The launching of the latest TUI cruise ship named “Mein Schiff 6” supposed to be the highlight of the  German cruise line, TUI Cruises. However, the fireworks and christening ceremony were overshadowed by the incident that occurred on the test voyage in mid-May. The respected German cruise website Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten reports that Hamburg Police is investigating alleged rape aboard Mein Schiff 6. According to the report two men at the age of 27 and 30 were accused of raping British woman, and the 30-year-old male is TUI Cruises employee 

Test sailing before officially launching the new cruise ship in May was the first voyage with passengers at sea. One of the two men had met a British woman at the bar where they had consumed lots of alcohol and later went to his cabin where his friend was already asleep. The report states that shortly after all three engage in sexual activity together. The next morning the woman reported the rape by two men, who were then taken into custody, after the arrival of Mein Schiff 6 in Hamburg. The men deny the accusation of rape and said that they had consensual sex. After 20 hours in the police station, they were released.

TUI Cruises confirmed the incident in a short statement saying “We confirm that on board Mein Schiff 6 during a short cruise, the incident occurred. The incident is an accusation of rape.”

It is unclear if the TUI employee involved in the incident was working on board, or if it was a shore-side employee.