15.06.2026/Onboard Entertainment & Culture/Mein Schiff
Rock ’n’ Sail 2026 – Peter Maffay and TUI Cruises are set to rock the Mediterranean for the first time
Hamburg/Palma de Mallorca, 15. Jun 2026: Following two successful and fully booked Rock ’n’ Sail cruises with Peter Maffay and his band on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, it was time in early May 2026 to cast off on the Mediterranean for the first time. Even before the start of his “Love Places 2026” tour, the exceptional artist thrilled the 2,700 or so guests on board Mein Schiff 1. From 8 to 13 May 2026, the ship left Palma de Mallorca and sailed via Gibraltar and Cartagena back to Palma de Mallorca, accompanied by special musical entertainment.
In addition to three concert evenings with the cult musician, guests were treated to a varied supporting programme featuring panel discussions and many other fantastic show acts. Once again this year, Maffay’s wife Hendrikje Balsmeyer took to the stage with her band Studio3. Other members of the Maffay Band also got the audience in the mood with their own projects and solo shows. Percussionist and singer Charly Klauser, for example, presented her own programme, accompanied by her colleague and Maffay guitarist JB Meijers. Yaris, Maffay’s son, also presented songs from his impressive latest album, “Kein Plan B”. Yaris was accompanied by “The Voice” star Luca Grave. Singer-songwriter Björn Paulsen also demonstrated that even Germany’s northernmost voice can really get Maffay fans fired up.
A special highlight came on the final evening of the cruise, when Peter Maffay performed the Udo Lindenberg song “Wozu sind Kriege da” during the Studio3 show, together with his bandmate Pascal Kravetz and his seven-year-old daughter Anouk.
Alongside this exceptional Rock ’n’ Sail programme, guests were able to enjoy two relaxing days at sea and, during the shore visits in Gibraltar and Cartagena, book a variety of excursions or enjoy the Mein Schiff Premium inclusive benefits on board.
However, the closeness between the artists and the audience once again proved to be a particular highlight of this cruise. “There’s such a deep bond, which is also reflected in the many stories you experience during the cruise and which is also the reason why I’m taking this special trip here once again,” says Maffay himself in a short interview (see below).
As was the case last year, there was also an auction in 2026 in aid of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS), which this time raised an astounding 25,000 euros. Items that were auctioned off included a signed set of vinyl records by Peter Maffay, a signed Rock ’n’ Sail 2026 banner, a signed book and a signed and played acoustic guitar.
With its successful Mediterranean debut, Rock ’n’ Sail impressively continued its tradition of combining music, community and special experiences at sea.
Three questions for Peter Maffay
During Rock ’n’ Sail, your music was played non-stop on Mein Schiff 1 at the request of many guests. Have you ever listened to yourself uninterrupted like that, night and day?
Peter Maffay: No, no, I’m not that self-absorbed and don’t listen to my own songs all the time (laughs). There’s only one situation where I have to spend a long time thinking about my music – when we’re putting together the set list for a new tour. But I tend to approach it more theoretically then, thinking about which songs our audience will love. On Mein Schiff 1, though, I was listening to the songs all the time – between going to bed, waking up, brushing my teeth and, I don’t know, everything else. In the process, I realised that there really are a few tracks there that I should pay more attention to again, because even though they’re from a long time ago, they’re still very good. Those days on the ship gave me a little nudge to dig deeper into the archives once again.
After a nine-month break, you performed in front of an audience with your band again for the first time on Mein Schiff 1 – and in such a special setting as well. Do you get nervous at a moment like that, despite all your experience?
Peter Maffay: Yes, I still feel the nervousness that a good band or musician should always feel – out of respect for the audience and the circumstances that can arise during a concert. Let’s be honest, everyone gets a bit of the jitters. That feeling lasts until the moment you realise whether what you’ve set in motion is working or not. The audience feels that nervousness too, and so everyone’s kind of on hold.
If there are still any weak points we notice during the show, we discuss them at the soundcheck before the next concert.
If, as a competitive musician, five per cent is missing from 100 per cent, you tell yourself that shouldn’t be, because we’ve set out to feel and give 100 per cent.
On the ship, you’re very close to your fans the whole time. What’s that like for you?
Peter Maffay: The guests on this ship are mainly from my generation or at least of a similar age. That’s incredible, because I regard it as a distinct honour that people have engaged with us, with me, for such a long time. This mutual loyalty is extraordinary – even more than extraordinary. There’s such a deep bond, which is also reflected in the many stories you experience during the cruise and which is also the reason why I’m taking this special trip here once again.
More impressions of Rock ’n’ Sail 2026 with Peter Maffay and his band can be found here:
