Mein Schiff 7 and 8 Become 1 and 2; Oldest Ships Go to Thomson

   June 24, 2016 ,   Cruise Industry

TUI's newbuilds, scheduled for delivery in 2018 and 2019 by Meyer Turku, will enter service as Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2.

They were previously designated Mein Schiff 7 and 8, but Schiff 1 and 2 go to Thomson Cruises within TUI Group.

In 2019, TUI will feature a fleet numbered Mein Schiff 1 to 6, with all units of the same standard, purpose-built for the operator. Mein Schiff 1 and 2 were originally Celebrity ships.

Wybcke Meier (TUI's CEO) announced the news during the plaque exchange ceremony aboard the recently delivered Schiff 5 at Port Kiel on June 23, Thursday. Meier highlighted the close ties between Kiel and TUI, noting that both current Mein Schiff 1 and 2 started their career with in the port. Last year the port of Kiel served as the venue for the naming ceremony of Schiff 4.

The naming of Mein Schiff 5 will also begin in Kiel, Germany. At 3 p.m. on July 15, the ship will sail from the port bound for Travemünde, where the naming will take place off the beach between 10:30 p.m.-11 p.m. After that, Schiff 5 will return to Kiel, scheduled to dock on July 16 at 7 a.m. The short naming cruise is fully booked.

Lena Meyer-Landrut is Mein Schiff 5's godmother, 1991-born German songwriter and singer.