TUI Clamps Down, Not Allowing Pre-Cruise Overnights

Posted on 15 January, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

TUI Cruises has told guests on select sailings they cannot board if they have booked a pre-cruise stay or an overnight before the start of their trip, according to Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten, a leading German blog covering cruising.

Coming on the heels of the news the company will require booster shots, the German brand is essentially telling guests to fly straight to the ship with no pre-cruise activity.

The company also said it will only take bookings with arrival and departure packages (i.e. flights) it books for guests along with the cruise, allowing it to control the full journey. Post-cruise stays are still okay.

Exceptions are being granted for guests that have already booked flights or other transportation, which will be checked by the cruise line at embarkation.

Ships/Itineraries Impacted:

Mein Schiff 2 from Jan. 28 to April 11
Mein Schiff 3 from Jan. 20 to April 24
Mein Schiff 4 from Jan. 23 to April 24
Mein Schiff 5 from March 6 to May 22
Mein Schiff 6 from Jan. 24 to Feb. 28

The Mein Schiff 1 is exempt as it continues to sail from German homeports, which are easily accessible for the company’s German-speaking passengers.

TUI Adds Second Ship Back Into Service; Doubles Capacity

Posted on 15 July, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

TUI Cruises is already doubling capacity and spinning up a second ship as the Mein Schiff 1 will restart service at 60 per cent occupancy out of Kiel in August, according to the German cruise company.

This follows the Mein Schiff 2, which resumes service later this month with short cruises from Hamburg.

The Mein Schiff 1 will sail cruises to nowhere (known as “Blue Cruises”) from Kiel, offering three- and four-day short sailings.

“This gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the Mein Schiff experience on board with the premium all-inclusive concept and at the same time treat themselves to a break at sea, of course with an adapted and expanded health and safety concept,” the company said. “The basis for the resumption of cruise operations is the guiding principles of the responsible authorities, which were developed in coordination with CLIA Germany and the shipping companies as well as in cooperation with experts.”

Pricing starts at 599 euro per person for a balcony stateroom.

TUI Expects to Restart Cruise Ships With Less Occupancy, More Changes

Posted on 13 May, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Tui’s new Mein Schiff 2

TUI Group has said it expects to restart cruise service this summer, but with less occupancy.

The company, which oversees the TUI, Hapag-Lloyd and Marella brands, said the changes will start at boarding, with new health questionnaires. screening preboarding and staggered boarding groups.

The company also said it plans to start with less than 1,000 guests on each ship until August 31, 2020, meaning TUI’s big ships, with capacity for just under 3,000 guests, would be sailing at approximately one-third occupancy, allowing for much more distance in public areas.

Other changes include the elimination of self-service food. Public venues will also be limited to one-third of their capacity. Only 10 children will be allowed in the Kids’ Club aboard, the company said.

In addition, the ships will operate at what TUI called OPP-3 (Outbreak Prevention Plan Level 3), meaning constant cleaning of touched services, every 30 minutes or less. The company said it expects to have COVID-19 testing capabilities aboard with additional medical staff.

The cruise line will work closely with ports to develop joint procedures to handle any possible COVID-19 cases, according to a statement.