By
Rebecca Gibson |
TUI Cruises’ newbuild Mein Schiff 3 was floated out of her building blocks at STX Finland’s Turku yard on 8 November.
The line’s CEO Richard Vogel, STX Finland’s deputy CEO Jari Anttila and mmein Schiff 3’s future captain Kjell Holm attended the drydock ceremony
“We are currently at a stage of 65%,” said Anttila, speaking at the ceremony. “This means that we are on schedule with our work on Mein Schiff 3.”
Work will now commence on the final outfitting stages, including the installation of various technical systems and 1,253 cabins, which are due to be fitted by the end of December. In January 2014, the main engines will be tested for the first time and comprehensive crew training will take place in Turku.
“Now that the outer and interior areas are due to be completed, our ship is taking shape bit by bit” said Vogel.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 2 has also emerged from drydock at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, following an extensive refurbishment project between 1 and 7 November.
More than 320 shipyard workers and 800 crew members worked on the vessel, servicing her technical systems and engines and replacing 2,500 light bulbs in the ship’s public areas with LED bulbs. The ship’s hull was also re-painted with environmentally friendly silicone paint, which reduces water resistance and saves fuel.
In addition, a new 48 sqm outdoor yoga area was installed on deck 12, while all carpets and outdoor flooring was replaced. The exterior cladding on Cliff 24, the ship’s 24-hour snack bar, was also refreshed.
"The drydock imposed a tight schedule on us, but we finished the work within the planned time frame,” said Vogel. “Mein Schiff 2 left the yard on time and is heading for the Caribbean.”