By
Alex Smith |
Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) has revealed details of the work it completed onboard TUI Cruises’ newest ship, Mein Schiff Relax.
The ship, which began sailing in April 2025, is TUI’s largest ever vessel, measuring 333 metres and with capacity for 3,984 guests. It features a completely updated general arrangement compared to previous ships in the fleet, with the new layout having been designed by TDoS to emphasise ease of movement while onboard.
The overall design evolves naturally from the existing vessels in the fleet, whilst also representing something totally unique,” said Anna Silvesjö, CEO of the Viken Group, TDoS’ parent company. “Even though some of the areas were designed and imagined several years ago, they still feel contemporary and not outdated in any aspect. It is wonderful to see how these ships are continuously evolving and developing.
In the ship’s new layout, the reception is now directly connected to the boarding area and the deck above via an escalator. Large side windows have also been added to the space, extending from port to starboard to bring in light and allow sightlines on each side of the vessel. Skylights located on the sides of deck five, meanwhile, bring natural light into the centre of the reception.
Related venues across the ship are grouped into neighbourhoods, including areas for entertainment venues, suites, and open decks and active areas. The inclusion of a stair tower is also intended to help movement through the ship, with the addition of artworks chosen to help guests to orientate themselves using the forward (ice-themed), mid (forest-themed) or aft (desert-themed) areas. The pool and sports court have been relocated to the upper deck on Mein Schiff Relax, one deck higher than on previous Mein Schiff ships. This is intended to make the areas more open to sea views, as well as enabling the placement of a large harbour market restaurant on the deck below.
Osteria features Italian and Mediterranean elements throughout its design
TDoS was also responsible for the interior design of a number of spaces across the ship, including the Osteria restaurant located on deck 16.
“Our TDoS team have adopted a materially grounded methodology, embedding Osteria within Mediterranean vernacular traditions,” said Fredrik Johansson, co-founder of Viken Group. “Terracotta and sustainably sourced timber evoke Italian craft, while an olive-green backdrop frames bold, black-metal furniture and restrained white accents that highlight key spatial thresholds.
He continued: “To amplify volume and harness daylight, we inserted strategically positioned mirrors that reflect natural light and blur interior-exterior boundaries. Classical references – such as arched mirror surrounds – are layered with some elegant, stringent detailing and accents. A central kitchen counter functions as a convivial core, promoting interaction and transparency. Along the perimeter, timber-clad niches create intimate enclaves, each illuminated by stylish, custom-made wall fixtures and curated graphic elements, reflecting “la dolce vita” through a traveller’s lens.”
La Cage is a casino burlesque area onboard Mein Schiff Relax designed by TDoS
TDoS worked in collaboration with both TUI Cruises and a number of other design studios on Mein Schiff Relax.
The variety of the areas which we were lucky enough to design is fantastic,” said Antonio Romano, commercial and marketing director at Viken Group. “We were able to play with both the more typical onboard areas like the reception, restaurants and bars but also the rarer areas like ‘La Cage’, the casino burlesque area which was great fun for all the designers who worked on it. Going onboard now, it’s magical to see the areas becoming reality, and we can’t wait for guests to witness these for themselves.”