-visual technology, including simultaneous translation and headsets for the hearing-impaired. There’s a large shopping center, including ultra-smart shops such as Swarovski, while cigar smokers will appreciate the private club-like cigar lounge and bar.
The interior decor is at once contemporary in style, but with many restful colors and combinations throughout and nothing garish – except, perhaps, for the starkly contrasting wallcovering of blood-red capillaries in the Blue World Bar.
Mein Schiff 2 has individual hammocks in various outdoor locations, including on some suite-grade balconies. ‘Meditation Islands’ are also installed on the open deck: the ship’s rail is fitted with mini-balconies, equipped with special blinds, and created as spaces for private relaxation.
This vessel is for German-speaking families with children (the latter should look out for Captain Sharky), who want to cruise aboard a ship with a contemporary environment, good itineraries, great food, and European-style service from a well-trained crew that delivers a cruise that’s fresh and surprisingly good. Making it even more user-friendly for families is the all-inclusive pricing, though this excludes spa treatments, excursions, and the extra-cost restaurants: Richards Feines Essen, Blaue Welt Sushi Bar, and Surf ’n’ Turf Steakhouse. The dress code is smart casual.
Accommodation. There are several price grades, depending on the size and location of your living space, but the accommodation is very comfortable. Every cabin has its own Nespresso coffee machine, which comes with two free coffee pods (any additional packets cost €1 each, although they are free in suites). All accommodation grades are designated no-smoking.
Standard outside-view/interior cabins. These are of a decent size,and furnished with twin beds that convert to a queen-size unit. The bathrooms are spacious and have generous-size showers, hairdryers, and space for toiletries. Baby-monitoring telephones and personal safes are provided in all cabins. A box containing three crystal-mineral stones provides special filtration for the ship’s own water.
Most of the Deck 10 suites and cabins are generously proportioned, nicely equipped, and have balconies with full or almost-full floor-to-ceiling partitions. They have large flat-screen TV sets, a wall clock, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a well-stocked mini-bar, a marble-topped vanity/writing desk, excellent closet and drawer space, and large shower enclosure. Suite occupants get newspapers, chocolates, Champagne, and access to the exclusive X Lounge. Look out for the phrase ‘Wood Thrust Into Brine’ in large letters above the bar – you’ll have to look up to see it.
Two Penthouse Suites, located amidships, are the largest. Each has its own butler’s pantry, and an interconnecting door to link it to the next-door suite.
Most suites with private balconies have floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors to large balconies – 12 have balconies measuring 258.3 sq ft (24 sq m), with a hammock, two sunloungers and a dining table, and a few have outward opening doors. Suite-grade accommodation have European duvets on the beds instead of sheets and blankets. A balcony massage service is also available. Suite occupants get special cards to open their doors, plus priority service throughout the ship and for embarkation and disembarkation, free cappuccinos and espressos, welcome Champagne, flowers, and picnic baskets as required. Suite occupants also have keycard access to a private, 100-seat concierge lounge/bar and social venue (the ‘X’ Lounge), with a selection of cold food, including some decent caviar for breakfast.
Dining. Restaurants and bistros range from self-serve buffet style to service. There is no pre-defined seating. The emphasis is on healthy food, including power food, brain food, soul food, erotic food, and fresh fish. The Atlantik Restaurant is a lovely, two-level Art Deco grand dining hall with a grand staircase. Tables are for two to 10.
Richards Feines Essen (Gourmet Restaurant), a specialty dining venue, is à la carte and reservations only, with a restful wood-laden interior and high-quality fine dining and service. A dégustation menu and three specialty vegetarian menus are also available, and the wine list is extensive.
Surf ’n’ Turf Steakhouse features premium steaks and grilled seafood, with aged beef, displayed in a ‘proving’ or maturing cabinet – a cruise industry first.
In an area covered by a retractable glass dome in the aft section of the ship, three eateries and a communal bar provide very different food experiences (all included in the cruise price): Bistro La Vela for Italian cuisine, including an ‘active’ pasta-cooking station with your choice of six pastas, and freshly made pizza; Gosch Sylt for fresh fish and seafood, with daily specials (it’s hugely popular, so make a reservation early); and Tapas y Mas for tapas and other tasting dishes. This venue is a most popular place to meet the fashionable set, with both indoor and outdoor seating and bar.
There’s also Blaue Welt (Blue World) Sushi Bar, on the upper level of the atrium; Vino, a wine-tasting bar specializing in Austrian and German wines; Cliff 24, a 24-hour poolside grill with different food items throughout the day; and the TUI Bar, a coffee lounge set around the atrium lobby for specialty coffees and pastries, and a separate praline chocolate counter.
For informal breakfasts and lunches, the two-level self-serve Anckelmannsplatz Buffet is the place to go. There are several serving counters and ‘active’ food islands. There are also two poolside grills – one adjacent to the midships pools, the other wedged into an area aft of the swimming pool/hot tub cluster.
Entertainment. The Theater is a 927-seat showlounge spanning two decks, with seating on both main and cantilevered balcony levels. There are good sight lines from all seats. The large-scale production shows are excellent.
Spa/Fitness. The Spa and More, located at the front of the ship one deck above the navigation bridge, has 18,299 sq ft (1,700 sq m) of space. It includes a large exercise area with the machines and cycles, a beauty salon, thalassotherapy pool, 15 treatment rooms, a Rasul chamber for mud and steam bathing, and a sauna.
Private ‘spa suites,’ bookable for an hour or two, or a half- or full-day, are extremely large, and include a steam/shower cabinet, thalassotherapy bath, two hydraulic massage/relaxation tables, relaxation seating, and great floor-to-ceiling windows. A balcony adjacent to the sauna is designated as an ‘FKK’ (Freikörperkultur) deck for nude sunbathing.