Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland says it has started the production of Mein Schiff 1, which at 111,500 gross tons is larger than the three 99,300 gross ton units the same shipyard has built to the German cruise operator so far and one which is due to be delivered next year.

Mein Schiff 1 will replace the current ship of the same name in the TUI Cruises fleet, which will be transferred to Thomson Cruises in the UK.

The new vessel will have 1,447 passenger cabins to provide accommodation for 2,894 passengers and it will have a crew of 1,000.

A similar vessel is due to be delivered to TUI Cruises in 2019, which will replace the present Mein Schiff 2, which will also be introduced on the British market under Thomson Cruises’ banner.