The Mein Schiff 5 has undergone an 11-day comprehensive refurbishment at a shipyard in Dubai, aimed at enhancing the ship’s “feel-good experience” and making the ambience more contemporary.

TUI Cruises said that from January 8 to 19, public areas onboard were modernized, and 6,500 square meters of carpet were laid in interior areas, including the Atlantik Klassik and Atlantik Mediterran restaurants, the TUI Bar, the Diamant Bar and Anckelmannsplatz.

The company said in a press release that the X-Lounge, the Surf & Turf Steakhouse, the Schaubar and the GOSCH Sylt Restaurant now feature fresh furniture. A total of more than 150 chairs, benches and sofas have been refurbished.

The Mein Schiff 5’s 25-meter pool and the pool in the lagoon on Deck 12 have been redesigned and repainted, while the exclusive sun boxes on Deck 15 have been renovated and modernized.

INDIKON filters from the Cleaner Seas Group were installed in the laundry, preventing microplastics from synthetic clothing released during washing from entering the oceans.

According to TUI, the microplastic filters are directly connected to the washing machines and filter out up to 99 percent of the microplastics from the washing water before it then enters the central wastewater aftertreatment plant. The filters are reusable.

The Mein Schiff 5 is the first ship in the fleet to be fully equipped with microplastic filters, and the integration of these filters is part of the comprehensive fleet-wide sustainability strategy, which includes, among other things, reducing single-use plastics.

The company said the aim is to continuously reduce the fleet’s ecological footprint without sacrificing comfort.

The Mein Schiff 5 starts its first voyage after its shipyard stay in Dubai and will visit Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi on its next sailing.

In March, the ship embarks on a voyage around Africa before operating in the Eastern Mediterranean during the summer season.

Trips with Mein Schiff 5 and the other ships of the Mein Schiff fleet can be booked on the company’s website.