Felt everything: Local passenger describes moments aboard cruise ship sailing through storm

Table Of Content

• Liberty of the Seas – December 11 Sailing
• ‘Felt everything’: Local passenger describes moments aboard cruise ship sailing through storm
• The Appalachian Mountains Come Alive At Night
• Carnival Freedom – December 14 Sailing
• Videos showed the Carnival Sunshine cabins and hallways flooding and ceilings leaking

They communicated with onshore rescue teams, providing updates on the ship’s location and conditions. From examining the storm’s intensity and the ship’s response to exploring the impact on passengers and the cruise industry, this in-depth exploration sheds light on the complexities of maritime safety and the importance of preparedness. On May 27, 2023, the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship encountered a violent storm off the coast of North Carolina, sending shockwaves through the cruise industry and raising concerns about passenger safety. While cruise ships do attempt to steer clear of bad weather, it is not always possible to completely avoid lengthy squall lines or large storm systems. This is particularly true in the case of Voyager of the Seas and Carnival Dream, both of which were heading back to Galveston at the time of the severe weather. At this time, no cruises are currently impacted and there have been no itinerary changes announced, but cruise lines are on the alert for the season.

Liberty of the Seas – December 11 Sailing

Furthermore, fostering open communication channels is vital for a strong safety culture. Employees should feel comfortable reporting safety concerns or near-miss incidents without fear of retribution. This allows for timely identification and resolution of potential hazards, preventing them from escalating into full-blown emergencies. Passenger education and emergency preparedness play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone on board. The incident highlighted the need for comprehensive safety drills and training programs for passengers, enabling them to respond effectively to emergencies.

‘Felt everything’: Local passenger describes moments aboard cruise ship sailing through storm

Tour operator Thorsten Hansen shared a video of the foamy waves battering the hull of the MS Maud, which made headlines Thursday when its electricity failed mid-voyage. By dinner time, public decks had been closed off, and plates and cups were flying off the buffet areas, he recalled. Allen also said they were given such short notice about the decision to change course, saying, "It was beyond short. Yeah, it was unexpected." "People were writing texts to their loved ones in case we capsized," an unnamed passenger told BBC News of the chaotic voyage. He said he's not going to let the frightening experience stop him from going on more cruises in the future.

The Appalachian Mountains Come Alive At Night

"The sound of us crashing into the swells could be heard over the music playing" at the show he was at, he said. "Stage lights mounted on the ceiling began to shake, the disco ball started swinging and the LED wall on the stage… began rolling side by side on its own." The MS Maud, which is run by the cruise company HX, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was scheduled to arrive in Tilbury in Great Britain on Friday. “I’ll be honest, there was about 20 minutes yesterday where I thought the ship might capsize, it was rolling so heavily and we didn’t have any idea what had happened,” she said. The ship’s main engine is still functioning, so the vessel can be steered from the engine room.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise – December 15 Sailing

Mariner of the Seas' Thursday sailing from Port Canaveral – which is currently closed – will now depart on Saturday, the cruise line said on its website. One of the most dramatic adjustments for the poor weather is Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship is scheduled to return to service from a two-week dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas on Saturday, December 16, 2023, just when the worst of the weather is expected to impact South Florida. Instead, the ship added an unscheduled visit to Freeport in the Bahamas, but this did not go to plan as Carnival Pride was also unable to dock there. The vessel is sailing a cruise nowhere until arriving back home to Port Canaveral on December 18. In the interest of guests’ safety and comfort, cruise lines are cancelling ports of call and shifting routes to find the smoothest sailing to take advantage of.

Additionally, implementing advanced technologies, such as improved communication systems and emergency evacuation drills, can further enhance passenger safety during storms. The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident involved a powerful storm that put the ship and its passengers in a precarious situation. It is crucial to understand the intensity and impact of such storms to accurately assess the risks involved.

A spokesperson for Saga told the outlet that most of the injuries among passengers occurred at this moment and described most of them as "minor." Passengers aboard the Carnival Sunshine described shattered glass, water pouring into rooms and hallways, the ship pitching about and a lack of communication from cruise staff. Some passengers and crew members needed "minor assistance" from medical staff, a Carnival cruise spokesman told CBS News.

Videos showed the Carnival Sunshine cabins and hallways flooding and ceilings leaking

The storm is just one of many expected to hit the Florida coast as hurricane season begins in the Atlantic Ocean, which runs from the beginning of June to November 30. As the Independence of the Seas prepared to depart, strong winds and rain battered the 15-deck ship. In multiple videos posted to YouTube and Twitter, passengers are shown slipping and sliding across the decks while attempting to get safely inside. Spirit of Discovery encountered massive, tumultuous waves while crossing the Bay of Biscay, a body of water bordering Span and France that is known at times for especially turbulent currents.

The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident of 2023 left a lasting impact on the passengers who were on board the ill-fated cruise ship. Many passengers have shared their harrowing experiences of the storm, recounting the terrifying moments when the ship was tossed around by powerful waves and buffeted by strong winds. The design and structural integrity of a cruise ship play a crucial role in determining its ability to withstand the forces of a storm. Cruise lines invest heavily in ensuring their vessels are built to withstand adverse weather conditions. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

Cruise Ship Floods In Gulf Of Mexico Storm - Videos from The Weather Channel - The Weather Channel

Cruise Ship Floods In Gulf Of Mexico Storm - Videos from The Weather Channel.

Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Regulators and industry stakeholders must work together to establish and enforce robust safety requirements. Another important aspect of continuous improvement is the analysis of near-miss incidents and accidents. By examining the root causes and underlying factors, cruise lines can identify trends and patterns that may indicate systemic issues.

The ship departed for the Bahamas despite the storm and arrived at CocoCay on time, according to a Royal Caribbean statement to Insider. The company called the storm "brief" and said there were no serious injuries to crewmembers or passengers. But while en route to the Spanish seaside town on the edge of the Bay of Biscay, the captain received word that the port at La Coruña would be closed because of bad weather. Hoping to stay ahead of the storm, the captain decided to start routing Spirit of Discovery back to the U.K. Footage has emerged of a cruise ship being flooded during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico - causing water to flow into people's cabins.

That is expected to take place Saturday, though the ship had been scheduled to return Thursday. ► Carnival canceled three sailings due to port closures in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Port Canaveral in Florida. The cruise line called off four-day sailings on Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise from Jacksonville and Tampa, respectively, and a three-day trip on Carnival Liberty from Port Canaveral, spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in an email. Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise were scheduled to leave Thursday, with Carnival Liberty departing on Friday, and all passengers will get full refunds and 25% future cruise credits. Another Royal Caribbean ship, the 139,863-gross-ton, Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas has shifted her entire weekend itinerary to avoid the stormy seas. The ship departed Port Canaveral on Thursday, December 14, on what was to have been a 4-night “Perfect Day & Bahamas” cruise to CocoCay and Nassau.

The boutique cruise line Margaritaville at Sea, which operates 2-night sailings to Freeport, Bahamas from Port of Palm Beach, Florida, has completely cancelled the Friday, December 15 departure of its only vessel, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. The ship departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, December 9, for an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, visiting the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and Tortola. Great Stirrup Cay was to have been the final port of call for the sailing, but now the ship is heading straight back to Port Canaveral. The ship is sailing an eight-night Bahamas itinerary, which did have a delayed departure out of New York City and ended up remaining overnight. Royal Caribbean’s 155,889-gross-ton, Freedom-class Liberty of the Seas has likewise missed a visit to CocoCay on the current sailing, a 4-night “Bahamas & Perfect Day” cruise that departed Fort Lauderdale on Monday, December 11.

Every time we move we nearly go flying,” one passenger commented under Hansen’s post. As for the cruise, Montgomery said it's getting "a little depressing because you can imagine as we’re making the most of it, but most people are walking around in coats, gloves and hats." "[T]his was like, 'Hey, you guys, you got to go to [the] Bahamas.' We're from Chicago, so we wanted to change the weather. I never fathomed that we will be back in cold weather." The MSC Meraviglia is slated to arrive in the Port of Saint John in Canada on Thursday, the port wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "The only alternative would have been to take the more extreme step of canceling the cruise -- and thousands of people's vacations -- outright," MSC said.

While Walker said passengers should make their complaints known to Carnival, he doesn’t believe filing a lawsuit would be an efficient next step. Instead, impacted passengers can ask Carnival for a refund or a credit for another cruise, although there’s no guarantee the cruise line will grant such requests. Matthew Branham and his fiancée, Madison Davis, were lying by a Carnival Sunshine pool on Friday aboard a cruise returning to Charleston, S.C., from the Bahamas when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. The captain was expecting rougher weather that evening, but there was nothing to worry about. This fosters trust and ensures that all parties are working towards a common goal of ensuring passenger and crew safety. Effective oversight and regulation are essential in maintaining safety standards within the cruise industry.

In conclusion, the Carnival Sunshine storm incident of 2023 serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and responsibilities inherent in maritime operations. While the incident unfolded without serious injuries or loss of life, it underscored the importance of preparedness, vigilance, and a commitment to safety at all levels. Collaboration between regulators and cruise lines can take the form of regular meetings, sharing of information, and joint initiatives aimed at addressing safety concerns. By working together, they can identify emerging risks and develop proactive measures to mitigate them. Continuous improvement is a key aspect of maintaining and enhancing safety standards in the cruise industry.