Mein Schiff 5 makes inaugural visit

SEVEN years ago Barbados welcomed Captain Kjell Holm and his crew on board the Mein Schiff to the island’s shores.

 

Yesterday, Captain Holm returned to Barbados with a practically new German vessel, this time the Mein Schiff 5 on its inaugural visit, musing to local officials that a lot has happened since 2009.

 

He was greeted by a contingent led by Kenneth Atherley, Divisional, Manager Corporate Development and Strategy of the Bridgetown Port Inc., as well as Chief Executive Officer of Foster & Ince Cruises Martin Ince, where commemorative plaques were exchanged for the inaugural visit. The officials also had an opportunity to discuss some of the changes seen at the port since the captain’s last visit.

 

Schiff 5 is the third among the newer cruise ships of the line. It uses highly innovative technology for environmentally-friendly ship operations. It was explained that each ship in this series consumes 30 per cent less energy in comparison with vessels of similar size.

 

 

The newest of the TUI cruises will soon be joined by the Mein Schiff 6 and 7 and 8 expected in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

 

After spending the summer operating varied cruises to the Baltic, Norway, Northern and Western Europe, Schiff 5 sailed into the Bridgetown Port bringing over 2 000 passengers and 1 000 crew on-board the massive ship, which offers a premium exclusive package to passengers.

 

The two-week transatlantic voyage began in Palma De Mallorca, to Malaga, Gibraltar, Canaries (Arrecife), Cape Verde (Mindelo), Barbados, Guadeloupe (Pointe A Pitre) and BVI (Tortola) and ends in la Romana (Dominican Republic).

 

Captain Holm proudly showed guests special features of the ship, which he had a hand in designing. The state-of-the-art vessel includes a spectacular theatre, lavish restaurants including a sushi bar, fitness centre, spa, games rooms, cafes as well as a chamber music room with concert hall simulating acoustics.