TUI Cruises cancels itineraries transiting Red Sea due to ongoing security concerns

TUI Cruises has announced the cancellation of three repositioning cruises that were set to traverse the Red Sea in late 2025 aboard Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5, and Mein Schiff 6, due to ongoing security concerns around the Bab Al Mandeb Strait.

Originally planned as part of each ship’s transition from Europe to Asia, the affected itineraries would have included stops in the Middle East, but will instead now reposition via Africa and the Indian Ocean. 

This alternative route is viewed as a safer and more reliable option, ensuring the uninterrupted movement of vessels to their winter deployment regions. Unlike other cruise lines that have taken similar measures, such as MSC Cruises and Costa, TUI will be offering the new routes as passenger voyages.

The cancellation affects more than just the originally planned repositioning voyages. To accommodate the new itineraries, TUI Cruises has also scrapped several other sailings. 

For Mein Schiff 4, all cruises scheduled to depart between October 1st and November 3rd, 2025, have been cancelled. Similarly, cruises aboard Mein Schiff 5 planned between November 7th and December 13th, 2025, will no longer proceed. For Mein Schiff 6, sailings from October 19th to November 26th, 2025, have been removed from the schedule.

The cancellations are due to the extra time required to circumvent the southern tip of Africa, compared to the comparatively short journey between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.

Passengers affected by these cancellations are being offered a full refund of their fares. In addition, TUI Cruises is extending a 10% discount on future bookings as a gesture of goodwill, while those opting for the new repositioning cruises via Africa will receive an additional 10% discount.

The newly announced routes will focus on Africa and the Indian Ocean, featuring calls in destinations such as South Africa, Namibia, Réunion, and Mauritius. These itineraries are expected to attract passengers seeking unique cultural experiences.

Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 will reposition to the Arabian Gulf for the winter season, offering seven-night cruises from Dubai and Doha with stops in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, while Mein Schiff 6 will head to Southeast Asia and the Far East, providing longer cruises from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Yokohama during the 2025/26 winter season.