Letter

I Had to Be There

kers_thei wrote to us once before — last month, about the night Survivor gave music back to her in Cologne. A few weeks later, she boarded the Mein Schiff 1 on her first cruise, her first solo trip, her first meet & greet — three firsts in one week. This is what she sent back when she came home.

5 May 20265 min readby kers_theifrom on board Mein Schiff 1

“LETTER · FROM ON BOARD💌

• • •

When David announced the cruise, everything in me said, I have to be there.

The booking process was chaotic but ultimately successful, and then it was a matter of waiting and anticipation. First, a nearly 1.5-hour drive to the airport, then from the airport to Mallorca — and I could already see the ship from the plane 🥰

I had no idea what to expect.

I hadn't taken a vacation since 2019. I'd never been on vacation alone before. I'd never been on a cruise. I'd never been to a meet & greet.

I knew the people from concerts — on a stage, right in front of me — but nothing more. Now I was sitting on the ship waiting for my cabin and had the pleasure of meeting new people. No matter who I talked to, one common topic was always David, and this often led to wonderful conversations with great people.

• • •

There was a presentation from management, the “stand-in” bassist, the sound engineer, and the drummer and guitarist/arrangement team. It was all very interesting, and I was intrigued. There was also a panel discussion with David, an autograph session, and of course the concerts, and much more. I was overwhelmed 🥰 — and that was all just theory.

Then everyday life came along, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Even before I got to my cabin for the first time, I ran into David's parents 🙈. Before dinner I met John and his family, as well as the sound engineer. The next day I also saw Franck, Bodi and Roberto.

I didn't want to disturb them, but they were there… right among us… just like that.

And that alone was enough to create a special atmosphere. And then when they took us behind the scenes with their presentations… it was a dream come true.

And this dream was huge 😅 — because when we later took pictures together, I realized how big they were. I hadn't expected that 😅🙈

They were all so nice. The presentations were interesting. The conversations were great 🥰

• • •

Mein Schiff 1 · April-May 2026 · photograph by kers_thei

Photographs by kers_thei · on board Mein Schiff 1, April-May 2026

• • •

I would do it again in a heartbeat — and am so grateful for all the experiences, the concert, and all the wonderful people I got to know 🙏🥰

— kers_thei · from on board Mein Schiff 1, May 2026

• • •

This is the second piece kers_thei has sent the Society. Her first — I Love Music: The Night Survivor Gave It Back — was about Cologne, last April. Both pieces are hers, lightly edited only for translation. Photographs from on board courtesy of kers_thei. Read alongside Ingeborg's letter from the same cruise (also in the Stories) and the Mein Schiff 1 section of our Gallery.

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