Early in her career, "Szigetvár" embarked on a major overseas cruise to North America and northern Europe between October 1901 and October 1902. She thereafter served with the main fleet in home waters, where she typically took part in major training maneuvers every year. She also went on voyages to other country in the region, including frequent visits to the Ottoman Empire and Greece. In 1905, she was part of an international naval response to domestic unrest in the Ottoman Empire. The ship carried replacement crews to vessels stationed in East Asia, in 1907 and 1912. "Szigetvár" was in the Ottoman Empire when the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, prompting her recall during the July Crisis that led to the start of World War I.