Kreuzfahrt-News
Mein Schiff 3 after the collision: What we know so far
04/11/2026
Collision while departing; Canary Islands cruise cancelled
The Mein Schiff 3 collided with two container ships moored in Bremerhaven while departing on 25 October. According to police, a gust of wind caught the cruise ship, which was being assisted by tugboats, at around 5:30 p.m. and pushed it into the two vessels. Mein Schiff 3 returned to the terminal. The accident damaged its outer hull, lifeboats and the cranes used to launch them. Police reported no injuries and no water ingress on any of the vessels involved; all three were initially prohibited from leaving port. Both container ships were also damaged, one of them extensively and the other more lightly.
According to TUI Cruises, there were 2,428 guests and 922 crew members aboard Mein Schiff 3. The Canary Islands cruise directly affected by the incident was cancelled. Technical experts inspected the ship and concluded, according to the cruise line, that it needed to be repaired at a shipyard. Guests were informed of the cancellation on Monday and were to begin their journey home. By 27 October, TUI had confirmed that the ship would need to spend time at a shipyard; the shipyard and repair period had not yet been determined.
BSU and police are examining different questions
The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) is investigating what happened to draw lessons for preventing future accidents. According to a report by buten un binnen, the agency has secured data and interviewed those involved; a final report is not expected until later. In parallel, the police are conducting a regulatory investigation. The two proceedings have different purposes: the BSU seeks to identify lessons for accident prevention, while the police are examining whether any laws were violated.
What guests with bookings need to know about upcoming voyages
According to the official notice from TUI Cruises dated 29 October 2026, 6 p.m., the ship is expected to move to the Lloyd Werft pier in Bremerhaven on Sunday, 1 November. Safety equipment is affected; before a new voyage can begin, the required capacity of safety equipment for everyone on board must be restored. The cruise line expects to have clarity early next week about possible effects on subsequent voyages.
The Canary Islands cruise directly affected by the incident remains cancelled. TUI Cruises will contact guests with bookings and sales partners directly once the impact on further voyages can be reliably assessed. This status is based on the official notice dated 29 October, 6 p.m.
