MEIN SCHIFF 2

★★★★+

TUI Group

THIS IS SUPER-COMFORTABLE CRUISING IN STYLE FOR GERMAN-SPEAKING FAMILIES

Size:	Large Resort Ship
Tonnage:	111,500
Cruise Line:	TUI Cruises
Former Names:	none
Builder:	Meyer Turku (Finland)
Entered Service:	Feb 2019
Length (ft/m):	1,033.4/315.0
Propulsion/Propellers:	diesel-electric/2
Total Crew:	1,000
Passengers (lower beds):	2,897
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds):	38.5
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds):	2.8
Cabins (total):	1,447
Size Range (sq ft/m):	182.9-581.2/17.0-54.0
Cabins (for one person):	0
Cabins with balcony:	1,162
Cabins (wheelchair accessible):	12
Wheelchair accessibility:	Good
Elevators:	10
Casino (gaming tables):	Yes
Self-Service Launderette:	No
Onboard currency:	Euros

BERLITZ’S RATINGS

	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	435
Accommodation	200	162
Food	400	316
Service	400	328
Entertainment	100	84
Cruise Experience	400	313

OVERALL SCORE 1638 points out of 2000

THE SHIP. Mein Schiff 2 is a sister ship to Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 7 (to debut in 2022), and has state-of-the-art environmental equipment, including catalytic convertors (also, the hotel department uses only GOTS certified organic cotton for its bed linen, bathrobes, and towels). This premium ship features a wide choice of dining venues, has an excellent spa, and, for younger cruisers, there’s an enthusiastic team of children’s activity hosts (kids should lookout for Captain Sharky).

Outdoors is a lap pool (at 82ft/25m it’s long by cruise ship standards and half the length of an Olympic-sized pool) and adjacent hot tubs, plus a second, indoor-outdoor pool.

This ship has arguably the most restful interior decor and colors of all the ships in the fleet. It is instantly welcoming, and cossets you in contemporary comfort. With 12 restaurants and bistros, 15 bars and lounges, and excellent entertainment facilities, there really is something for all the family, including some extensive facilities and playrooms for children of all ages. Also included are favorites for passengers on the other ships (for example, a fine Studio auditorium designed to a high acoustic specification – for classical concerts and cultural presentations), a shore-excursion information and booking lounge, an array of shops selling upscale items, plus a multitude of dining and eatery choices.

This really is an easy-going, very comfortable ship, with almost no sense of crowding anywhere – although the pool deck is busy on sunny days. Perhaps the ‘diamond in the crown’ is a two-deck-high glass enclosure, with different restaurants and fine views aft. What makes a cruise aboard Mein Schiff 2 really user-friendly for families is the inclusive pricing (but excluding spa treatments and excursions).

ACCOMMODATION. The cabins are well designed and practically laid out, with an excellent interactive infotainment system, a Nespresso coffee machine, hairdryer, several personal amenities, and a good amount of storage space (and much more in the larger categories and suites). There are numerous accommodation price grades. The price pay depends on the size, location, and grade you choose, from the smallest interior (no-view) cabin to the largest ‘loft’ suite with large terrace. A number of water-dispenser units are on each accommodation deck. A USB charge point is only on the back of the infotainment system.

Suite-grade accommodation occupants can access the X-Lounge, a combination lounge (with indoor/outdoor seating) and eatery (for self-serve breakfasts and lunches, and waiter served dinners). While one deck above is a grill area, bar, and an array of sunbeds.

DINING. Atlantic ‘Classic’ (for classic French and international cuisine) and Atlantic ‘Brasserie’ (with more emphasis on Mediterranean cuisine) are the two main dining rooms, in an open-seating format. There are ‘speciality’ restaurants and casual eateries, with many items included, and some at extra cost, although, from my experience, they provide excellent value, with high-quality ingredients.

The reservations-required Surf & Turf Restaurant has a large dry-aging meat cabinet within it. Smartphone-equipped waiters take orders, which are then digitally sent to the galley (kitchen), so the waiter stays at his station for you.

Manufaktur Kreativ-Kȕche is part cooking school and eatery, where you can choose ingredients, create something (under a chef’s direction, of course), and then eat what you created; it’s very entertaining. Adjacent is an Italian eatery, with some very tasty food.

Day & Night is a very popular bistro for around-the-clock regional and international snacks, including Currywurst and other home-comfort food items.

Ganz Schön Gesund (‘Very Healthy’) Bistro serves creative, mostly plant-based ‘feel good food.’

Anckelmannsplatz is a self-serve buffet restaurant with a real bakery (Backstube), features freshly baked bread, rolls, paninis, cakes, and pastry items (including gluten-free selections). You can also buy artisan bread – specially baked and packaged on the last day of the cruise – to take home.

Fish Market is a fish and seafood venue, aft of Anckelmannsplatz, with an integral sushi bar.

Bosporus, outside on deck, is the place for donor kebabs and other Turkish favorites created to order, while Osteria is for hand-made pizzas, pasta, and other Italian culinary classics.

ENTERTAINMENT. The Theater seats around 1,000 in comfortable seats, for trendy production shows, with multiple LED backdrop screens and surround sound.

Something special is The Studio, a stunning small concert hall developed in conjunction with renowned acoustics experts. It provides an outstanding setting for live classical and jazz concerts, theatrical readings, lectures, and surround-sound movies. Also, there are live bands and musical units in various lounges.

SPA/FITNESS. Spa and Meer wellness and fitness facilities are extensive and include large (mixed-gender) saunas, steam rooms, and numerous body-pampering treatment rooms (including one for couples), relaxation area, and a large fitness room (with high-tech muscle-pump equipment).