TUI Cruises ' Mein Schiff 5 has entered dry dock in Dubai for scheduled maintenance and renovation work, temporarily interrupting its winter deployment in the Middle East.
The ship, which can accommodate 2,500 passengers and was delivered in 2016, suspended operations on Thursday, January 8, 2026, after completing a series of regional cruises, and is scheduled to return to service later this month.
TUI Cruises described the stop as a “spring cleaning” before the ship resumes welcoming passengers on January 20. “We are in dry dock in Dubai; we left our berth around noon and then traveled about two kilometers to reach the dry dock, where we are now,” explained Stephan Zimmermann, CEO of TUI Cruises.
In addition to technical maintenance, a number of improvements are being carried out in passenger areas during the stopover. These include new carpeting in the Atlantik restaurant and upgrades to several suites. Once the work is complete, the Mein Schiff 5 will resume its 2025/26 winter program in the Middle East.
The rollout includes seven-night itineraries departing from Dubai and Doha, stopping at ports in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, including Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi and Muscat.
In early March, the ship is scheduled to begin a series of repositioning voyages back to Europe via Africa, before continuing on to Spain.
Dubai Drydocks has expanded its capabilities in the cruise sector in recent years, having previously carried out refurbishment work on ships such as AIDAstella, Carnival Spirit, Empress and Mein Schiff 4, as well as overseeing the major conversion of Cunard's former flagship, the QE2, into a floating hotel.
With modern dry dock facilities located next to major cruise terminals, Dubai is steadily strengthening its position as a regional service hub for shipping companies operating in the Middle East.
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