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TUI Cruises hosts more than 150 international sales partners aboard new Mein Schiff Relax

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 March 2025 20 March 2025

Between March 6 and 9, more than 150 international travel agents – more than ever before in the history of Mein Schiff – had the opportunity to experience for themselves what feel-good ambassador Robbie Williams means when he says in the commercial “Relaxing rocks with the new Mein Schiff Relax. .... You should check it out”. And that is exactly what the international travel sellers did on the “Together at Sea” fam trip: they put the first vessel of the new InTUItion ship class through its paces during the day and rocked the Mein Schiff Relax with guest stars such as Alex Christensen, DJ Mokaby and Mitchy and André Katawaz in the evening.

TUI Cruises invited sales partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Scandinavia, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia and South Tyrol on board for an exciting training and entertainment program. The Mein Schiff sales team had put together an attractive programme. Highlights included onboard tours and numerous presentations on various topics, as well as an interactive ship rally using one's own smartphone. During the “Relaxing Rocks Rally”, the sales partners had the opportunity to explore all areas of the new feel-good ship at their own pace and, with a little luck, win a free cabin for two people.

The response from travel agents to the “Together at Sea” trip and the Mein Schiff Relax has been consistently positive. “The bilingual project is bearing fruit and making the Mein Schiff fleet more and more accessible to non-German-speaking guests. The new Mein Schiff Relax is a very good example of this,” says Karin Niehoff, Product Manager Cruises at TUI Nederland. Ivar Mensink, Senior International Sales Manager for the Mein Schiff brand, also draws a positive conclusion: “It was very nice to see the interest and fun with which the partners explored the Mein Schiff Relax, the first ship of the InTUItion class. The atmosphere on board was great and the agents filled the motto ‘Relaxing rocks’ with life and interpreted it in their very own way.” Clas Eckholt, Vice President Commercial at TUI Cruises, adds: “The commissioning of our new feel-good ship Mein Schiff Relax is an important milestone – for us and for our sales partners, who are at the heart of our growth strategy. It is even more gratifying that our international sales partners, for whom Mein Schiff Relax offers completely new sales opportunities, have embraced the trip so well and that we were able to welcome over 150 non-German-speaking partners for the first time. Exploring and discovering on board Mein Schiff Relax themselves provides the best foundation for successful discussions and for selling our new flagship even more convincingly.”

Queen Elizabeth completes extensive transformation in Singapore

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2025 18 March 2025

Cunard has unveiled a new-look Queen Elizabeth ahead of her debut season sailing from Miami and its inaugural Alaska voyages from Seattle. The 2,000-guest ship completed a transformative three-week makeover at Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard in Singapore on Friday, March 14.

Queen Elizabeth’s debut Alaska season from Seattle begins on June 12, while her inaugural Caribbean voyage from Miami departs on October 16 – a 12-night roundtrip sailing offering guests the chance to visit Bridgetown’s UNESCO-listed Garrison and bustling markets of Castries, St Lucia.

Queen Elizabeth’s signature spaces, such as the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion, have each been thoughtfully revitalized, connecting guests to the ocean while providing the perfect space to relax or enjoy al fresco dining.

Outdoor decks have also been revamped to give guests better opportunities to admire majestic Alaskan glaciers or gorgeous Caribbean vistas, with more sunshades to the aft deck to accommodate warmer weather, for example.

The story behind the Queens Room redesign, which exudes the elegance and luxury reminiscent of the golden age of ocean travel, takes inspiration from the Royal Palace’s heritage of planting Mulberry trees since King James I, with its new carpet pattern replicating a lush garden shrubbery.

The Grills experience – a hallmark of Cunard’s luxury offering – has also been elevated to new heights. Guests staying in the exclusive Grills suites will enjoy enhanced interiors and exteriors, featuring sumptuous furnishings, sophisticated detailing, and thoughtful design to deliver the ultimate in comfort and style. The Grills terrace also features new furniture for guests to enjoy sunset cocktails.

Another standout feature of the refurbishment is the introduction of The Pavilion Wellness Café, which debuted in 2024 on Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne. This wellness-focused venue will serve breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.

Guests can also enjoy the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea program, first seen on Queen Anne. This industry-first partnership with Harper’s Bazaar offers three-day wellness packages tailored to relaxation, energy restoration, or recovery, providing a rejuvenating journey at sea.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “As Queen Elizabeth begins this exciting new chapter, we are delighted to offer guests an even more refined experience on board, with beautifully updated spaces that combine classic Cunard style with modern comfort. With a full season based in Miami for the first time, more guests from the US and around the world can now experience the Caribbean with Cunard’s unique sense of luxury. The region remains a favorite for travelers on both sides of the Atlantic, and we can’t wait to welcome guests on board.”

For the first time in Cunard’s history, one of their iconic fleet will spend the full season in Miami and Queen Elizabeth will offer a dedicated program of roundtrip Caribbean voyages with itineraries ranging from nine to 28 nights. Guests will enjoy idyllic escapes to iconic destinations including Montego Bay in Jamaica, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and St John’s in Antigua.

Meyer Turku shipyard appoints Casimir Lindholm new CEO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2025 06 March 2025

Casimir Lindholm has been appointed CEO of Meyer Turku Oy and will start his duties in the beginning of May 2025. Casimir Lindholm is currently President and CEO of Cargotec Oyj. He holds an M.Sc. (Econ) and an MBA degree. He has a long professional career as CEO in different companies such as Eltel and Lemminkäinen.

Casimir Lindholm will succeed Tim Meyer, who will join the Meyer Turku Oy Board of Directors in position of vice chair. This step is a part of a planned generational change, after Bernard Meyer handing over the chair position to Jaakko Eskola earlier this spring.

“In Casimir, we have found an exceptional leader with years of experience from various industries such as construction. I already have experience from successfully working together with him in a company majority owned by a family," comments Jaakko Eskola, Executive Chair of the Board for Meyer Turku Oy.

“I am honored to take on this role at Meyer Turku Oy. I look forward to working with the talented shipyard team to drive future success for the shipyard and the whole Finnish shipbuilding ecosystem," says Casimir Lindholm.

The appointment of an external CEO marks an important step in the Meyer family’s role in the company’s governance structure. The increasing complexity of the business and products demands that they delegate their operational responsibilities to be able to dedicate more time to the strategy of the family companies.

Tim Meyer: "As Meyer Turku has made its way out of the global crises and is now standing on a solid financial foundation, we are happy to announce the next step in the development of our family company. In my role as vice chair, I will have more time to concentrate on the strategic development of the shipyard and our other family companies. Together with Jaakko Eskola, my main task will be to ensure Meyer Turku has a long-term competitive strategy with a continued focus on sustainability. Meyer Turku is very important to us, as the company is 100% owned by the family.

During the decade that my brother Jan and I work in Finland, we have grown to highly appreciate the culture and the people in this country of an impressive shipbuilding tradition. I am happy that in Casimir we have found a proven professional leader, who will develop Meyer Turku further. I wish him all the best for his start.”

Jaakko Eskola concludes: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Tim. He took over the responsibility of the shipyard in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis and now, after a series of remarkable global challenges, leaves his role as CEO at a shipyard on an improved financial foundation and promising future outlooks.”

In the last 10 years, since the engagement of the Meyer family, Meyer Turku Oy has been operatively led first by Jan Meyer (2014-2020), then by Tim Meyer (2020-2025). The company turned profitable after the acquisition of STX, and from 2014 to 2025, the shipyard yearly turnover has quadrupled from roughly €500 million to €2 billion.

During the Meyer ownership, the shipyard has been able to deliver at least one large cruise ship each year. So far, the Meyer family has invested over €300 million in developing Meyer Turku. One of the largest milestones in the last 10 years was the delivery of the world’s most complex and efficient cruise ship Icon of the Seas in 2023.

Mitsui Ocean Cruises acquires second luxury cruise ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 March 2025 05 March 2025

MOL Cruises, Ltd. yesterday announced that Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. Ltd. has purchased a second luxury cruise ship from Seabourn. Currently trading as Seabourn Sojourn, the 32,477-gross-ton, 458-passenger ship, will begin operating under a new name and the Mitsui Ocean Cruises brand in late 2026, after completing its Seabourn deployment.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), the parent company of the Japanese cruise line with more than 140 years of experience in the industry, previously announced it is positioning its cruise business as a new growth field. The successful debut of Mitsui Ocean Fuji enabled the cruise line to advance expansion ahead of newbuild vessels in the future. Launched in 2010, the ship is a younger sister ship to Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which was also purchased from Seabourn in March 2023.

“We launched Mitsui Ocean Fuji in December 2024 and are very pleased with the guest reaction to the ship and onboard product,” said Tsunemichi Mukai, President of Mitsui Ocean Cruises. “The ship’s spacious suites, delicious food and exciting entertainment are receiving very positive reviews. While all new cruise ships take a little time to settle in, the experience on Mitsui Ocean Fuji is continuously improving, and we are now extremely confident these two ships are the most suitable vessels to expand our cruise business and offer “FUNATABI - Beautiful encounters with Japan,” in a way only Mitsui Ocean Cruises can offer.”

Before entering passenger service, the new vessel will undergo a significant refurbishment in drydock and will be re-registered and launched as a Japanese flagged ship. The new vessel will offer a variety of short, domestic itineraries in and around the Sea of Japan that are easy for guests to enjoy. Like Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji, this smaller sized ship will take its guests to exciting ports of call, enabling everyone to enjoy the local culture and traditions of Japan, without the crowds of larger ships.

Details of the ship’s new name, drydock improvements and itineraries will be forthcoming. The itineraries already announced for Mitsui Ocean Fuji and Nippon Maru will remain unaffected by this purchase.

Emirates and TUI Cruises renew partnership, working closely to deliver seamless air-sea experiences

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 March 2025 04 March 2025

Emirates has renewed its strategic partnership with TUI Cruises, further cementing Dubai's position as a premier global cruise tourism hub. The strategic extension of this partnership coincides with TUI Cruises' expansion in Dubai, marked by the addition of a second vessel homeporting its operations there for the 2025/2026 cruise season.

The partnership renewal was formalised during ITB Berlin by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline and Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises and underscores Emirates' commitment to deliver integrated travel experiences that seamlessly connect air travel with maritime journeys.

Emirates will continue to work closely with TUI Cruises across several areas, including marketing initiatives, planning and operational strategies. Emirates will strategically coordinate flight schedules with TUI Cruises' itineraries, ensuring optimal connectivity between air and sea segments for cruise customers. The airline and cruise company will also collaborate on dedicated capacity in the form of ‘cruise blocks’ to meet demand from key markets across the airline’s network where possible.

In addition, Emirates will work closely with its Dubai stakeholders on enhanced ground transportation solutions between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Port Rashid Cruise Terminal.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President & Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said: "Emirates takes immense pride in our pivotal role elevating Dubai's status as a premier global cruise destination. This achievement reflects years of strategic investment in world-class maritime infrastructure, iconic attractions, unparalleled connectivity and streamlined ground handling operations for international cruise visitors. These elements have established Dubai as the gateway of choice for the most coveted cruise itineraries globally. Our renewed collaboration with TUI Cruises and its continued commitment to growing its presence in Dubai aims to further enhance cruise passenger arrivals in our home and hub, and across our network, enabling travellers to experience exceptional maritime journeys aboard TUI's magnificent vessels."

Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, said: "We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Emirates, a collaboration that perfectly aligns with our commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences. By seamlessly integrating air and sea journeys, we are able to offer our guests unparalleled convenience and connectivity. Dubai's strategic location and world-class infrastructure make it an ideal hub for our expanded operations. Besides, it is a popular destination for our guests, offering a unique blend of modern luxury and cultural heritage. We look forward to welcoming more guests aboard our vessels and delivering unforgettable cruise experiences together with Emirates."

The airline will also identify avenues to extend the partnership's scope beyond Dubai, with a focus on Far East cruises. TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 6, with a capacity of over 2,500 passengers includes a 14-day itinerary, starting from Singapore, docking in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, then back to Singapore.

Additionally, the partnership encompasses leveraging data-driven insights to elevate service delivery and deploying specialised support personnel for cruise passengers to facilitate a more streamlined check in process. The world-class Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, recognised as the largest single covered cruise facility globally, can support 14,000 daily cruise passengers.

Dubai's cruise sector growth stems from carefully coordinated collaboration from across the tourism and aviation ecosystem, which includes expedited customs and visa processes, duty free services, complimentary city shuttles, and Emirates' dedicated remote check-in facilities at Port Rashid. Emirates' 16 dedicated check-in counters help cruise passengers to process luggage and secure boarding passes up to four hours before departure, affording them the opportunity to explore Dubai unencumbered before making their way back to the airport.

For the upcoming season, TUI Cruises will deploy two vessels to Port Rashid, each accommodating over 2,500 passengers. Travelers can select from two distinct itinerary options featuring embarkation and disembarkation in Dubai with calls at Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar.