By
Laura Hyde |
TUI Cruises has christened Mein Schiff 7 at an onboard ceremony in the Bay of Kiel in Germany.
The ship’s godmother Fenia Kalachani, who has been an environmental officer onboard the Mein Schiff fleet since 2020, was joined on the pool deck shortly after sunset by Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, to officially christen the vessel, which made its debut on 16 June.
“The christening of Mein Schiff 7 is a very special celebration for TUI Cruises, which we celebrated in the Kiel Fjord,” said Meier. “The first christening in the Mein Schiff fleet since 2019 is a wonderful moment for the guests, the crew, the employees and everyone involved, but also for me personally.”
Guests onboard Mein Schiff 7 were treated to an ensemble performance, led by dancer and choreographer Chris Cross and a show with 400 drones recreating images of the cruise line’s fleet. At 23:00 CEST, Kalachani continued a maritime tradition by breaking a bottle of champagne at the bow of the ship while announcing “I hereby christen you with the name Mein Schiff 7”.
“I was proud to recite the christening speech on behalf of the entire Mein Schiff crew and all employees and to celebrate the official naming of Mein Schiff 7 with the traditional and ceremonial smashing of the champagne bottle,” said Kalachani. “It was a moment that will stay in my heart forever.”
From left: Ship captain Omar Caruana, ship godmother Fenia Kalachani and TUI Cruises’ CEO Wybcke Meier at the christening ceremony on 22 June 2024
German music artist Ben Zucker concluded the official ceremony with a live concert before the christening party got underway. “It is a particularly exciting moment to be part of this spectacular christening show and to inspire the guests on Mein Schiff 7 with my songs,” said Zucker.
Thousands of onlookers also watched the spectacular drone show and christening live from the Kiellinie promenade onshore.
Following the christening voyage, Mein Schiff 7 will set off on its maiden cruise to Norway. The ship will spend the summer season sailing eight- to 17-day itineraries between Norway and Kiel, before moving to the Baltic Sea in mid-August. Mein Schiff 7 will then spend winter season sailing the Canary Islands, with cruises starting and ending in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Highlights of the christening ceremony were shared on YouTube