Key Aspects:
- Two Iranian missile-armed drones crashed in Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi on the afternoon of March 1, 2026.
- This is where TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 has been docked since the conflict in the Middle East escalated on February 28.
- No cruise passengers were injured, but the panic is rising onboard amid the uncertain situation.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4, which is currently hunkering down in Abu Dhabi, UAE, due to the conflict in the Middle East, experienced a scare on the afternoon of March 1, 2026.
Iran has already begun to violently retaliate against the joint military strikes from the US and Israel on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The 2,506-guest ship got a bit closer to the action than it wanted when two Iranian drones, which are designed to carry and fire missiles, crashed near the cruise ship.
They hit a shipping warehouse at the Al Salam naval base near the Zayed Port, which caused two containers to burst into flames. Guests onboard heard a loud explosion at the time of the crash, and thick, black plumes of smoke could be seen from the ship.
Emergency Protocols Followed on Mein Schiff 4
As panic spread onboard, the approximately 1,000 crew members did their best to keep everyone calm and safe. In accordance with emergency safety protocols, guests were told to assemble in the ship’s theater and told to avoid windows and the vessel’s outer decks.
“We received an emergency alert on our cell phones around 4:30 p.m. and were told to assemble immediately in the ship’s theater,” a passenger told BILD, a German paper.
For context, TUI cruises is jointly owned by TUI AG, a German travel company, and Royal Caribbean Group.
Another passenger told the outlet: “There was a loud bang very close by…The crew instructed us to go inside, avoid windows, and remain calm.”
Thankfully, there were no injuries reported onboard, nor has the 99,526-gross ton vessel suffered any damage due to the incident.
Panic Rises Onboard
The crew has been praised for how well they handled the incident and for the quality of care provided to the guests who remain onboard, though panic is still rising among the guests due to the uncertainty of the tense situation.
“Many passengers, including numerous families with children, are slowly losing their nerve: panic, crying, fear of further impacts. And nobody knows how or when we’ll get out of here,” a current guest shared.
Due to ongoing airport closures and attacks on airports, it is not safe for current passengers to attempt to fly home at this time.
“Due to the ongoing dynamic situation in the region and limited flight connections, we are in close contact with the airlines to ensure reliable planning for their return journeys,” TUI Cruises said in a March 1 update, which was acquired by Cruise Hive.
“As soon as we have reliable information, we will inform the affected guests immediately,” the cruise line continued.
Sailing to another cruise port where passengers can disembark safely is also not an option, as the TUI cruise ship would have to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is situated directly off Iran’s southern coast and is currently closed to all shipping and civilian vessels.
TUI Reassures Passengers
For the cruise line’s part, it has done its best to monitor the evolving situation while also caring for its passengers and providing timely updates.
The cruise line has continued to reaffirm that the safety of all onboard is the biggest priority.
TUI cruises also confirmed that guests are still “receiving comprehensive care and support. Onboard operations are proceeding normally within the given circumstances.”
Some guests have reported that crew members were asking passengers about their medication needs and families with young children what they needed as far as baby care so that a supply for a full week could be brought onboard.
Read Also: All Cruise Lines Impacted by Middle East Tensions So Far
Knowing that families are surely very worried about their relatives onboard, TUI has also established a Family Hotline where loved ones can check on their family members and receive real-time updates.
Next Cruise Embarkations Cancelled
Mein Schiff 4 is one of six cruise ships that are currently stuck in ports in the Middle East and the future remains uncertain.
For now, the cruise line has officially cancelled the March 1 and March 2 embarkations that would have taken place in Dubai, and more changes may be coming.
These should have been 7-night sailings to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Khasab, Muscat, and Doha.
Cruise Hive is thinking of everyone affected and hoping passengers can safely return home as soon as possible.
