TUI Cruises has set two more milestones in its ongoing expansion as yesterday, the keel laying of Mein Schiff 5 took place at the Turku-Meyer shipyard in Finland. In the course of its construction, a total of 77 steel blocks will be melted into a new well-being ship. At the same time, the first steel cut for Mein Schiff 6 also took place, marking the official start of construction of the Hamburg-based cruise line s fourth new build.

“This growth presents us with the opportunity to further strengthen our position with one of the most modern fleets on the German market. With six ships in the medium term, we are aiming at a market share in excess of 25 percent,” said Wybcke Meier, TUI Cruises CEO.

Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 will be delivered in 2016 and 2017. 

Like their sister ships (Mein Schiff 3 and Mein Schiff 4), they will be 295 meters long, have 15 decks with around 1,253 staterooms and the capacity to carry approximately 2,506 passengers. 90 percent of the cabins are outside cabins and 82 percent have a balcony. B