The evening’s center of attention was 262.5 meters long, 32 meters wide, weighed 76,998 gross register tons and is the first ship of TUI Cruises: The “Mein Schiff” was christened in a grand ceremony at the St. Pauli Fish Market in Hamburg, Germany. Renowned artists, such as Udo Lindenberg and Jan Delay, celebrated the “Mein Schiff” and sent it off to its great voyage. Multi-faceted artist Ina Müller, being the godmother, was given a very special role: Around 09.20 p.m., she recited the baptismal verse in Low German before smashing the champaign bottle on the bow of the “Mein Schiff”.
The christening event began at 8 p.m., when the “Mein Schiff” set off from the cruise terminal and headed for the Fish Market. Among the passengers were various high-profile individuals, such as ARD news anchor Jan Hofer, Martin Kind, president of football club Hannover 96, and the actors Marion Kracht, Thomas Heinze, Kostja Ullmann and Michael Roll. A total of 44 passenger boats, sailing boats and barges joined the ship on its journey. The passengers aboard these accompanying boats enjoyed premium spots to witness the christening from. These floating VIP boxes provided the best views of the events in their own individual settings.
An emotional highlight of the christening ceremony at the fish market was the world premiere of the ship’s anthem at 9 p.m. The anthem by the name of “Ocean of love”, composed by Frank Nimsgern, was not presented by Anna Netrebko, as initially planned, but by Aino Laos. Since, unfortunately, Anna Netrebko became indisposed at short notice, she was not able to sing herself, but instead wished the “Mein Schiff” all the best from the stage at the Fish Market. “With Aino Laos, we have found one of the most distinguished pop music and musical singers in Germany, and one who has worked together with Frank Nimsgern for years,” said Richard J. Vogel. And the singer has a very personal relation to the song, having written not only the lyrics for “Ocean of love”, but for the whole Aqua Show.
Udo Lindenberg and Jan Delay, too, extended a musical salutation to the “Mein Schiff”. In a duet – Udo on board the ship and Jan on stage at the Fish Market – they built a musical bridge between the “Mein Schiff” and the shore.
“Hamburg says Bye” – with a musical salutation chanted by all of the guests at the Fish Market and backed by a children’s choir, the “Mein Schiff” was sent off to its christening voyage at 9.40 p.m. “We were trying to demonstrate the diversity of the ‘Mein Schiff’ in our christening ceremony, and I think we were successful,” said Richard J. Vogel.
The parties aboard the “Mein Schiff” and at the Fish Market went on until late at night. While Ina Müller and Udo Lindenberg each gave their own exclusive concert on board, Jan Delay heated up the atmosphere with a concert at the Fish Market.
TUI Cruises is a joint venture of TUI AG and the US-American cruise liner Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The newly founded company, based in Hamburg, Germany, will be offering premium cruises for the German-speaking market starting from May 2009. TUI Cruises’ concept is targeted mainly at couples and families who appreciate space, abundance, quality and service in a cruise. The „Mein Schiff“, the first vessel in the fleet, is a four-star plus ship. Throughout the first season, TUI Cruises will be offering Nordic and Baltic Sea cruises from May to September. From September to early November, the „Mein Schiff“ will then head for the western Mediterranean Sea. Cruises through the Caribbean will be available from November 2009 to March 2010.
