Mein Schiff Crew Return as Ships Head Back to Europe

Crew members are preparing to rejoin Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 in Cape Town and Malta as both vessels continue their journey back to Europe after weeks of disruption in the Middle East.

During the conflict, most crew were sent home, leaving the ships operating with reduced manning while delayed in the region. Now, as they reposition toward the Mediterranean, efforts are underway to rebuild full crews and support the return to normal cruise operations. This marks a key moment after nearly two months of uncertainty for seafarers waiting to rejoin the vessels.

After transiting the Strait of Hormuz, both ships are now sailing around Africa on their way to the Mediterranean. This development represents a major step toward resuming regular operations following a period that saw several cruise ships cancel scheduled sailings.

As part of the restart process, crew members will begin rejoining in stages at key ports, while preparations continue to bring both ships back to full readiness. Mein Schiff 4 is currently scheduled to resume cruises from Trieste on May 17, while Mein Schiff 5 is expected to restart from Heraklion on May 15.

Voyages that were previously canceled are now being reinstated.

TUI Cruises has described the past few weeks as an unprecedented situation. Wybcke Meier commended both onboard and shore-based teams for their professionalism and resilience, noting the effort required to manage the disruption and prepare for a full return to service.

Captains from both vessels have also shared their reflections. Captain Jan Fortun spoke about the challenging conditions over the past two months, describing it as an experience the crew will not forget. Captain Ioannis Anastasiou confirmed that the ships have now left the Persian Gulf and are heading toward safer waters, expressing optimism for a return to normal operations.