TUI Cruises Cancels Mein Schiff 4 and 5 Sailings Through March 2026

TUI Cruises has extended cancellations for Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 through late March 2026 after conflict in the Middle East left the ships unable to operate published itineraries and reposition out of the Arabian Gulf.

Strait of Hormuz disruption strands Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5

Mein Schiff 4 remains docked in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, while Mein Schiff 5 is docked in Doha, Qatar. TUI Cruises has linked the cancellations to regional conditions that have made maritime operations and repositioning plans, including toward South Africa and onward to Europe for the summer season, impossible under current guidance.

The Hamburg-based cruise line said it is relying on travel and security guidance from Germany’s Foreign Office and has framed the decision around guest and crew safety. “We are continuously assessing the situation and making decisions based on current official recommendations,” the company said in a statement.

How far the cancellations now extend

TUI Cruises said the scope of the cancellations expanded in stages as the situation persisted, beginning with late February and early March departures from Dubai and Doha before later updates pushed the window deeper into March and, for some itineraries, into April.

• Mein Schiff 4: all sailings canceled through March 23, 2026
• Mein Schiff 5: all sailings canceled through March 29, 2026

TUI Cruises said it has been contacting affected passengers directly. “All affected passengers have been directly informed of the cancellations by its teams,” the company said, adding: “Should further adjustments become necessary, we will promptly and proactively contact the booked guests.”

In a March 3, 2026 update, the company said guests still onboard were being supported as advisories remained unchanged: “Our guests are still onboard the Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5. They are being well cared for and provided for,” TUI Cruises said.

Repositioning voyages and Mediterranean plans removed from the schedule

The extended cancellation window also swept up longer itineraries intended to bring the ships back into European service.

Mein Schiff 5 had been scheduled to depart March 29, 2026, on a 19-night repositioning voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, with planned calls in Namibia, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and the United Kingdom. TUI Cruises had also planned Mediterranean departures for Mein Schiff 5 in April, including sailings departing April 17 and April 24.

For the April 17 itinerary, the ship was scheduled to depart Palma de Mallorca and route toward Heraklion, Greece, with planned calls including Palermo (Italy), Valletta (Malta), and Greek ports including Piraeus and Chania. The April 24 cruise was planned as a roundtrip sailing from Heraklion with calls in Greece and Turkey, including Istanbul, as well as Greek ports such as Mykonos, Piraeus and Chania.

Mein Schiff 4 was scheduled to return to guest service in Cape Town with a repositioning cruise departing April 11, 2026, sailing to Palma de Mallorca over 20 nights, but that voyage was also later canceled as the ships remained unable to resume normal operations. TUI Cruises had also listed repositioning plans connecting the Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean, including routes that would have explored destinations such as South Africa, Namibia, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands.

Guest repatriation and reduced onboard operations

TUI Cruises said it has carried out a multi-step operation to return guests home from both ships, citing constraints such as limited flight availability as the situation developed. In one update, the company said it was working with airlines so guests could plan return travel “given the ongoing dynamic situation in the region and limited flight connections.”

For Mein Schiff 5, TUI Cruises said it completed the evacuation of approximately 2,500 guests from Doha after the conflict escalated on Feb. 28. The company said the effort included charter flights routed from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to German airports including Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne, with guests traveling by bus from Doha to Riyadh and completing entry formalities en route, while other guests departed on Qatar Airways flights from Doha.

Across the two ships, TUI Cruises has described repatriation on a larger scale, saying it repatriated nearly 10,000 passengers and approximately 1,500 crew members. The company has also said that more than 5,000 guests were collectively onboard the two vessels when the conflict intensified, and that both ships will remain docked until further notice.

After guests left, the company said portions of the crew were also repatriated, with additional crew members scheduled to follow. Onboard operations were scaled back to minimum levels, with Mein Schiff 4 reported to have only 59 crew members remaining to maintain essential ship functions. Captain Jan Fortun and the reduced team have remained prepared to depart the region if conditions allow safe transit.

Crisis coordination and support for crew families

TUI Cruises said it is operating under crisis-management procedures while coordinating with the German Foreign Office, embassies, international security experts, and security teams connected to its ownership structure. TUI Cruises is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, with each holding a 50% stake.

“The primary objective now remains the safety and well-being of the remaining crew onboard,” the company said in multiple updates.

To support relatives of those still at sea, TUI Cruises said it established an information hotline for families of crew members still onboard. The hotline is available Monday to Friday at +800 5353 3333, and questions can also be sent by email to [email protected].

Abu Dhabi drone incident near Mein Schiff 4

During the disruption period, TUI Cruises reported an incident near Mein Schiff 4 that heightened concern for guests in Abu Dhabi. On March 1, two missile-armed drones crashed in Port Zayed near the ship, striking a warehouse area and triggering fires that produced visible smoke from the vessel.

TUI Cruises said no injuries were reported onboard and the ship did not sustain damage. Guests were instructed to follow emergency protocols, including avoiding outer decks and windows, while crew managed shipboard procedures until the situation stabilized.

Other cruise operators also halt Gulf operations

The disruption has affected other cruise lines operating in the region. MSC Cruises canceled the remainder of its 2025-26 winter season, with MSC Euribia remaining docked in Dubai under safety protocols. Celestyal Cruises also confirmed cancellations for Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, which were unable to reposition due to regional tension, while Aroya Cruises announced a suspension of all voyages planned for the season.

TUI Cruises said the next milestones for booked passengers depend on when Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 can reposition safely and resume published deployments, while the company continues to monitor official guidance and assess options for restoring schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why were the Strait of Hormuz closures significant?

The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. TUI Cruises has said the disruption has prevented its ships from accessing routes needed to reposition to other regions, leaving vessels docked in Abu Dhabi and Doha.

How are repatriated guests being compensated?

TUI Cruises has said affected passengers are being offered a choice between future cruise credits or full refunds for canceled departures, and that guests should contact their original travel providers to discuss next steps.

What is the current status of Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5?

Mein Schiff 4 remains docked in Abu Dhabi and Mein Schiff 5 remains docked in Doha. TUI Cruises has said onboard operations have been reduced to essential levels, with reduced crews remaining while the company waits for conditions to allow safe onward operations.

Are other cruise lines impacted by the conflict?

Yes. MSC Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, and Aroya Cruises have also announced cancellations or suspensions affecting Gulf deployments, with ships including MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, and Celestyal Discovery among those unable to operate planned seasons.

When will operations in the Middle East resume?

TUI Cruises has said there is no definitive timeline. The company says it is continuously assessing the situation with authorities, embassies, and security experts, and is making decisions based on current official recommendations and advisories.