TUI reassures concerned travelers following a dramatic incident in the Caribbean where passengers had to jump overboard from a sinking catamaran. The vessel was ferrying passengers from the Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship during a stop in the Dominican Republic when it submerged, forcing all 55 passengers to leap into the water. The group outing turned into a rescue operation by the Dominican Navy as holidaymakers floated in Samana bay.
TUI Cruises, the operator of the cruise departing from La Romana, stated that they are collaborating with the trip provider and authorities to investigate the incident. A spokesperson from the travel company mentioned that the catamaran was operated by an external provider and sank during the excursion. TUI is actively engaged with the provider and local officials to understand the situation better.
Local community members from El Crucero also participated in the rescue efforts. The Dominican Republic Navy, in coordination with local authorities, is working to identify those accountable for the incident and prevent future occurrences. All passengers were safely returned to Mein Schiff 1, but the nationalities of the catamaran passengers remain undisclosed.
Initial investigations suggest a hull leak as the likely cause of the sinking, with ongoing inquiries into the matter. The Mein Schiff 1, capable of hosting up to 4,000 guests, will proceed with its voyage, with Jamaica as the next destination. Video footage captured the moment the catamaran sank, prompting Dominican vessels to assist at the scene.
Passengers who were rescued raised concerns about the lack of assistance from cruise staff, with one individual stating they received no aid from their ship. TUI operates a combined fleet of 18 ships across its three cruise lines, including Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd from Germany and Marella Cruises from Britain.