TUI Cruises has begun the repatriation of crew members from Mein Schiff 4 after disembarking passengers from the cruise ship, which had been stranded in the Persian Gulf due to regional tensions and partial airspace closures. This is the next phase of operations after it took nearly a week to organize flights and safely return to guests with the help of partner airlines and coordination with local security authorities.
With the passengers now gone, crew members are gradually leaving the ship and being flown back to their home countries the popular cruise blog Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten reported. According to reports, only a small group of essential crew will remain onboard in the coming weeks to maintain the vessel while it remains temporarily laid up in the region.
One crew member shared on social media that the repatriation of Mein Schiff 4 crew members was successfully completed via flight EK332 from Dubai to Manila. According to the post, Filipino crew members safely arrived in the Philippines, while Indonesian crew also reached Manila before continuing on connecting flights to their hometowns. The crew member noted that the operation was carried out smoothly, ensuring the safe return of all personnel, and expressed gratitude to Mein Schiff, SeaChefs, and TUI Cruises for their support in bringing the crew home safely.
The situation surrounding Mein Schiff 4 and 5 has drawn global attention as ships operating in the Persian Gulf have faced disruptions amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Airspace closures and security concerns significantly complicated travel arrangements, requiring careful coordination between the cruise line, airlines, and local authorities to ensure the safe return of passengers.
Many passengers and crew members have praised the ship’s leadership for their handling of the situation. A video posted on social media shows crew members disembarking the vessel, with Captain Jan Fortun personally saying farewell to departing crew members as they boarded buses heading to the airport.
The vessel will remain in Abu Dhabi while waiting for conditions to stabilize and for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, allowing ships to safely leave the Persian Gulf. Only after that passage becomes possible will normal operations resume and the ship prepare to welcome guests again.
In a message shared following the events, Captain Fortun reflected on the challenges faced during the crisis.
“Over the past decade at sea, I've experienced many emergencies: collisions, flooding, fires, and the challenges of Covid,” he said. “But the events of the last week were the most extraordinary and rapidly evolving situation I've ever encountered. It's the kind of crisis no training course or university can truly prepare you for.”
The captain praised the dedication of the crew during the emergency and confirmed that all guests had now safely returned home.
“As captain, moments like these remind me how much this profession depends on people. I am incredibly proud of the crew on board, who demonstrated outstanding dedication throughout the entire ordeal,” he said, adding that the successful repatriation was possible thanks to strong support from shore teams and partner organizations.
While operations on Mein Schiff 4 are temporarily paused, attention has now turned to Mein Schiff 5, which remains in Doha, Qatar, facing a similar situation. The vessel, commanded by Captain Andreas Greulich, is working through its own passenger departure process, which is taking longer due to logistical challenges in the region.
For now, the focus remains on safely returning crew members home and waiting for the reopening of key shipping routes. Only once safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is possible will the ship be able to leave the region and eventually resume normal cruise operations.
