Austria
After last week’s festivities at the launching ceremony for the new Mein Schiff 1, the previous Mein Schiff 1 will now set sail as Marella Explorer. At a length of around 265 metres and a width of 32 metres, she is now the largest member of the fleet operated by our British subsidiary Marella Cruises. On Thursday, the latest addition to the fleet will be christened in the port of Palma.
Within just four weeks, the vessel underwent an extensive refurbishment. Around 1,600 people – from partners and contractors all the way to the Marella Cruises team – performed more than 200,000 working hours in order to deliver the different projects for the ship’s make-over. Apart from the longest bar on a cruise ship, Marella Explorer also boasts the first Champneys Spa at sea.
In order to choose remarkable individuals with significance for the ship, very special godmothers were picked for the new fleet member. For the first time, two employees showing exceptional commitment and enthusiasm for Marella Cruises will christen the ship: Susan Stewart, Hotel Operations Manager Marella Cruises, and Mandy Galloway, travel agent from Edinburgh, will have the honour to name Marella Explorer in the port of Palma on 17 May 2018.
Susan Stewart was informed by her boss during a meeting: “I’m just absolutely thrilled beyond belief. I couldn’t possibly feel any more valued than this, I just feel really special. We have lots of different recognition and reward schemes, but this is over and above – it’s a forever thing”. “Just to be part of it all, it’ll be really special. I’ll treasure the moment and will remember it forever.” Mandy Galloway commented on the ship naming event.
With the commissioning of Marella Explorer, TUI Group consistently continues to deliver its cruise strategy. In summer 2019, Marella Cruises will take of delivery a further ship, Marella Explorer 2. The German cruise subsidiaries TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will also take delivery of additional ships in 2018, 2019 and 2023 in order to further expand their market position. TUI currently operates a total of 16 cruise ships.
