Mein Schiff 1 accidents and incidents

23 February 2022Structural and Technical Issues

On February 23, 2022, a 4-day voyage (Feb 23-27, roundtrip from Bremerhaven to Norway/Oslo) was canceled due to a technical issue (one of the two stabilizers/in-hull mounted fins, beneath the waterline) that required drydock repairs.

26 November 2021Boat Rescue

On November 26, 2021, while en route from the Caribbean back to Europe, Schiff 1 responded to a mayday (distress call) issued from the sailing yacht Agecanonix (France-flagged vessel, MMSI 227942370). Two were rescued, while the third sailor died on the boat before the ship's arrival at the scene.

The sailboat was participating in the annual ARC Race 2021 (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers)- ranked the world's largest Trans Ocean regatta. The boat was en route from the Canary Islands (Spain) to St Lucia Island (Windward Islands, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea).

The emergency call was issued while the boat was south of the Azores Islands (Portugal) after one of the sailors injured his head due to rough seas (winds up to 40 knots/75 kph/45 mph). Reportedly, the man died instantly. The mayday was received by France's MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center) while the rescue operation was coordinated by Azores's MRCC Ponta Delgada SAR (Search and Rescue).

TUI's Schiff 1 (mastered by Captain Omar Caruana) was the closest in the area. The cruise liner (carrying ~1440 German tourists) changed course and arrived at the scene on Nov 27th (at ~9:30 pm UTC). A crewed lifeboat was launched and approached the yacht. However, due to strong winds, after several attempts, the rescue was suspended and continued/completed on Nov 28th.

The incident occurred while Mein Schiff 1 was completing the 35-day roundtrip Transatlantic cruise from homeport Bremerhaven Germany (itinerary "Karibische Inseln Ab Bremerhaven 1"/October 31 thru December 5).

On November 16, 2022, the ship's Master and his crew were honored with the "Cruise Line Humanitarian Assistance Award" by AFRAS (Association for Rescue at Sea Inc/a non-profit membership organization that provides volunteer maritime rescue services/support and assistance). The award was received by Captain Caruana and Phillip Lellau (Chief Officer Safety) during the organization's annual reception in Washington DC (USA).

November 2020Other Incidents

On November 1, 2020, TUI Cruises cancelled Schiff 1's cruise-to-nowhere (ex-Germany) program scheduled for the period October 2 through December 27 (including). The themed as "Blaue Reise - Panoramafahrt" voyages were roundtrips from Port Kiel but without visiting any ports along the Baltic Sea route.

Next are listed the planned (including the cancelled) cruises to nowhere as duration (and departure dates) - 2-day (Oct 9), 4-day (Nov 1-8-15-22-29, Dec 6-13), 5-day (Oct 11), 7-day (Oct 2-16-25, Dec 20-27).

July 2020Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On July 21, 2020, anonymous crew from Mein Schiff 1 reported that 7 of their colleagues had tested positive for COVID-19.

The shipowner TUI Cruises planned to restart passenger shipping operations with 3-day North Sea "cruises to nowhere" from Germany (homeports Hamburg, Kiel and Rostock). TUI's "Blue Cruise" series were roundtrips with no call ports along the itinerary. Each ship's max passenger occupancy was limited to 60% so passengers could keep their distance from one another. Schiff 1 was scheduled to depart from Kiel on July 31, but eventually, the voyage was cancelled and rescheduled for Aug 3.

TUI cited issues with assembling the ship's crew in time due to global travel restrictions. However, Unofficially (by anonymous crew) was reported that the boat's staff-crew had been already assembled and the reason for the cancellation was that 7 crew returned positive test results.

On July 29, TUI officially announced that 5 of the Schiff 1 crew had tested Coronavirus-positive and are currently quarantined in a land-based facility rented by TUI Cruises. TUI added that all the responsible authorities are fully informed and involved.

Mein Schiff 2 was TUI's first liner to set sail on a cruise to nowhere leaving from Hamburg on July 24.

27 October 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On October 27, 2019, a 44-year-old male crew was USCG-medevaced from the cruise liner navigating approx 30 km (30 mi) off Atlantic City (New Jersey USA) en-route from NYC to Norfolk. For the operation was dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter, arriving at the scene at ~10:20 am. The man was airlifted (hoisted) as due to poor weather the helicopter was not able to land at the ship's helipad. The man was flown to Air Station Atlantic City from where ambulanced to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

The incident occurred at the beginning of 11-day "New York Mit Bahamas Ii" (Caribbean cruise, itinerary October 25 - November 5) roundtrip from homeport New York City (Bayonne NJ) to Norfolk VA, Port Canaveral FL, Miami FL, Nassau (Bahamas) and Charleston SC.