The top crew members in command on “Mein Schiff“, the first TUI Cruises ship, have now been appointed. Kjell Holm (59) is to take command of the bridge as Captain, whilst Axel Sorger (41) will be the General Manager responsible for the hotel operations on the four-star-plus ship.

The Finn Kjell Holm looks back on a long career at sea. He grew up on the south coast of Finland and in 1983 became a captain with the Swedish shipping company Wallenius, for whom he worked for 16 years. During this time Holm spent a period of five years in Bremerhaven, where he learned to speak fluent German. His most recent positions were with the Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises, where he worked as a captain for 14 years.

TUI Cruises is pleased to have gained an experienced General Manager in Axel Sorger. The qualified hotel specialist sailed the seas as hotel manager on the MS Arkona for the Deutsche Seereederei from 2000 to 2002. Subsequently he held positions with the shipping companies Aida Cruises and Arosa, where he was em-ployed as hotel manager and general manager.

Richard J. Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises, emphasized the great significance of these two key positions: “During the coming weeks Captain Holm and Axel Sorger will play a decisive part in the final preparations for ensuring the success of TUI Cruises. Both of them possess the essential experience and character needed for their position and I am certainly looking forward to working together with them.“