TUI ship makes her maiden call at new homeport following delivery from Meyer Turku
By
Rebecca Gibson |
TUI Cruises’ newbuild Mein Schiff 5 arrived in Kiel on 23 June, the first German port she visited after being delivered by Meyer Turku in Finland on 20 June.
The 99,500gt ship, was escorted through the Kiel Fiord by a Kiel tug displaying a water fountain and berthed at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal.
To mark her arrival, TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meier and Captain Kjell Holm hosted an onboard plaque exchanged ceremony with Robert Vollborn, First Deputy City President of Kiel, and Dirk Claus, managing director of the Port of Kiel.
“Kiel is proud to be the first German port to welcome this magnificent TUI Cruises newbuild and we are happy to be able to provide a very special framework within which the visit can take place,” said Vollborn.
Mein Schiff 5 arrived in Kiel during the annual Kieler Woche sailing regatta and stayed until 24 June.
“Introducing Mein Schiff 5 at the Kieler Woche is a splendid gift to Kiel and the highlight of this year’s cruise shipping season,” said Claus.
The ship will return to Kiel on 29 June, and on 3, 6, 10 and 14 July – both in the Kiel Fiord and berthed at the Ostseekai Terminal. Mein Schiff 5 will then depart Kiel for her maiden voyage on 16 July, taking guests to some of the biggest cities in the Baltic. Later in the season she will begin four further cruises in Kiel.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff fleet has visited Kiel regularly since 2009 and this summer, Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 will offer a total 29 cruises from the port. On 26 June, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 4 will both be in port at the same time, while Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 will meet at the Ostseekai Terminal on 6 July and 22 August.
“The fact that the maiden voyage of Mein Schiff 5 begins in Kiel is another expression of the longstanding and trustworthy partnership that exists between the shipowner and the port,” said Claus.