Kiel is first German port of call for “Mein Schiff 5”
The brand-new TUI Cruises newbuilding “Mein Schiff 5” has arrived in Kiel – her first German port of call since being handed over in Turku, Finland, just a few days ago. The 99,500 GT, 295 m long cruise ship sailed into the Kiel Fiord early this morning, escorted by a Kiel tug and to a water fountain welcome. Thousands of visitors to the Kieler Woche sailing regatta watched from the shore as the “Mein Schiff 5” berthed at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal. At the traditional on-board reception afterwards, Kiel’s Robert Vollborn, First Deputy City President of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital, and Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL) presented a maiden visit plaque to TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meier and Captain Kjell Holm. Robert Vollborn said “Kiel is proud to be the first German port to welcome this magnificent TUI Cruises newbuilding and we are happy to be able to provide a very special framework within which the visit can take place”. “Mein Schiff 5” is in Kiel until Friday June 24th.
Dirk Claus said: “Introducing “Mein Schiff 5” at the Kieler Woche is a splendid gift to Kiel and the highlight of this year’s cruise shipping season”. During end of June and mid of July the ship is initially undertaking several short cruises and foretaste trips, and she can be seen on no fewer than five separate occasions – on June 29th and also on the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 14th of July – both in the Kiel Fiord and berthed at the Ostseekai Terminal. “The fact that the maiden voyage of “Mein Schiff 5” begins in Kiel”, said Dirk Claus, “is another expression of the longstanding and trustworthy partnership that exists between the shipowner and the port”. Her maiden voyage starting on July 16th takes “Mein Schiff 5” to the Baltic’s biggest cities. Later in the season she will begin four further cruises in Kiel. The ships of TUI Cruises have been regular visitors to the Kiel Fiord since 2009. This summer, “Mein Schiff 1”, “Mein Schiff 4” and “Mein Schiff 5” will undertake a total 29 cruises from Kiel. There will be TUI fleet get-togethers this coming Sunday June 26th when “Mein Schiff 1” und “Mein Schiff 4” meet and on both the 6th of July and the 22nd of August when both “Mein Schiff 4” and “Mein Schiff 5” will berth together at the Ostseekai Terminal.
