TUI Cruises has picked a shipyard to fix Mein Schiff 3. The German line says the ship, damaged in a collision with two container ships in Bremerhaven on October 25, will move to the Lloyd Werft pier in the same port on Sunday, November 1, for repairs.
For booked guests, the open question is the ship's next sailing. TUI says damaged lifesaving gear has to be sorted out before the ship can sail again, and it hasn't yet said whether the next cruise, a 14-night Norway trip departing November 14, will go ahead.
What TUI said
In a statement quoted by Cruise Industry News, TUI Cruises put safety first.
"The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority in every decision. Our specialist departments are working intensively to create the conditions for a safe resumption of cruise operations. Since the damage also affects lifesaving equipment, it must be ensured before the next voyage that the required lifesaving capacity is available for everyone onboard," the statement reads.
TUI also said it expects more clarity at the start of next week. At that point, it should be able to judge whether, and how much, later voyages are affected. The line said it will contact booked guests and travel partners as soon as it has new information.
A quick recap of the collision
The accident happened as Mein Schiff 3 left Bremerhaven with tug assistance in rough weather. According to Splash, a gust of wind caught the ship and pushed it into two MSC container ships berthed at the Stromkaje container terminal.
The cruise ship's lifeboats, their launching equipment and its outer hull were damaged. No passengers or crew were hurt. TUI then canceled the ship's 20-night Canary Islands cruise. We covered the collision and the canceled cruise here.
Why the lifeboats matter so much
Cruise ships must carry enough approved lifesaving capacity, such as lifeboats and life rafts, for everyone onboard. If some of that gear is out of action, a ship either has to repair or replace it, or sail with fewer people. That's why TUI is tying the return to service to lifesaving capacity, not just to the hull.
Technical teams are still assessing the damage, and the scope and timeline for the repairs haven't been set, Splash reported. Lloyd Werft is a long-established Bremerhaven shipyard, so the ship won't have to travel far for the work.
What's next on the schedule
According to TUI's website, as cited by Cruise Industry News, Mein Schiff 3's next scheduled departure is the 14-night "Enchanting Norway" cruise from November 14 to 28, round trip from Bremerhaven. TUI has not confirmed whether that trip will sail.
If you're booked on it, here's what to keep in mind:
- Watch for TUI's update early next week. The line says it will contact guests and partners directly.
- Hold off on extra spending. If you haven't booked flights or hotels to reach Bremerhaven, it may be worth waiting for TUI's decision.
- Check your travel insurance. Policies differ on what they cover when a cruise line cancels or changes a trip.
- If you booked through a travel agent, they should hear from TUI at the same time and can help with options.
About the ship
Mein Schiff 3 was the first ship TUI Cruises had built for itself. She was delivered in 2014 by the Turku shipyard in Finland as the lead ship of the Blue Motion class. She measures 99,526 gross tons and carries about 2,500 guests at double occupancy, with most cabins featuring balconies. Her program is based in Bremerhaven, with trips to the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic, Western Europe and Iceland, plus longer winter voyages.
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