Carnival cruise ship battered by waves in storm off Charleston

Table Of Content

• Safe at sea: what it’s like on a cruise ship when there’s a hurricane
• What Is the Maximum Capacity of Passengers That a Disney Cruise Ship Can Accommodate?
• What Makes Sharkbanz Your Ultimate Fearless Travel Protection?
• CRUISE HIVE NEWSLETTER
• Historical Sinking Incidents
• 'Devastated': Passengers speak out after Bahamas-bound cruise diverted to New England, Canada over weather

Additionally, we will explore the role of the captain in navigating through storms and the communication channels that cruise lines establish to keep passengers informed and secure. If you are cruising in hurricane season, it makes sense to keep track of the weather prior to your cruise so you aren’t blindsided should changes occur. Check with your cruise line if you have concerns and to stay up to date on any announcements made by the company. You’ll know rough seas are expected not only based on the captain’s daily briefings but also by actions by the crew—such as dampening tablecloths so that dishes don’t fall off. If the ship’s pools and water park close, time to take some seasickness medication if you’re prone.

Safe at sea: what it’s like on a cruise ship when there’s a hurricane

We were booked on a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, and the storm would be blocking our way in one way or another. Once forecasters saw a hurricane was going to form, they produced an early track that seemed to put the storm in the way of our cruise. He said he's not going to let the frightening experience stop him from going on more cruises in the future. Carnival Sunshine, which was headed from the Bahamas to South Carolina, arrived in Charleston behind schedule, according to the spokesman. Some crew cabins needed to be temporarily taken out of service because of water damage. "The complexities involved in obtaining last-minute berths for unplanned stops and provisioning the ship along its new route left sailing to Canada and New England as the only viable option," the cruise line added.

What Is the Maximum Capacity of Passengers That a Disney Cruise Ship Can Accommodate?

Water flowed into rooms and sunbeds were strewn across the deck as the vessel was battered by the fierce weather conditions. The 138,194-gross-ton Voyager of the Seas can welcome 3,602 guests onboard at double occupancy, or as many as 4,000 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled. Crew members reacted quickly to clean up, including putting towels down to soak up water in flooded areas and to ensure flooring was safe for guests. Security was stationed around the ship to reassure guests and offer guidance as needed. The best thing to do is to be as patient as possible until the cruise line has made a formal announcement.

What Makes Sharkbanz Your Ultimate Fearless Travel Protection?

During the violent storm, several cabins were damaged, and several guests reported injuries ranging from sprains to broken bones. One guest sustained significant injuries and was transported to the hospital upon arrival in Dover, UK. “Carnival has all the tools needed to see where a tropical storm is developing, where it is going and what the projected track is likely to be,” Heald said. If the stronger system does develop, it would likely move across the Caribbean toward Florida, potentially impacting additional ports such as Key West and Florida homeports.

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Christa Seifert-Alicea, another passenger, told ABC News 4 that passengers did not receive communication for over 12 hours. Several of them shared videos on social media showing the damage to the Carnival Sunshine as it encountered severe weather on Saturday while returning to Charleston, South Carolina, from The Bahamas at the weekend. Similarly, guests may be advised to stay off their private balconies or verandahs during bad weather, especially as these areas can be prone to flooding when waves are high or rainfall is intense. Onboard activities are often adjusted as well to be sure crew members and entertainment performers are safe, and outer decks may be closed when winds are high.

Travis Hair, a passenger on the Royal Caribbean vessel, filmed as the balcony of his room on the Voyager Of The Seas was swamped. Videos and photos shared to different social media sites also show flooding in both public areas and guest staterooms, as well as passengers milling about in general confusion as the situation evolved. Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas recently encountered a severe squall in the Gulf of Mexico while finishing her most recent sailing.

The largest storms tend to hit the eastern Caribbean in August through October and the western Caribbean from September through November. These late summer and fall periods are also when you are likely to find some of the best cruise deals of the year. Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates and itinerary changes as they are confirmed through the weekend. Guests have been provided $50 of onboard credit as compensation for the missed port. 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. Instead of her original schedule, the ship is instead heading to Costa Maya, Mexico.

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Footage shows moment Royal Caribbean cruise ship was flooded during storm in the Gulf of Mexico.

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With Hurricane Ian, the models were rarely in agreement, and most of the time there were wide arcs of possibilities. The National Hurricane Center on Friday warned of a non-tropical area of low pressure off Florida that was set to move northward and inland over the Carolinas during the weekend. Forecasters said there would be gusty winds, dangerous surf and rip current conditions along portions of the U.S.'s southeastern coast through Sunday.

They provide regular updates, use emergency systems, and instruct passengers on safety procedures. In my experience as a crew member, one of the most important aspects of our training is emergency response. We are extensively trained on how to handle various emergency situations that may arise on board, such as fires, medical emergencies, and even natural disasters.

These improvements in evacuation and technology advancements have undoubtedly increased the safety levels on cruise ships. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that compliance with regulations is equally important in maintaining a safe environment for passengers and crew members alike. When it comes to cruise line accountability and safety records, it’s important to understand how these factors play a role in ensuring the well-being of passengers amidst turbulent weather conditions. Passengers rely on the cruise line to prioritize their safety and take necessary precautions during inclement weather.

Whatever you decide, you are certainly not going to find yourself sailing right into a major storm, so deciding whether to cruise or not is a matter of comfort and convenience—not safety. And you should be prepared to be flexible in terms of any possible itinerary changes. The Meraviglia-class cruise ship has a significant itinerary change, which guests were notified about on December 15. With the bad weather conditions impacting Florida and the Bahamas, the cruise line has decided to send the ship up north rather than heading south.

In the next section, we will explore the specific safety measures and regulations implemented by the industry to address these concerns. Understanding the causes of these sinkings is essential in implementing effective prevention strategies. Moving forward, it is important to examine the impact of these sinkings on the cruise industry and how it has shaped the industry’s approach to safety and customer confidence.

Multiple cruise ships have itinerary changes and delays due to a bad weather system over the Bahamas and Florida. While I think most people understand cruise ships don't sail into hurricanes, the most common question I've received during my cruise is something along the lines of, "how bad are the waves?". The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship made it back to port nine hours later than planned after sailing through a terrifying storm on Friday night. According to the National Hurricane Center, the word "hurricane" comes from the name "Hurican," the Caribbean god of evil.