TUI Cruises has reduced the number of crew members aboard Mein Schiff 4, which remains stranded in Abu Dhabi due to the ongoing security situation linked to the conflict involving Iran.
According to German cruise news outlet Schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten only 59 out of 900 crew members are currently on board, leaving the vessel operating with a minimal “skeleton crew” focused solely on essential functions. The ship has effectively been laid up since its last passengers disembarked more than two weeks ago, marking a pause in normal cruise operations.
Despite the reduced staffing, key personnel remain in place. The nautical and technical teams, led by Captain Jan Fortun, are still onboard and ready to act as soon as conditions allow for a safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. However, there is currently no clear timeline for when that window might open.
A small number of additional crew members are believed to be maintaining critical onboard systems and supporting those still working on the ship. Even in a laid-up state, cruise vessels require ongoing technical upkeep to ensure they can return to service without major delays.
The situation draws comparisons to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when cruise ships around the world were forced into sudden operational shutdowns with no clear restart dates.
Looking ahead, Mein Schiff 4 is currently scheduled to resume service on May 1, 2026, departing from Mallorca for the themed “Wildcat Tattoo Cruise.” Whether that plan holds will largely depend on how the security situation in the Persian Gulf evolves in the coming weeks.
Similar conditions are believed to be affecting the second TUI Cruises ship in the region, Mein Schiff 5, which is currently in Doha, Qatar. However, no confirmed figures on crew reductions for that ship have been released.
With only a fraction of its usual workforce onboard, restarting operations for Mein Schiff 4 could take additional time. In addition to repositioning the ship to Europe for the summer season, the company will also need to coordinate the return of approximately 900 crew members to fully staff the vessel again.
