An apparatus and a method for guiding multi-diameter cables onto a drum by means of a cable guide device. The cable guide device includes a guiding means translationally moveable along a linear actuator, and the guiding means has an opening with a minimum spacing in a direction along the orientation of the linear actuator that is larger than the maximum cross-section of a cable to be guided inside the opening of the guiding means. Further, a cable, during use, is, most of its operational time, contacting at least one of at least two barriers, and the barriers constitute at least part of a confinement of the opening in the orientation of the linear actuator. The cable guide ensures rapid contact recuperation after loss or near loss of cable contact on one or more of the at least two barriers.