The cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 collided with two container ships while departing Bremerhaven, Germany, near the Stromkaje quay at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The collision occurred during the cruise ship’s exit maneuver, which was assisted by tugboats. German police attributed the incident to a powerful gust of wind that pushed Mein Schiff 3 sideways into the moored container vessels. Strong winds and stormy conditions were reported to have affected the departure.
At the time of the collision, Mein Schiff 3 carried 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members. The ship was scheduled to embark on a
three-week cruise from Bremerhaven to the Canary Islands. The incident prevented the cruise from commencing, and the vessel remained docked for damage assessment. The cruise operator, TUI Cruises, announced the cancellation of the planned Canary Islands itinerary the following morning, Monday, October 26, 2026.
Damage Assessment and Vessel Restrictions
The collision caused substantial damage to Mein Schiff 3 and the two container ships involved. Some lifeboats on Mein Schiff 3 were also damaged as a result of the impact. Authorities barred all three vessels from departing port until their conditions were inspected and safety assessments completed. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew,
and water ingress was not detected on any of the vessels. The damage sustained necessitates repairs at a shipyard before Mein Schiff 3 can resume operations.
Impact on Passengers and Operations
Passengers who had already boarded Mein Schiff 3 were informed on Monday morning about the cancellation of their cruise. The incident forced the abrupt end to their planned holiday cruise without departure. Travelers were instructed to return home, facing disruptions to their itineraries and any arrangements for additional travel, accommodation, or transportation connected to the canceled voyage. TUI Cruises confirmed that the damaged ship could not continue with the itinerary and that repairs were
mandatory. No schedule has been confirmed for the ship’s return to service, and passengers booked on future departures were advised to seek direct updates from the operator.
German authorities continue investigating the collision, focusing on the contribution of strong winds during the ship’s departure procedure. The restrictions on the involved vessels will remain until a full safety evaluation is completed.
