TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 was launched today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

Following a construction period of 14 months, Ferdinand Strohmeier, Vice President Operations TUI Cruises, was on hand for the float out ceremony at the yard.

Together with Dr. Jan Meyer, head of the shipyard, and other members of the Mein Schiff 5 project team, he opened the bulkheads to flood the dry dock.

Mein Schiff 5 will now be towed to the outfitting pier near the shipyard where the interior and exterior areas will be fitted out over the coming months.

A total of 1,500 employees are currently involved in the construction of the vessel, and with 72 percent of the work complete, the shipyard is right on schedule.