Mein Schiff topic
Mein Schiff captains & fleet
Many guests want to know who is currently on the bridge. On Mein Schiff, captains rotate – usually every two to four months. Here you find the current ship assignments (editorial snapshot) and the typical home ships of the fleet captains.
As of: August 2026 (guidance only, no guarantee – assignments change).
Current captains by ship
The overview below summarises publicly reported assignments. TUI Cruises does not publish a permanent official list – successors and dates can change at short notice. Before sailing, the onboard newspaper, app and crew announcements help.
Mein Schiff – captain assignments (as of August 2026)
| Ship | Current captain | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mein Schiff 1 | Günter Batzner | since May 2026 |
| Mein Schiff 2 | Jan Fortun | since July 2026 |
| Mein Schiff 3 | Alexander Orendt | since July 2026 |
| Mein Schiff 4 | Adam Świetlik | since July 2026 |
| Mein Schiff 5 | Andreas Greulich | Jul–Oct 2026 |
| Mein Schiff 6 | Vladislav Balev | since July 2026 |
| Mein Schiff 7 | Jens Troier | since June 2026 |
| Mein Schiff Relax | Vito Krizmanic | since July 2026 |
| Mein Schiff Flow | Simon Böttger | since July 2026 |
Sources: editorial fleet reports and guest notes. Not an official cruise-line guarantee.
Captains and typical home ships
Each ship usually has two captains who rotate. Some officers also move between Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Omar Caruana works ashore as fleet captain for Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd. Kira Schikorr has been the first female captain of the fleet since 2026.
- Mein Schiff 1 – Günter Batzner, Sven Kassel
- Mein Schiff 2 – Jan Fortun, Hilko Tjard Mahler
- Mein Schiff 3 – Alexander Orendt, Jan Schubert
- Mein Schiff 4 – Adam Świetlik, Panagiotis Varotsos
- Mein Schiff 5 – Andreas Greulich, Ioannis Anastasiou
- Mein Schiff 6 – Vladislav Balev, Kira Schikorr
- Mein Schiff 7 – Jens Troier, Georgios Dimou
- Mein Schiff Relax – Vito Krizmanic, Todd Burgman
- Mein Schiff Flow – Simon Böttger, Jan Rautawaara
- Fleet / ashore – Omar Caruana (fleet captain)
- Further fleet captains include George Alevropoulos
Role onboard & bridge visits
The captain is responsible for navigation, safety and the overall impression of the cruise. On Mein Schiff, welcomes, Q&As and bridge visits are common – but never guaranteed and dependent on weather, manoeuvre plans and safety.
If you want to follow manoeuvres and approaches live, also check the ship detail page with position and webcam.
Training & rank
As with other German deep-sea lines, the path runs through nautical training, officer time and captain’s qualification. Each ship typically has two captains who rotate; ashore there is fleet responsibility (including Omar Caruana).
Four stripes mark the captain; further uniform symbols show the crew member’s area of responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Does the captain change during my cruise?
Rarely mid-cruise on short sailings. Typical changes happen at turnarounds every few months. Exact crew schedules are confirmed onboard.
Can I visit the bridge?
Often yes, but not guaranteed. Times depend on safety, weather and the current programme – ask onboard.
Is there a female captain at Mein Schiff?
Yes. Kira Schikorr has been the first female captain of the fleet since January 2026 and sails on rotation (including Mein Schiff 6).
What do the stripes on the uniform mean?
More stripes mean higher rank. The captain wears four stripes. Symbols indicate nautical, technical, hotel or medical service.