Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, celebrated the launch of ‘Mein Schiff Flow’, the second of two cruise ships of the newly developed dual-fuel InTUItion class, at the Monfalcone shipyard.
The sistership of ‘Mein Schiff Relax’, delivered last February, she will enter service in mid-2026.
The launching ceremony was attended by Daniele Fanara, Director of New Building and After Sales of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, Cristiano Bazzara, Director of the Monfalcone shipyard and Wybcke Meier, TUI Cruises’ CEO.
Of about 160,000 gt, ‘Mein Schiff Flow’ is based on a new generation project developed by Fincantieri, focusing on energy efficiency with the aim of reducing operating consumption and minimising environmental impact, in full compliance with the latest regulations.
The ship will be able to use LNG as a fuel and will be future-proofed, with the possibility of using low-emission fuels, such as bio- or e-LNG.
She will also be fitted with catalytic converters (compliant with the Euro 6 standard) and a steam turbine to exploit the diesel generators’ waste heat, as well as an electrical connection system to the berth.
These initiatives will ensure almost emission-free operation during berthing (about 40% of the vessel’s operating time).
She will also be equipped with an efficient waste treatment system capable of transforming organic substances into recyclable components through a thermal process.
In addition, the shipbuilder held a ceremony for the cutting of the first sheet metal of ’Sonata’ at the Marghera shipyard.
She will be a new luxury cruise ship to be operated by Oceania Cruises, a brand of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH) group.
Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2027 and she will be followed by a sistership in 2029.
The ceremony was attended by Harry Sommer, NCLH President & CEO; Jason Montague, Chief Luxury of Oceania Cruises; Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division and Marco Lunardi, Director of the Marghera shipyard.
‘Sonata’, and her sistership Arietta, will be one of the most spacious and comfortable ships in Oceania’s fleet.
The new vessel will be the first of the new ‘Sonata’ class, which builds on the ‘Allura’ class.
‘Vista’ was delivered by Fincantieri in 2023, while sistership, ’Allura’ is scheduled for delivery in July, 2025.
