Bertram's logbook

Cruise-Report: Mein Schiff 5 (1/3)

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[Translate to en:] Mein Schiff 5 im Hamburger Hafen

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[Translate to en:] Atlantik Restaurant

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[Translate to en:] Blick ins Hauptrestaurant Atlantik

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[Translate to en:] Gosch Sylt

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[Translate to en:] Hanami by Tim Raue

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[Translate to en:] Hanami by Tim Raue

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[Translate to en:] Osteria

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[Translate to en:] Schmankerl Restaurant

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[Translate to en:] Steakhouse Surf & Turf

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[Translate to en:] Tag & Nacht Bistro

On July 15, the "Mein Schiff 5" was ceremoniously christened in Lübeck-Travemünde. We were allowed on board three weeks earlier and spent a night on the Elbe with the latest premium liner from TUI Cruises.

Part 1: Old coffee, modern art and a great ship

Coffee machines, that is. And capsules. Lined up as neatly on the shelf as you would find at home in a discount electronics store ... If it really is true that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression, then the "Mein Schiff 5" would have lost shortly after boarding. Firstly, why do you need the floating sales office of a coffee manufacturer that is still flooding the oceans with its anachronistic aluminum capsules right next to the reception of a cruise ship? And secondly, why do you even need a place to buy a new coffee machine on a cruise ship?!

Nevertheless, welcome once again to the new "Mein Schiff 5" - and please let us continue on our tour. Just away from deck 3, probably the most conceptually and architecturally unsuccessful place on this otherwise magnificent ship. So let's go up to deck 4, where a virtual band plays on four huge screens in the TUI Bar both day and night and you can buy lots of useful and beautiful things in the stores on the "Neuer Wall". Deck 4 is also home to the "LUMAS Gallery". The renowned edition gallery, which is represented in many major German-speaking cities, has exactly 5,681 works of photographic art spread throughout the ship. Deck tours quickly turn into exciting art walks - and sea days into "viewing days".
If you deliberately don't want to trust your eyes, you should visit the "Studio" on deck 4. With the help of the so-called "Pepper's Ghost Effect", artists such as Ute Lemper or Dieter Hallevorden are "beamed" onto the stage - close enough to touch and yet impalpably far away ...
And then there's the "Hanami by Tim Raue" on deck 4. In the shade of a huge, coral-red origami tree and with a view of the stern wave, you can enjoy fine sushi and signature dishes from the two-star chef from Berlin, such as steamed pike-perch with leek and ginger, duck with tamarind and fives spices or yuzu cheesecake with meringue and caramel.

Are you more in the mood for culinary delights from Austria and America than from Asia? No problem, then please follow me up to deck 5, where the "Schmankerl" restaurant serves Alpine tapas, fluffy Kaiserschmarrn and schnitzel in the best breading. Directly opposite, in the "Surf & Turf", you can choose your favorite meat directly from the display case and even have it grilled outdoors when the weather is nice. A little further forward, the "Schau Bar" lives up to its name: three decks deep, you can look down into the ship's restaurants from here - and it really is a spectacular sight. What else does deck 5 have to offer? Access to the large theater, whose shows were unfortunately not performed that evening, a casino with lounge, the nightclub "Abtanzbar" - and, as highlights for night owls or the more or less small appetite in between, the "Osteria" and the "Day & Night Bistro". Pizza, pasta, currywurst etc. are served here around the clock - in a relaxed atmosphere and with the option of eating your snack outside on deck.

Our tour continues on deck 11, where a wide variety of sweat baths run hot during the day (and sometimes even at night) in the "Himmel&Meer-Spa". Top for cooling off afterwards: the spacious outdoor relaxation balcony with (finally) enough loungers and a great view. The treatment cabins are located one deck higher, along with the spa reception and the fitness and gym area opposite. Here, too, everything is very spacious, elegant, airy and so ambitiously designed that you actually start thinking about one of the upcoming yoga, workout, Flying Pilates, Modern Tai Chi or golf trips with Mein Schiff 5 ...

We have now reached the outside decks, and as the skies over Hamburg are good, sunny and warm on this day, we might even consider a dip in the 25-meter pool. Or perhaps you would prefer to relax in the whirlpool of the lagoon, which is open at the top (attention: new feature!)? That wouldn't be a problem on this day either. However, in view of upcoming trips to the Nordic countries or moody spring and autumn weather in the Mediterranean, the lack of a glass roof is definitely a bold decision.

Further aft, Mein Schiff 5 is once again identical to its slightly older sister Mein Schiff 4: the wonderful bakery with a delicious and extensive selection of ship-made bread and pastries, the huge buffet restaurant "Anckelmannsplatz", the branch of "GOSH Sylt" with indoor and outdoor seating ...

Because sailors not only believe in the Klabautermann, but are also quite superstitious in other ways, deck 13 is missing. However, deck 14 once again has everything that Mein Schiff guests know and love: the "Außenalster" bar at the stern, the lovingly designed children's area as well as plenty of sunbathing areas amidships and the exclusive "X-Lounge" at the very front of the stern, which is only open to suite passengers. New here: From 7 pm, drinks are no longer included, but dinner is served instead - which is definitely a good alternative, especially during peak times in the main restaurant "Atlantik". New on deck 15: the changed position of the relaxation lounges, which now actually offer complete privacy and unrestricted sea views and can be rented by the hour for all guests.

And how does it feel to sleep on board after such a discovery tour? Read more about the cabins and suites of the "Mein Schiff 5" in the second part of our cruise report.

Text: Jörg Bertram