The series, about a cruise ship that travels to places around the world, debuted in 1981 and became one of the most-watched television shows in Germany.

It was primarily filmed and set aboard the MS Deutschland cruise ship as it sailed to tourist destinations around the world.

Romances excluded, the films are reminiscent of the times when sea voyages were more affordable and safer than air travel, at the turn of the 19th century.

It presented a place where all kinds of people appeared as guests and could hereby show a variety of extraordinary characters, fates, schemes and relationships.

When Weiss left the character of Hansen in 1999, he was replaced by Captain Jakob Paulsen, played by Siegfried Rauch.