Liquid Ambient Digitizes “Mein Schiff 7” – The Classic Mein Schiff Fleet Gets Its First Digital Twin
Fellbach, June 2026 – Some productions take place under ideal conditions: a shipyard, an empty ship, full deck access, not a single guest on board. And then there are productions like the Mein Schiff 7. Scanned in April 2026, while in service, on its way back from the Canary Islands to Hamburg. The entire ship. With nearly 2,900 passengers and 1,000 crew members on board.
Welcome to our everyday life.
The Mein Schiff 7 – the newest ship in the classic fleet
The Mein Schiff 7 was built in June 2024 at Meyer Turku in Finland, making it the eighth ship in the fleet—and, for now, the last of its class. With the Mein Schiff Relax (2025) and Mein Schiff Flow (2026), TUI Cruises has introduced a completely new generation of ships: the InTUItion class, built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, significantly larger, powered by LNG, and featuring a fundamentally new layout.
Mein Schiff 7, on the other hand, belongs to the tried-and-true line of ships 1 and 2—only further refined. <cite index=”8-1″>Compared to its sister ships, it features, among other things, new Asian and Italian restaurant concepts, a new café, and new concepts for the Champagner Treff and the Abtanz Bar. </cite> <cite index=”1-1″>TUI Cruises has also introduced cabins for solo travelers on Mein Schiff 7 for the first time: single interior cabins and single exterior cabins</cite>—a clear signal to a growing group of travelers. <cite index=”4-1″>The new ship is powered by lower-emission marine diesel, is equipped with catalytic converters, and has a shore power connection for virtually emission-free operation in port.</cite> In the future, conversion to green methanol is even possible.
In short: Mein Schiff 7 is the most modern ship in the classic Mein Schiff fleet—and, as of now, also the first in the fleet to have a complete 3D digital twin.
Operations in Progress: What That Means—and Why We Do It Anyway
Conducting a cruise production during normal operations is no walk in the park. No empty pool deck, no unrestricted access to every corner, no simple “quick rescan.” The team works around guests, with cleaning shifts and restaurant hours setting the pace, in hallways with foot traffic and on outdoor decks that are never truly quiet.
For Liquid Ambient, this is business as usual. Our proprietary scanning patterns and post-production workflows are designed precisely for these conditions—not for the shipyard as an exception, but for operations as the norm. The Mein Schiff 7 has impressively confirmed this: the entire ship, 15 passenger decks, <cite index=”1-1″>twelve restaurants, 17 bars, cafés, and lounges</cite>, cabins, suites, and outdoor areas—all captured in a single scan pass during the delivery voyage.
What always remains a technical challenge—whether at the shipyard or in operation:
Microvibrations—A moving ship vibrates more than one at anchor. Our algorithms filter out this interference to keep the model sharp.
Reflective surfaces—high-gloss floors, mirrors, and mirrored glass in bars and lounges. The Mein Schiff 7 has plenty of them. Our 3D artists remove artifacts in post-production at a level unmatched in the market.
Guests in the frame—scanning while the ship is in operation means people are moving through the frame. Our workflow makes them invisible—without compromising the model.
Outdoor decks at sea—the 25-meter outdoor pool, the X-Sun Deck, the Panorama Deck: While the ship is in operation on the open sea, lighting conditions, movement, and vibration all pose simultaneous challenges. With the Matterport Pro3 and LiDAR technology, we’ve mastered this combination.
The Start of a Fleet Series
Mein Schiff 7 is number one—but not the last. The digitization of the classic Mein Schiff fleet (ships 1 through 7) marks the beginning of a systematic project: making the entire TUI cruise world accessible as a navigable 3D experience.
The parallel to the AIDA project is no coincidence. Liquid Ambient has digitized the entire AIDA fleet—every ship, every class, every deck. The same model, the same consistency, now for TUI Cruises. Mein Schiff Relax (March 2025), Mein Schiff Flow (June 2026), Mein Schiff 7 (April 2026). More to follow.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Matterport tours on cruise ships, 3D digital twins for cruise lines, and our partnership with LIQUID AMBIENT:
What is a digital twin of a cruise ship?
A digital twin of a cruise ship is a complete, true-to-scale 3D replica of the entire vessel—from the cabins to the outdoor decks to the crew areas. Created using the Matterport Pro3 scanner and LiDAR technology, it enables a realistic, navigable online tour. Passengers, prospective crew members, and travel agencies can explore the ship virtually—this enhances the customer journey and has been proven to increase booking rates and conversion.
Which cruise ships has LIQUID AMBIENT already digitized?
For example, Liquid Ambient has created complete 3D digital twins of the entire AIDA fleet—including the AIDAnova and AIDAcosma (Helios class), the AIDAprima and AIDAperla (Hyperion class), and several ships of the Sphinx class. For TUI Cruises, the Mein Schiff Relax has been digitized; the Mein Schiff Flow and other ships in the TUI fleet are already in the process of being digitized.
Why is Matterport scanning so difficult on ships?
How long does it take to scan an entire cruise ship?
How much does a Matterport scan of a cruise ship cost?
Can LIQUID AMBIENT also scan hotels and other hospitality properties?
Is a scan possible during a shipyard visit (dry dock)?
About Liquid Ambient
For over 15 years, Liquid Ambient has been a technology leader in 360° and 3D tours. The company, headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, creates bespoke virtual experiences for international hotel chains, cruise lines, and tourist destinations. State-of-the-art scanning and rendering technologies – including Matterport Pro3, LiDAR and high-end CGI – deliver greater visibility, higher conversion rates and an optimised customer journey. www.liquidambient.com
Are you planning a cruise ship or hotel project?
Whether dry dock visit, turnaround day or active operation – we develop the right logistics and scanning concept for your project.
