Jeckliner at Sunnesching: Cologne spirit sets sail from Palma

Jeckliner at Sunnesching: Cologne spirit sets sail from Palma

Four days, lots of Alaaf and a harbour that sways along

When in late summer the large ferries still make their rounds and the harbour pubs along the Passeig Mallorca slowly wind down after the high season, the Mein Schiff 2 will for a few days become a floating party stage. From 24 to 28 September 2027 a four-day cruise sets off that aims to attract carnival fans from the Rhineland and party-goers of all kinds, echoing Cologne Week at Ballermann, with Palma as both departure and return point.

The route sounds like a holiday mix: a relaxed day at sea, a stop on the French coast at La Seyne (near Toulon) and a detour to Barcelona before the voyage returns to the harbour of Palma. For the island this means a few extra movements in the clubs and restaurants around the port, more taxis on the Passeig del Born and the beach restaurants that already set tables outside on a mild September evening.

Musically it will be very Cologne: bands from the Rhineland are announced, including ensembles known to carnival revelers. Groups such as Kasalla or Miljö are listed for the programme for the first time. Also on the bill are Klüngelköpp, Die Räuber, Druckluft, Eldorado, Planschemalöör, Fiasko and Juli Voyage. Anyone who knows the songs won't sit still on board — and the pool decks will likely turn into improvised swaying zones on sunny afternoons.

In addition to live music, a comedy and show programme provides variety: formats reminiscent of carnival session humour will appear. Well-known names from the scene will take on moderation and hosting roles and lead the evening shows. DJs complement the offering and take over the musical night shift when the live stages quiet down.

The organiser names prices for the four-day trip: from €1,199 per person in an inside cabin, €1,349 for a balcony cabin, each based on double occupancy in the PRO fare and including the usual premium services of Mein Schiff. Locals might want to take a quick look: tickets for the departure days bring colourful groups into the city, and many guests use a few days on Mallorca before or after the cruise.

What this means for Palma can be observed in small everyday scenes: early in the morning, when delivery vans arrive at the market halls and the cafés on the Plaça Major set tables, waiters are already talking about reservations that came in because of the cruise. Taxi drivers know the routine times when groups go ashore, and the souvenir stalls at the harbour have long since adjusted to colourful scarves and carnival caps.

Events like this help extend the tourist season. For bars, restaurants and small service providers at the harbour there is short-term demand outside the usual holiday months. Those who want to enjoy Palma as residents can watch the departure or arrival spectacle from the Passeig del Born or the Passeig Marítim: ships, music and the excited mix of costumed guests and locals make for an unusually cheerful scene.

A brief look ahead: if the combination of festival and cruise format, a growing trend highlighted in Cruise Awards 2025: Palma in Focus, succeeds, the event could call again in future. For the city administration and port operators this means planning — for the neighbourhood a bit more activity in quieter months. Those who are curious should check in good time whether there are public events on land to accompany arrivals and departures; sometimes local bars and organisers stage accompanying concerts or after-show meetups.

No worries for those who aren't into carnival: the ship only stays briefly and the normal harbour scene remains intact. For everyone else it means music in the ears, sea views and a touch of Alaaf over the bay of Palma — an unusual meeting that gives the island a loud, colourful weekend.

Practical tip: If you want to watch the departure, the Passeig del Born or the harbour mole are good vantage points. For guests who want to extend the festival feeling, local taverns in the old town or bars at the harbour are worthwhile; they often bring together older traditions and new visitors.