Lloyd Werft to convert Mercury into Mein Schiff 2

Currently sailing as Celebrity's Mercury, the vessel will depart Baltimore in February and sail across the Atlantic arriving in Bremerhaven to go straight into the drydock on March 14.

The €50m conversion will involve up to 2,000 workers including yard employees and subcontractors. Lloyd Werft won the contract to transform Galaxy into Mein Schiff 1 so knows TUI well.

'Given the very positive experience with Lloyd Werft in transforming Mein Schiff 1 in 2009, we are convinced that we have the right partner to implement and redesign  our second ship,' remarked Richard Vogel, ceo of TUI Cruises.

'We are delighted that TUI Cruises has chosen us to renovate its second ship,' said Rudiger Pallentin, spokesman for Lloyd Werft.

As with the previous renovation, extra balcony cabins will be added resulting in 422 of the 646 outside cabins having a balcony. In the public spaces the fitness and spa areas will be increased and dining facilities expanded.

Following the makeover Mein Schiff 2 will be named in Hamburg on May 14 before departing one day later for her maiden voyage to the UK, France, Belgium and Sweden.