'Devastated': Passengers speak out after Bahamas-bound cruise diverted to New England, Canada over weather

Table Of Content

• Anatomy Of A Near-Disaster: Examining The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident Of 2023
• Coastal storm leaves Carnival passengers in distress as large waves pound cruise ship
• Mardi Gras Team Honored for Extraordinary Rescue
• Carnival cruise ship battered by waves in storm off Charleston
• Video shows Carnival cruise ship in disarray after ‘horrific’ South Carolina storm
• Improving Ship Design and Safety Features

This is followed by Allure Of The Seas, Carnival Sunshine, Liberty Of The Seas, and Mariner Of The Seas on November 18. Additionally, Labadee in Haiti will host Independence Of The Seas on November 17, potentially intersecting with the storm’s movement. By dinner time, public decks had been closed off, and plates and cups were flying off the buffet areas, he recalled. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. “It was shaking us so violently,” RJ Whited, another guest, told Charleston’s WCIV. “This could have ruined somebody’s cruise experience where they’ll never take another cruise again,” the travel agent added.

Anatomy Of A Near-Disaster: Examining The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident Of 2023

These programs can include simulated scenarios, hands-on training, and regular drills to ensure that staff members are well-prepared to respond effectively in any situation. One of the crucial aspects that emerged from the incident was the need for enhanced weather monitoring and forecasting systems. Cruise ships operate in unpredictable environments, and accurate and timely weather information is vital for ensuring passenger safety. Adequate training for crew members in emergency response protocols, as well as clear communication with passengers, are key factors in ensuring a safe and orderly evacuation, if necessary. During the Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident, the response of both passengers and crew members played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

Coastal storm leaves Carnival passengers in distress as large waves pound cruise ship

Carnival Cruise passengers return to totaled cars after coastal storm - Live 5 News WCSC

Carnival Cruise passengers return to totaled cars after coastal storm.

Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Combined with wind from the ship’s movement, gusts near the ship were reported as high as 55 knots (63 miles per hour / 102 kilometers per hour), and the ship’s captain sought shelter between small islands to keep guests more comfortable overnight. MSC Meraviglia’s December 16 sailing out of New York City was originally scheduled to visit Port Canaveral in Florida, Nassau in the Bahamas, and its private island of Ocean Cay, also in the Bahamas. Instead, the ship is spending an overnight in Boston, along with calls at Portland and St. John in Canada, before returning to the Big Apple on December 23. Carnival Freedom has a major impact on its itinerary due to the severe weather across the region. The ship was unable to safely call at Nassau on December 15 and Princess Cays on December 16. Some repairs to crew quarters also delayed its departure over the weekend to return to the Bahamas.

Mardi Gras Team Honored for Extraordinary Rescue

Cruise ships should be built with reinforced structures and improved stability to withstand rough seas and high winds. 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. Carnival Venezia is another Carnival cruise ship that has been forced to make an itinerary change due to the bad weather. The scheduled port of call to the cruise line’s private island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas on December 15 was cancelled. Passengers currently onboard also report that the ship had a brief power failure shortly after departing Nassau on December 14.

A tropical storm could bring stormy weather to the Caribbean, impacting several cruise itineraries and ports. 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.

Throughout the storm, Branham wondered why there weren’t more announcements from Carnival staff. Besides the warning of rougher seas earlier Friday and one Saturday morning after they’d weathered the storm, Branham said they weren’t given any official updates on their situation. The ship returned to Fort Lauderdale on schedule on Friday, December 15, but it is possible the next sailing – a 3-night cruise that is planned to visit Nassau and CocoCay over the weekend – will be severely adjusted. Each of the following ships has itinerary updates related to this weekend’s expected rough weather. From the Bahamas when it got caught in severe weather, including nearly 80 mph winds.

At the time of the rescue, the 181,808-gross-ton cruise ship – then the newest and largest vessel in the Carnival fleet – was sailing north of Cuba in the Florida Strait as part of a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary, returning to Port Canaveral. The ship was also working to keep ahead of severe weather that would eventually develop into the first named storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. It is imperative for cruise lines to regularly assess and update their fleet to meet the latest safety standards. By conducting thorough inspections and implementing necessary upgrades, cruise ships can better withstand storms and minimize potential risks to passengers and crew. "The weather was unexpectedly strong, causing conditions that were rougher than forecasted," the statement continues.

Improving Ship Design and Safety Features

Additionally, regulatory bodies have called for increased transparency and accountability from cruise lines regarding their safety protocols and contingency plans. The industry’s response to the Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident demonstrates its dedication to learning from past mistakes and prioritizing passenger safety. Cruise lines are continually striving to ensure that incidents like this are minimized, if not completely avoided, in the future.

AFRAS has been awarding this type of recognition since approximately 2004, with the more formalized Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award beginning in 2017. According to the NOAA, the current trajectory and intensity of Potential Tropical Cyclone Twenty-Two pose significant risks of flash flooding and mudslides, especially in regions with higher terrain. Currently, the storm is located south of Cuba and just north of Jamaica, moving east towards Hispaniola and beyond Saturday and Sunday. Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates and itinerary changes as they are confirmed through the weekend. The last day of Norwegian Cruise Line’s 164,998-gross-ton, Breakaway-Plus-class Norwegian Escape‘s current sailing has been turned into a sea day, with the call on Great Stirrup Cay cancelled. The vessel has cancelled its scheduled call to Princess Cays in the Bahamas on December 17.

National Weather Service meteorologists were expecting waves upwards of 15 feet Friday, but some computer models indicated wave heights could reach 20 feet in the storm system. Passenger Daniel Taylor said the crew “left us blind, not reassuring us what was going on, where we were heading to, what the plan was,” WCIV-TV reported. "Myself being in emergency services and retired, I knew nobody was going to come and rescue us with winds over 40 knots," Overcash said. "We had a 40 foot wave hit our side of the ship,.. we almost fell out the bed.. things were crashing all around us and the carpet on my side of the bed was soaked bc water came in thru our balcony door," Goodwin Sherbert wrote.

The captain and crew of Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras have received a prestigious award for a rescue ahead of a tropical storm in 2022. The forecast for the Eastern Caribbean ports indicates a less severe impact on November 17, with the brunt of the storm expected on November 18 and 19. Guests are urged to contact the cruise line directly by phone or email for updates and to rebook their sailing. Since the cruise line is a popular option for quick getaways for drive-in travelers, it should be possible for many travelers to change their plans to a different sailing date. The ship departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, December 9, for an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, visiting the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and Tortola.

The Carnival Sunshine was returning to Charleston following a week-long trip in the Bahamas when it got caught in wild weather and rough seas over the Memorial Day weekend. By doing so, the cruise industry can foster a culture of safety that prioritizes the well-being of passengers and crew, transforming every voyage into an adventure marked by both enjoyment and unwavering safety. Regular safety audits and inspections play a critical role in identifying potential weaknesses and areas of improvement within a cruise ship’s operation. These assessments should be carried out by independent third-party organizations to ensure objectivity and adherence to industry best practices.