Mein Schiff 5 Returns From Dubai Drydock With Microplastic Filters
Cruise lines are turning routine refits into climate and ocean upgrades, and TUI’s microplastic-filter rollout shows how sustainability is moving from pledges to hardware.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 has completed an 11-day drydock in Dubai, returning to service on January 20, 2026, after a program that combined technical work, a public-area refresh and new environmental equipment.
The 2016-built ship, which accommodates about 2,500 guests, paused revenue operations on January 8 and entered the shipyard for a scheduled yard period running through January 19.
Dubai drydock: timeline and preparations on arrival
In a video shared during the ship’s arrival, General Manager Stephan Zimmermann described the final approach into the drydock and the preparations required before the dock could be emptied.
“We are in a drydock in Dubai,” Zimmermann said, adding that the ship departed its berth around midday and traveled a short distance to the facility. He said the vessel was held in position by lines and that lifeboats and tender boats were lowered and stored nearby ahead of the drydock being emptied.
High-traffic public areas refreshed
TUI Cruises said the Dubai stay included a broad update of guest-facing spaces, with work aimed at modernizing the look and feel of key venues.
A major component was replacing about 6,500 square meters of carpet across interior areas. The carpet installation covered venues including the Atlantik Klassik and Atlantik Mediterran restaurants, as well as spaces such as the TUI Bar, the Diamant Bar, Anckelmannsplatz, the Schaubar and the GOSCH Sylt Restaurant.
Furnishings were also updated across several guest-accessible areas, including new furniture in the X-Lounge, the Surf & Turf Steakhouse, the Schaubar and the GOSCH Sylt Restaurant. In addition, more than 150 pieces of seating and lounge furniture, including chairs, benches and sofas, were refurbished.
TUI Cruises also refreshed some accommodations, including updates to select suites, alongside the work carried out in restaurants and bars.
Entertainment, sports areas and other venue technical upgrades
Beyond cosmetic improvements, the yard period included technical updates in major venues.
“We’re getting a new LED wall in the theater,” Zimmermann said. He added that the theater sound system was being retuned and that the scoreboard in the arena was being replaced.
Open-deck updates: pools, lagoon area and sun boxes
The program extended to outdoor guest areas, with TUI Cruises repainting and redesigning the ship’s 25-meter pool and the pool located in the lagoon area on Deck 12.
On Deck 15, the ship’s exclusive sun boxes were renovated and modernized, part of a wider effort to align open-deck spaces with the refreshed interior areas.
Microplastic filtration installed in the laundry system
TUI Cruises said Mein Schiff 5 is the first ship in its fleet to be fully equipped with INDIKON microplastic filters from the Cleaner Seas Group, installed in the ship’s laundry facilities.
According to the company, the reusable filters connect directly to washing machines and are designed to remove up to 99 percent of microplastics released when synthetic textiles are washed, capturing the particles before the water flows to the ship’s central wastewater aftertreatment plant. TUI Cruises said the installation supports its broader sustainability strategy, which also includes reducing single-use plastics and efforts to enhance the energy efficiency of ship operations.
Service resumes January 20 with Middle East itineraries, then repositioning to Europe
After leaving drydock, Mein Schiff 5 is set to continue its 2025-26 winter season in the Middle East, operating seven-night itineraries sailing from Dubai and Doha. Calls include ports across the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, with destinations including Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Muscat in Oman.
TUI Cruises plans for the months ahead include repositioning voyages beginning in early March, with routing toward Spain and Africa, followed by a voyage around Africa in March and an Eastern Mediterranean summer season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will Mein Schiff 5 return to passenger service after the Dubai drydock?
The ship paused revenue operations on January 8, 2026, and is scheduled to welcome guests back on January 20, 2026.
What updates were made to Mein Schiff 5 during the yard period?
TUI Cruises’ Dubai program included replacing about 6,500 square meters of carpet in public areas, updating and refurbishing furniture across multiple venues, adding a new LED wall in the theater, retuning the theater sound system, and replacing the scoreboard in the arena. The ship also saw updates to select suites, along with refreshed outdoor areas including the 25-meter pool, the lagoon-area pool on Deck 12 and the sun boxes on Deck 15.
What do the new laundry microplastic filters do?
TUI Cruises said the INDIKON filters connect directly to washing machines to capture microplastics released from synthetic textiles during washing, removing up to 99 percent from the wash water before it reaches the ship’s central wastewater aftertreatment plant. The company said the filters are reusable.
Where will Mein Schiff 5 sail after the refurbishment?
After returning to service on January 20, 2026, the ship is scheduled to operate seven-night Middle East cruises from Dubai and Doha, calling in the UAE, Oman and Qatar, including Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. In early March, it is expected to begin repositioning voyages toward Europe via Spain and Africa before an Eastern Mediterranean summer season.
