Suites – TUI Cruises – Mein Schiff Relax
Submitted by: Alicia Sheber
Lead Designer: Barbara Wiethoff
Studio: JOI-Design
Outfitter: Marine Interiors
Shipyard: Fincantieri
Completion Date: 07/02/2025
Not only is Mein Schiff Relax JOI-Design’s first large-scale cruise ship project, it’s also the first in TUI Cruises’ new InTUItion class and the fleet’s largest. The studio designed this TUI and Royal Caribbean joint venture’s most exclusive spaces, including 138 suites. These calming oases come in different configurations: 110 Junior Balcony Suites (26 sqm); 14 Beautiful View Suites (30 sqm); 4 Wanderlust Suites (28-38 sqm); 8 Vision Suites (45 sqm); and 2 Great Freedom Suites (88 sqm) whose 2-storey layouts feature 2 large terraces, a master bedroom, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with its own sauna, and additional living spaces. The brief was to design interiors that help passengers internalise the ship’s namesake, “relax”. They aimed to create an idyllic seaside atmosphere inspired by beautiful shapes found in nature. Where sea meets sky, placid horizon lines stretch out to infinity; uniquely contoured pebbles on the coast; the playful shapes of shells that aquatic creatures call home; and the sand ripples echoing the tide’s ebb and flow. Palettes, shapes and materials instil elegance yet feel laidback: horizontal lines symbolise calm landscapes, while fluid textures and patterns evoke smoothness and tranquillity. Guests spending weeks in compact rooms require sufficient intuitive storage. Generous spaces ensure adequate room for wardrobes, accessories and toiletries, while materials with a natural, high-quality feel support calm and comfortable guest experiences. The project’s sheer complexity pushed the studio to work at the intersection of precision and imagination. Innovating within clearly set boundaries demanded constant creative negotiation but led to unique, deeply-thought-through solutions. Concepts had to remain within the reference ship’s cost, complexity and material frameworks, requiring constant negotiation between the shipyard and the designers. Efficiency is crucial in this high-density environment, so the studio consulted the operations team to integrate crew workflow, service logistics and maintenance throughout the project. Early collaboration aligned aesthetics and functionality, thereby avoiding costly adjustments later on while ensuring guests enjoy both beauty and comfort. The ship can transition to alternative energy sources like bio and e-LNG once available, uses residual heat from diesel generators, connects to land-based power in port, and transforms organic materials into recyclable components through thermal waste treatment.