Tourexpi
The
event culminated in a drone show and fireworks, showcasing the feel-good ship
against the backdrop of Kiel. The spectacular images projected from Mein Schiff
7 into the night sky were clearly visible from afar, especially to visitors of
Kiel Week and Mein Schiff fans on the Kiellinie promenade.
Guests
of Mein Schiff 7 were eagerly anticipating the event on the high seas. Then,
shortly after sunset, the time had finally come: Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI
Cruises, opened the official christening ceremony on the pool deck to mark the
naming of Mein Schiff 7. The guests were treated to an impressive ensemble
performance, led by dancer and choreographer Chris Cross, which invited them to
dream and sent them to “seventh heaven”. A spectacular drone show with 400
drones also provided unforgettable moments. In addition to the countdown to the
christening, Kiel’s night sky was filled with images of the feel-good fleet. At
around 11.00 p.m., the ship’s godmother got things underway by breaking the
bottle of champagne at the bow of the ship. “I hereby christen you with the
name Mein Schiff 7,” announced godmother Fenia Kalachani. The crowning glory of
the event was provided by live act Ben Zucker with his exclusive christening
concert before the legendary 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," says Ben
Zucker. With his unmistakable voice and songs such as “Was für eine geile Zeit”
and “Na so?!”, the surprise star guest ensured plenty of goosebump moments on
the high seas. His new single "Wir stoßen an" was recently released
and he will be going on a major arena tour in fall 2024.
“The
christening of Mein Schiff 7 is a very special celebration for TUI Cruises,
which we celebrated in the Kiel Fjord. 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,” said Wybcke Meier, CEO of
TUI Cruises.
Godmother
Fenia Kalachani takes centre stage
Special
occasions call for special dresses: Gomother Fenia Kalachani stunned in her
elegant gala dress. As the environmental officer on the Mein Schiff fleet,
Fenia represents the entire crew – both on board and ashore. The employees of
the Hamburg-based shipping company came up with something very special to mark
the occasion: A christening gown specially designed for Fenia Kalachani by the
employees themselves. The result was a stunning dress that combined the uniform
of the environmental officer with a lightly draped pleated dress. The blue
colour and asymmetrical shape are reminiscent of the gentle waves of the sea,
perfectly reflecting the maritime theme.
“It
was a particularly moving moment when I had the honour of christening our
newest fleet member. 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. It was a moment that will stay in my heart forever,” said
Fenia Kalachani.
Celebrities
and Mein Schiff fans welcome Mein Schiff 7
This
year, the christening of Mein Schiff 7 by TUI Cruises was primarily dedicated
to the fans of the Mein Schiff fleet. Around 2,500 guests, including many new
but also long-standing loyal fans of the feel-good fleet, had booked the
exclusive christening ceremony during the launch cruise from and to Kiel. Those
on board included celebrity guests such as Andrea Kathrin Loewig, Bettina
Cramer, Gerrit & Anja Kling, Natascha Ochsenknecht, Maximilian Arland, Nova
Meierhenrich, Nina Bott, Yasmina Filali, Sabine Kaack, Jo Wünsche, Cheryl
Shepard, Oliver Wnuk, Philipp Boy, Felix Nieder and invited day guests.
Thousands of onlookers on land also watched the spectacular drone show and
christening of Mein Schiff 7 live from the Kiellinie promenade.
Captain,
maiden voyage and first season of Mein Schiff 7
Mein
Schiff 7 set sail on its launch cruise on Friday. At the helm: Captain Omar
Caruana, who had already supervised the construction of Mein Schiff 7 at the
shipyard. Throughout the summer, Mein Schiff 7 will be used for 8- to 17-day
voyages between Norway and Kiel. From mid-August, guests can then discover the
highlights of the new ship on 8- to 10-day Baltic Sea cruises from/to
Warnemünde. In winter 24/25, the youngest member of the fleet will spend the
majority of the season around the islands of eternal spring. The cruises will
start and end in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
Information
on bookings and prices:
- The
cruise “14 nights – Norway with North Cape & Trondheim” with Mein Schiff 7
from/to Kiel from 24 July to 7 August 2024 is available from EUR 3,399 per
person in an outside cabin with Mein Schiff Premium inclusive services based on
double occupancy and from EUR 4,199 per person in a balcony cabin based on
double occupancy, both in the PUR tariff.
- The
cruise “5 nights – Norway meets MeerBeats” with Mein Schiff 7 from Warnemünde
to Hamburg from 22 to 27 September 2024 is available from EUR 999 per person in
an inside cabin with Mein Schiff Premium inclusive services based on double
occupancy and from EUR 1,099 per person in a balcony cabin based on double
occupancy, both in the PUR tariff.
Mein
Schiff 7 cruises can be booked in a travel agency, on www.meinschiff.com or
by telephone on +49 40 60001-5111.
Image
Credit: © TUI Cruises
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