By
Guest contributor |
Across TUI Cruises, we consistently incorporate input from our product and operational departments, as well as direct customer feedback, into our interior design concepts. This includes, for example, implementing lessons learned from one newbuild project into the next sister vessel, as well as applying insights when developing new concepts. In addition, we work closely with our hotel refurbishment department to ensure the quality of the design meets our targets for longevity, durability and sustained operational performance.
Mein Schiff Flow, the second ship in our InTUItion class, entered service in June 2026, with a three-night pre-christening roundtrip cruise from Trieste, Italy. The outfitting companies are in the final stages of completing the interior, so we can already see the final design and directly compare them with the renderings created during the design process. This is a phase I particularly enjoy, as the built result is often remarkably close to the original visualisations, which is proof that creating and experimenting with numerous iterations of a design leads to a strong and coherent final outcome.
As TUI Cruises’ design lead and project manager, I am heavily involved in ensuring the design vision defined by our executives and product departments during the concept stage is consistently translated into the architectural design and ultimately realised by the ship outfitters in the final interior. In doing so, I oversee the entire process while carefully balancing all boundary conditions, including schedules, budgets and resources.
The Atrium onboard Mein Schiff Flow features a new design from sister ship Mein Schiff Relax
Our design approach varies depending on the type of project. When designing new concepts, such as our InTUItion class vessels, we aim to preserve the core DNA of the Mein Schiff brand while further evolving and enhancing it to give the ship its own identity. For sister vessels, the focus lies primarily on selective decor changes in key areas, introducing new design highlights and surprise elements for our guests, while ensuring the interior design remains contemporary. Additionally, we individually develop an art concept for each vessel.
Read more: Where will TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Flow spend its maiden season?
One of the key challenges when designing cruise ship interiors is to ensure you develop designs that are both contemporary and timeless, given that they need to be finalised four to five years before the ship enters service. This was a central challenge for Mein Schiff Relax, which made its debut in March 2025. However, thanks to a diverse group of talented architects and designers, strong and competent partners, and a clear overarching vision, we mastered this task. Nevertheless, we do occasionally face late requests for changes in the design, which can impact the construction process. In such cases, we carefully assess priorities and relevance, evaluating the potential benefit to guests and operational requirements before making a decision.
The pool deck onboard Mein Schiff Flow boasts a 25-metre swimming pool
I am especially looking forward to seeing the redesigned Atrium area onboard Mein Schiff Flow, including the new barista bar, which promises to feel fresh, modern and relaxing at the same time. Another highlight will be the Captain’s Bar, inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. With its rich thematic details, such as lounge chairs reminiscent of seashells, it is an area I cannot wait to see completed.
Anna Wiebke is based in Hamburg, Germany, and works as design lead and project manager for TUI Cruises
Discover more insights like this in the 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Interiors. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.