Todays Ship in Port St. Maarten: Mein Schiff 2
Cruise ships are not just a fun holiday phenomenon for those on board, but also for tourists seeing these ships entering and leaving their ports of call. From both Great Bay Beach and Fort Amsterdam , you have a great view of seeing these massive ships dock at the Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port and superyachts in the mega yacht marina next to it. This blog series serves to provide some information on what ships are in port these days. Some facts about one of todays visiting vessels, the TUI Mein Schiff 2, that you might not know:
1. The Biggest TUI Cruise Ship Around (In 2019)
At the point Mein Schiff 2 was built by Meyer Werft in Turku, Finland, it held the joint honor of being the biggest cruise ship of the TUI fleet with the Mein Schiff 1. Both ships have a whopping length of 316 meters and are 36 meters in width. The ships have an additional deck and measured 1.20 meters longer than other TUI ships. The 2024 Mein Schiff 7 is the same length as Mein Schiff 1 and 2 but has more gross tonnage. Mein Schiff 2 offers lodgings for 2900 passengers and 1100 crew. 12 Restaurants and 15 bars were included in the ships 16 deck design.
2. German Language Vessel
As an originally German tour operator, TUI ships use the German language on board. Programs and menus are printed in German to cater to the large European language area covering Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and the larger parts of Switzerland and Luxemburg. Though many other European countries speak German as their second or third language too, other nationalities should not despair as the crew also speaks English. And for the many great things to do for when in Port on St. Maarten one day language will not be an issue in any regards.
3. German Language, but Maltese Ship
Though TUI cruises focuses on the German speaking areas, the ships official home is the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta. Nautical Malta is known for its ease of doing business for shipping companies. For those thinking this brings an interesting parallel with todays port of call St. Maarten as a small island state within the Dutch Kingdom, they would need to rethink: Dutch Side St. Maarten is an autonomous country within the Kingdom and not part of the European Union, whereas the French side is. To further confuse you Dutch side St. Maarteners do carry the European passport.
4. Euro instead of Dollar
The US Dollar is the most used currency in the Caribbean region. That also counts for most of the cruise ships docking in its seas. With its European passenger focus however, TUI Cruises deals with euros on the Mein Schiff 2.
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