Two cruise ships sidelined for weeks by escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf are now nearing a return to service, as TUI Cruises works to restart operations in the Mediterranean.
The cruise ships Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 4, are currently sailing around Africa after avoiding the Suez Canal, following a regional conflict that disrupted cruise operations and forced widespread cancellations.
AIDA Cruises is welcoming back a familiar face to the bridge, as Captain Claas Cramer returns to active command after spending more than ten years working full-time as a maritime pilot.
Crew members are set to rejoin the cruise ships Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 in Cape Town and Malta, as both ships make their way back to Europe following weeks of disruption in the Middle East. During the conflict, the majority of crew were repatriated, leaving the vessels operating with minimal manning while stranded in the region. Now, as the ships reposition toward the Mediterranean, a full crew rebuild is underway to support the restart of regular cruise operations.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has introduced Paul Hancox as its newest Cruise Director, bringing decades of industry experience and a strong background in guest entertainment to the fleet.
There comes a point in every crew member’s journey when you realize something is missing. We work together, live together, share contracts, challenges, and moments, but we’re still scattered. Different ships, different companies, different groups.
Now imagine this instead: one place where all crew connect. No ranks. No pressure. Just crew supporting crew.
That’s the idea behind DeepCrew.
Working as a doctor at sea is often described in clinical terms—equipment, emergencies, protocols. But behind the medical charts and emergency drills, there’s a deeply human side to the role, one that blends responsibility with emotion, pressure with perspective, and medicine with moments that stay with you long after the contract ends.
Onboard ships like Mein Schiff Relax, being a doctor is not just a job—it’s a way of life.
Costa Cruises marked World Health Day with a fleetwide initiative focused on everyday health habits, highlighting the importance of simple, consistent actions in supporting crew wellbeing at sea.
Crew members aboard Mein Schiff 7 are being recognized for their outstanding contributions, as the latest Crew Awards highlight individuals who go above and beyond in their roles.
Among the winners, Joslin Stanny Borges, Assistant Electrical Engineer, was honored for professionalism, while Irawan Bambang, Storekeeper, and Catherine Joy Tacuyan, Hotel Utility, were both recognized for trust. Inna Honcharuk, Musical Supervisor, received the award for excellence in management.
Ambassador Cruise Line has recognized two exceptional team members aboard the cruise ship Renaissance as “Team Members of the Month” for March 2026.
If you’ve worked onboard long enough, you already know ship language is a whole different world.
A crew member recently nailed it in a fun video that perfectly captures how we all start sounding after a few contracts and honestly, it’s way too accurate.
