November 3, 2026 — Update: Germany’s Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has classed the October 25 collision involving TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 in Bremerhaven as a “serious casualty,” the second-highest of its five levels. Whether the ship’s next cruise on November 14 goes ahead is still open.
What’s new
- The BSU rating means the accident is now part of the bureau’s formal list of ongoing investigations.
- Mein Schiff 3 struck the cargo ships MSC Victorine and MSC Anne F while leaving Bremerhaven in stormy weather on October 25, 2026. The 2,428 guests and 922 crew on board were not hurt; guests left the ship on the morning of October 26.
- Repairs are being made at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven. The ship was due to move there on November 1.
Upcoming sailings
| Date | Sailing | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Late October 2026 | 20-night Canary Islands cruise | Cancelled |
| November 14–28, 2026 | 14-night Norway, round trip Bremerhaven | Not yet confirmed; depends on repairs and approval by the authorities |
| November 28 – December 23, 2026 | Short Oslo, Norway and Baltic cruises from Bremerhaven and Kiel, then an 18-night Canaries cruise from December 23 | Listed as planned; TBA |
For the cancelled Canaries cruise, guests receive a full refund plus 10% off a future Mein Schiff cruise. For sailings up to and including January 10, 2027, guests may change their travel dates outside the normal booking terms, whatever fare they booked, by contacting their booking office.
What it means for airline travelers
- Booked on November 14? Avoid non-refundable flights or hotels until TUI Cruises confirms the sailing, or use standby travel so you are not locked in.
- Bremerhaven has no major airport of its own; most travelers fly into Bremen (BRE) or Hamburg (HAM) and continue by train or transfer. Kiel sailings are usually reached through Hamburg.
- The free date-change offer through January 10, 2027 gives flexibility if you want to move a booking to a later date.
- No travel-industry or interline rates were mentioned.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — German Authorities Rate Mein Schiff 3 Collision a ‘Serious Casualty’
- Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten — TUI Cruises prüft Durchführung der nächsten Mein Schiff 3 Kreuzfahrten
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