Bussard-class cruiser was present in the Caribbean during the Spanish–American War in 1898, though she took no active role in the conflict. Between 1898 and 1900, "Bussard" and "Seeadler" were modernized in Germany. In 1900, "Seeadler" participated in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China, including a blockade of the Chinese coast. In December 1902, "Falke" and the protected cruiser joined British forces in the Venezuela Crisis of 1902–03 after Venezuelan forces seized a British merchant ship. The two cruisers helped British warships bombard Venezuelan coastal fortifications and blockade the coast. "Cormoran" and "Geier" were modernized between 1907 and 1909; only
Bremen-class cruiser remained with the East Asia Squadron. "Hamburg", "Berlin", "Lübeck", and "Danzig" served in the reconnaissance forces of the High Seas Fleet after they entered service. "München" meanwhile was used as a torpedo test ship during her pre-war service. All seven of the ships saw action during the First World War, though only "Bremen" and "Leipzig" was lost during the conflict. "Danzig" was present during the Battle of Heligoland Bight in August 1914, but did not directly engage the British ships. She did, however, rescue survivors from the sinking cruiser . "Hamburg" was present for the raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and