TUI's newbuild - Mein Schiff 2 sailed under her own power from Finland to Kiel Germany, where arrived on January 5, still under the Finnish flag, as the vessel has not been delivered yet. The shipyard decided to move it to Germany for last sea trials and final fitting out, as the yard in Finland is beginning to freeze up.
Sistership Mein Schiff 1 (2018-launched) had to be accompanied by a large icebreaker to exit the Turku yard, so Meyer is trying to avoid the expense with Schiff 2.
The official handover is planned for January 22 at Kiel. It will be followed by a travel industry voyage to Hamburg. The first official cruise is expected to leave Bremerhaven on January 29, while the christening festivities will be held in Lisbon on February 9, 2019.
The current Schiff 2 (ex-Celebrity Mercury) will be renamed Mein Schiff Herz prior to the delivery of the newbuild taking on its name.