JOI Design Creates Elegant Interiors for Mein Schiff Ships

The interior design firm JOI Design was responsible for creating the interiors aboard the Mein Schiff Relax and has also been commissioned to work on additional design elements for the upcoming Mein Schiff Flow.

According to TUI, the cruise line conducted an in-depth study of its customer base as part of a strategy to attract a more refined audience, working under the project title “InTUItion.”

For JOI Design, this marked the studio’s first experience designing for a large cruise ship: a process that, as Wiethoff explained, involved a steep learning curve.

“Everything was very clearly defined. It was great to have a very strict timeline, and we had this very clear and defined process for meetings. It really helps when you have a personal connection,” said Wiethoff.

“The final product can only be as good as the teamwork. Everybody was bundling up their forces to get the best result.”

Design Approach

The studio opted for a soothing color palette inspired by coastal tones to create a sense of calm and connection with the sea.

Wiethoff told Cruise Industry News that the ship’s public spaces benefited from expansive ocean-facing windows.

“Here, we connected inside and outside with an elegant but relaxed atmosphere. To add a glimpse of color in the lounge area on Deck 7, we integrated a berry color that hints at the sunset,” she explained.

One of the biggest challenges, according to Wiethoff, was balancing new design ideas with the established aesthetic of the Mein Schiff brand, all while staying within budget and coordinating with international partners who each had their own ways of working.

“Many new concepts come up, and it is crucial to develop a design identity and concept that sets you apart from other cruise lines. Having awareness of different clients and different target groups is very important,” she said.

Work on the Mein Schiff Flow

For the Mein Schiff Flow, JOI Design was tasked with designing key public areas including the atrium, the Captain’s Bar, and the French Bistro.

Their objective was not a complete redesign but rather to ensure continuity between the Mein Schiff Flow and the Mein Schiff Relax.

“Significant changes were not part of the contract. We changed some furniture and then we changed some surfaces,” Wiethoff explained.