Cruise crews are preparing to return on board the ships Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 in Cape Town and Malta as the two ships head back to Europe – after weeks of chaos in the Middle East. During the entire period of blockade in the Persian Gulf, most of the crew members were sent home, leaving the ships stranded in the region with only a very small crew. Now that the ships are heading back towards the Mediterranean, a crew rotation is taking place to get everything ready for the restart of planned cruises. This is a turning point after almost two months of uncertainty for the crews who have been waiting to be back with the ships.

Having successfully passed the Strait of Hormuz, the two ships are now heading towards the Mediterranean on a detour around Africa.

As part of the entire transition back into service, the crew will gradually return on board in various ports to ensure that the ships are fully operational again. If all goes according to plan, Mein Schiff 4 will set off on cruises again from Trieste starting on May 17, while Mein Schiff 5 will resume operations from Heraklion on May 15. The previously cancelled trips will now be re-scheduled.

The last few weeks have been a challenge for TUI Cruises that had never been experienced before. Wybcke Meier has praised the great commitment and strength of the teams on board and on shore.

The two Greek captains of the ships have also shared a few kind words. Captain Panagiotis Varotsos reflected on the almost two months of difficult conditions – an experience that will surely remain in the minds of those on board for a long time to come. Captain Ioannis Anastasiou also confirmed that the ships have now left the Persian Gulf and are heading into safer waters again. He is looking positively towards the future and hopes for a return to normal cruise operations.

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