Articles

AIDAprima Aborts Port Call in Geirangerfjord Due to Katabatic Winds

On April 15, 2026, the AIDAprima had to abort its scheduled port call in the Norwegian Geirangerfjord at short notice. The ship was originally supposed to dock at 11:30 AM, but telemetry data reveals that the mooring maneuver was stopped at 11:34 AM. Instead, the vessel set course for the alternative port of Hellesylt at a reduced speed. Hellesylt features more robust mooring facilities that are significantly better suited for such weather conditions.
etwas MEERzeit
April 15, 2026 at 1:16 PM

Itinerary Change at TUI Cruises: Mein Schiff Flow Relocates to Kiel for Winter

The cruise world is facing a major itinerary change: TUI Cruises is unexpectedly relocating its new fleet addition, the Mein Schiff Flow, to Kiel for the 2026/2027 winter season. Originally, the ship was supposed to cruise the Persian Gulf from Dubai and Doha on the "Magic of the Orient" route. However, the ongoing volatile security situation in the Middle East has thwarted these plans. Following the recent evacuations of other ships from the region, the cruise line is now taking decisive action and prioritizing absolute safety for passengers and crew.
etwas MEERzeit
April 14, 2026 at 11:15 AM

2026 Cruise Season: AIDAluna Kicks Off Record Year at Port of Cork

The 2026 European cruise season has officially begun. On April 13, the AIDAluna made her maiden call at the Irish port of Cork (Cobh). The Sphinx-class ship underwent extensive modernization at the end of 2025. With a length of 251 meters, she is perfectly suited for the sometimes challenging ports of Northwest Europe. Whether looking out at the Irish coast from the starboard or port side during arrival, it quickly becomes clear why this maritime route is so popular with vacationers.
etwas MEERzeit
April 14, 2026 at 7:47 AM

MSC Expands in the Bahamas: New Luxury Island Sandy Cay and Mega Projects

In April 2026, MSC Cruises announced a massive expansion of its infrastructure in the Bahamas. The centerpiece of this strategy is the new, exclusive private island "Sandy Cay," scheduled to open in 2028. These plans are a direct response to the growing passenger volumes brought by new mega-ships like the MSC World America. Instead of classic, noisy theme parks, the cruise line is specifically focusing on nature conservation, exclusivity, and close cooperation with the Bahamas.
etwas MEERzeit
April 14, 2026 at 6:52 AM

Project Vision: Meyer Werft Plans First Fully Electric Cruise Ship

At the Seatrade Cruise Global trade fair in Miami, Meyer Werft set a significant milestone for environmental protection. With "Project Vision," the Papenburg-based shipyard presented the concept for the world's first 100% battery-electric ocean-going cruise ship. With a size of approximately 82,000 GT, the ocean liner offers space for over 1,800 guests. The goal is clear: moving away from fossil fuels toward completely emission-free travel at sea. The first ship of this kind could set sail as early as 2031.
etwas MEERzeit
April 13, 2026 at 1:13 PM

Record Year 2026: Hamburg's Cruise Industry on the Road to Success

Ahoy cruise fans! Hamburg is heading for an absolute record year in 2026. With over 330 expected port calls, the Hanseatic city is further expanding its position as the most important cruise port in Northern Europe. A true milestone is the opening of the new Cruise Center HafenCity. This state-of-the-art terminal is located right in the heart of the city and can even handle massive megaships. It relieves the pressure on existing facilities and allows passengers to jump straight into the city center. Hamburg is thus increasingly transforming into a fully-fledged "homeport" and a genuine experience destination.
etwas MEERzeit
April 13, 2026 at 10:49 AM

Mein Schiff 3 in Dry Dock: A Fresh Look in Rotterdam

Since April 12, 2026, Mein Schiff 3 has taken a brief break from passenger service. The 293-meter ocean liner is currently in dry dock at the specialized Damen Shiprepair yard in Rotterdam. For exactly 14 days, hammering, welding, and polishing will be going on around the clock. This scheduled pit stop is extremely important to get the ship in shape for the upcoming, busy summer season in Northern Europe.
etwas MEERzeit
April 13, 2026 at 7:20 AM

AIDAmar in Hamburg: The Real Reason Behind the Cruise Ship's Forced Pause

The AIDAmar is currently taking a short breather in the Port of Hamburg. From April 10 to 11, 2026, the ship is pausing its regular passenger operations for about 24 hours at the Cruise Center Altona. If you are thinking of a breakdown, don't worry: This is a precisely planned process known in the industry as a "technical layover."
etwas MEERzeit
April 10, 2026 at 10:29 AM

Cruise Cancellation: MSC Euribia Cancels 2026 Norway Start Due to Middle East Crisis

The MSC Euribia, one of the world's most modern LNG ships, cannot start its Northern Europe season scheduled for early May 2026 from Kiel and Copenhagen. The reason lies thousands of nautical miles away: Due to massive geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the ocean liner is currently stuck in Dubai. Returning to European waters in time has become logistically impossible, leading to the complete cancellation of the popular Norway cruises.
etwas MEERzeit
April 10, 2026 at 9:20 AM

TUI Cruises Cancels Event Cruises: Tattoo & Millennium Cruise 2026 Called Off

The cruise world is facing an unprecedented challenge. Due to the highly tense geopolitical situation in the Middle East, massive cancellations are currently taking place. TUI Cruises has been particularly hard hit by this. Two ships, the "Mein Schiff 4" and the "Mein Schiff 5", are stuck in the Arabian Gulf. The usual route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is currently simply too dangerous for civilian ships. An alternative journey completely around the African continent would take far too much time. As a result, the cruise line's entire schedule is faltering.
etwas MEERzeit
April 9, 2026 at 10:02 AM

4 Years of AIDAcosma: The LNG Mega-Ship Celebrates Its Anniversary in the Mediterranean

On April 9, 2026, the AIDAcosma celebrates its fourth christening anniversary. Exactly four years ago, the mega-ship was officially named in the Port of Hamburg by former track cyclist Kristina Vogel, accompanied by a spectacular drone light show. Today, the ship is appropriately spending its birthday at sea. As part of a 14-day Easter cruise, the AIDAcosma is currently on a transit route between Corsica and Barcelona. Over the past few years, the Mediterranean has proven to be the ideal and most profitable operating area for this ship.
Florian Voß
April 9, 2026 at 9:31 AM

Fuel Surcharges 2026: Why Cruises and Flights Are Getting More Expensive

The geopolitical situation in the Middle East is currently making waves in the travel market. With the vital trade route through the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked, oil prices have rapidly climbed to over $111 per barrel. This is driving up fuel costs across the entire travel industry, causing headaches for airlines, cruise lines, and drivers alike.
etwas MEERzeit
April 6, 2026 at 5:40 PM

Hurricane-Force Storm Delays AIDAperla: Why Cruises in Norway Are Facing Schedule Changes

The AIDAperla is currently in an involuntary holding pattern on its Norway cruise. En route from Hamburg through the Norwegian fjords, extreme weather conditions and new maritime laws have forced the 300-meter-long ocean liner into significant schedule changes. Instead of docking punctually in Måløy as planned, the ship is battling the aftermath of a massive storm.
etwas MEERzeit
April 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM

Cruise Ships Blocked in the Persian Gulf: Situation Escalates

The situation for the international cruise industry in the Middle East has escalated dramatically. Six large cruise ships, including the MSC Euribia and vessels from the "Mein Schiff" fleet, are currently trapped in the Persian Gulf due to a massive military conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. The ports of Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi have involuntarily become final destinations due to the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
etwas MEERzeit
April 6, 2026 at 9:26 AM

NCLH in Transition: Radical Shoreside Job Cuts, Billions for New Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is taking drastic measures in the spring of 2026. Driven by the entry of the influential hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, the cruise giant is massively cutting jobs among its shoreside personnel. Up to 20 percent of payroll costs are to be saved here, primarily hitting management. The reason: NCLH has fallen far behind its competitors in terms of operating costs in recent years.
etwas MEERzeit
April 4, 2026 at 9:43 PM

Record Season in Alaska: Princess Cruises Takes Off with a Mega-Fleet in 2026

Responding to the booming "coolcation" trend—travelers escaping the summer heat—Princess Cruises is launching the largest Alaska season in its company history in 2026. With a fleet of eight ships and over 24,000 beds per week, the cruise line is massively expanding its market leadership in the North Pacific. The absolute highlight is the brand-new Star Princess: This state-of-the-art, LNG-powered mega-ship breaks with traditional vessel design, bringing Alaska's spectacular nature directly to passengers through massive glass facades ("The Sphere") and a giant panoramic dome ("The Dome").
etwas MEERzeit
April 4, 2026 at 9:35 PM

Meyer Werft Saved: MSC Mega-Deal and State Aid Secure Future

The Meyer Werft and Neptun Werft have been through turbulent times. Skyrocketing costs and long-term fixed-price contracts plunged the traditional shipbuilders into a deep financial crisis. To prevent bankruptcy and the loss of around 22,000 jobs at the shipyards and their countless suppliers, the federal government and the state of Lower Saxony intervened. By taking over 80 percent of the shares, they saved the shipyards from collapse.
etwas MEERzeit
April 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM

AIDAluna Celebrates 17th Birthday: Refit Details & 2026 Itineraries

Happy Birthday, AIDAluna! Today, April 4, 2026, the famous "kissing lips" ship celebrates its 17th anniversary in the port of La Coruña. Currently on a 13-day repositioning voyage from the Canary Islands to Hamburg, the "nearly adult" vessel is making a scheduled stop in Galicia. Despite her years of service, she looks fresher than ever, thanks to the massive "AIDA Evolution" fleet program recently completed.
etwas MEERzeit
April 4, 2026 at 1:44 PM

Royal Caribbean Unveils New Cruise Ship "Hero of the Seas"

Royal Caribbean announced the name and details of its newest cruise ship on March 30, 2026. The "Hero of the Seas" will be the fourth ship in the innovative Icon Class. Starting in August 2027, the new build, with a gross tonnage of around 250,000, will set sail from its homeport of Miami. The clear focus is on providing the perfect vacation for families and all generations.
etwas MEERzeit
March 31, 2026 at 12:54 PM

Cruise Season 2026 in Rostock-Warnemünde: All Info on the Start

The 2026 cruise season in Rostock-Warnemünde is officially open. The ceremonial kick-off was made by the "AIDAdiva" on March 29th. Right on time at 08:00 AM, the Sphinx-class ship moored at the passenger quay. This was a turnaround, meaning a complete passenger exchange. That same evening, the ship left the Warnow estuary again for a five-day short cruise towards Sweden. These short routes are especially popular with first-time cruisers.
etwas MEERzeit
March 31, 2026 at 7:55 AM