Archive photo of the TUI Cruises cruise ship Mein Schiff 3. Photo: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock.com An unusual event in the global cruise industry: The TUI Cruises cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 was involved yesterday, Sunday, October 25, 2026, in a collision with two container ships while departing from the port of Bremerhaven in northern Germany.
The ship, which was scheduled to set off on a holiday cruise to the Canary Islands, was forced to return to the dock following the accident. The incident occurred in stormy weather conditions, and due to the extent of the damage, an investigation was opened by the German maritime police.
According to a statement from the Bremen police on Monday morning, October 26, the accident caused significant damage to the ship and one of the container ships. Following the findings, it was decided to prohibit all three ships involved from leaving the port until the necessary inspections are completed
One worrying finding released after the accident concerns damage to the cruise ship's lifeboats, their lifting devices, and parts of the Mein Schiff 3's outer shell. According to a police statement, the collision caused significant damage to the lifeboats, their lifting devices, and parts of the ship's outer shell.
One of the container ships involved also sustained extensive damage, with a tear several meters long in its left side. Police said the damage was above the waterline, and that no water ingress was reported. Despite the magnitude of the collision and the damage caused, no injuries were reported.
Following the accident, it was decided to impose a ban on sailing on the three ships involved, until their condition and compliance with safety requirements are inspected.
On Monday, October 26, TUI Cruises announced that the scheduled cruise to the Canary Islands had been canceled. In an official statement issued at 11:00 a.m. local time, the company said expert examinations indicated the damage required repairs at the shipyard.
Mein Schiff 3 remains in the port of Bremerhaven, where technical teams and experts are assessing the full extent of the damage and preparing the necessary repairs. The company stressed that the safety of passengers, crew and the ship is its top priority.
At this stage, no date has been announced for the ship's return to operations. The company said that after the damage assessment is complete, it will be possible to determine whether and to what extent future cruises will be affected, and that passengers who have booked cruises and the company's partners will be updated when additional, substantiated information is available.
The cancellation of the Canary Islands cruise leaves passengers who were scheduled to sail without a confirmed departure date. As of the last update, the company has not yet provided full details on the arrangements for passengers or the possible implications for future cruises.
The damage to the lifeboats and their lifting systems makes safety inspections particularly important, as the lifeboat equipment must be serviceable before the ship can sail again. At the same time, a comprehensive inspection of the damage to the outer shell and the systems damaged in the collision is required.
The incident occurred as the cruise ship was attempting to depart from Bremerhaven, one of Germany's most important shipping and cruise ports. The stormy weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident are among the circumstances being investigated, but no official determination has been made at this stage as to the exact cause of the collision.
The German water police are continuing their investigation, which is expected to examine the circumstances of the maneuver in the port, the vessel's condition, and the damage caused. At this stage, it is not clear when Mein Schiff 3 will be able to return to sea.
Mein Schiff 3 is one of TUI Cruises' cruise ships, which focuses mainly on the German and European holiday market. The ship entered service in 2014 and is considered one of the oldest ships in the company's modern fleet. It includes a variety of restaurants, entertainment facilities, spa areas and resort complexes, and operates on various routes in Europe and the Atlantic Ocean region.
Now, after the cancellation of the planned voyage, the ship's continued operation depends on the completion of damage inspections, the implementation of the necessary repairs, and approval of its return to service.