Mein Schiff 3 Lifeboats Torn Apart in Bremerhaven Container Ship Collision
Key Aspects:
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 collided with a container ship while attempting to depart Bremerhaven, Germany, at roughly 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
High winds contributed to the collision despite at least one tugboat working to keep the vessels from impacting, but there have been no immediate reports of injuries.
Video taken by guests onboard Mein Schiff 3 shows severe damage to at least two of the cruise ship’s lifeboats, and the cruise ship now remains docked in Bremerhaven.
Strong winds contributed to a collision between TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 and at least one container ship in Bremerhaven, Germany at roughly 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25 2026, as the 99,526-gross ton cruise ship was departing for a 20-night Western Europe and Canary Islands itinerary.
An officer onboard Mein Schiff 3 posted eyewitness video of the event, showing the tense moments of the collision. A tugboat was helping guide the cruise ship past the docked container ship MSC Anne F, with the aft of the cruise ship swinging very close to a collision. It is unclear if there was any contact between the two vessels.
As Mein Schiff 3 approaches a second container ship, MSC Victorine, however, there is no mistaking the contact, as the screeching of metal and sudden shakiness of the video confirm the collision. The port aft corner of the docked container ship tears through several of the cruise ship’s lifeboats, with debris scattering on the wind and in the water.
The video shows obviously rough conditions, and the German Weather Service had issued wind warnings for gusts near Bremerhaven reaching 55 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour) beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday and extending until 1 a.m. on Monday.
According to Nordsee-Zeitung, one of the container ships suffered a 10-meter (roughly 33 feet) tear in its hull, but that damage is not yet confirmed by local authorities.
Mein Schiff 3 returned to Columbus Quay and AIS tracking confirms the ship remains docked hours after its scheduled departure time.
The police report notes that no injuries have yet been reported related to the collision and the Bremen Water Police are investigating the incident.
Cruise Hive has reached out to TUI Cruises but has not yet received a reply from the cruise line.
Itinerary Disruption Very Likely
With such significant damage to multiple lifeboats, it is very likely that Mein Schiff 3‘s 20-night sailing will be impacted. At the moment, guests are remaining onboard the cruise ship while damage assessment is underway in Bremerhaven.
According to TUI Cruises, 2,428 guests and 922 crew members were onboard the ship at the time of the collision, which involved Mein Schiff 3 and just one container ship.
“We will provide further information as soon as we have confirmed findings,” the cruise line said.
The ship was to have spent several days at sea before reaching Porto, Portugal as the first port destination on Thursday, October 29. Other destinations in Portugal, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Spain are also scheduled before Mein Schiff 3 is planned to be back in Bremerhaven on Saturday, November 14.
There have been no official announcements confirming any itinerary change or port cancelations at this time. A thorough damage assessment would most likely be the cruise line’s first priority to determine if the vessel remains seaworthy, followed by replacing the damaged lifeboats and any other necessary repairs.
Cruise Hive has reported on other wind-related incidents in recent weeks, including Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady breaking free of her mooring lines in Rhodes on September 30, 2026. As the cruise ship drifted, she impacted three smaller vessels in the harbor.
The owner of one of those boats, a catamaran ferry, filed a claim against Virgin Voyages shortly after the incident, requesting to have the cruise ship seized and claiming roughly $448,000 USD in damage and lost revenue.
Mein Schiff 3 Lifeboats Torn Apart in Bremerhaven Container Ship Collision