Mein Schiff 5 as a TV Set: New 'Miss Merkel' Crime Film Shot at Sea

For the cruise line TUI Cruises, producing a crime comedy on board one of its ships was a first. A large production team and a prominent cast transformed the "Mein Schiff 5" into a floating film studio. The lead role is once again played by Katharina Thalbach, who portrays the astute former Chancellor Angela Merkel, this time tasked with solving a murder case on the open Atlantic.

The four-week shoot took place at the beginning of the year under real-life conditions during a regular cruise operation. This allowed both the crew and passengers to experience the filming process up close. Some guests were even given the opportunity to participate in the production as extras, becoming part of the story themselves.

Clas Eckholt, Vice President Commercial at TUI Cruises, commented on the project: "Implementing this film project on board was an exceptional experience for us. The filming not only offered an exciting experience for our crew and guests but also impressively demonstrated the flexibility of our ships. The 'Mein Schiff 5' integrated perfectly into the plot and provided an authentic setting for the TV crime story. It is precisely this versatility that makes our fleet unique."

What is "Murder on the High Seas" about?

In the story, Angela Merkel embarks on an Atlantic cruise with her husband Achim (portrayed by Thorsten Merten) and her bodyguard Mike (played by Tim Kalkhof). The trip is intended not only to offer the former chancellor a break from everyday life but also to provide inspiration for her new hobby: solving criminal cases. However, the anticipated relaxation is abruptly interrupted when bestselling author Florian Watzek (Stephan Luca) dies under mysterious circumstances on the very first evening. As other successful crime authors are also on board, they quickly become the main suspects. For the passionate amateur detective Merkel, a new, tricky case begins on the high seas.