Cruise ship passengers left terrified after ship sails through rough seas on return to Charleston

Table Of Content

• Worsening allergies tied to climate change and severe weather
• Lessons Learned: Gleaning Valuable Insights from the Incident
• Saturday
• Nepo Influencers Are Thriving on Social Media Thanks to Their Famous Parents
• Improving Ship Design and Safety Features
• Industry Response: Cruise Lines’ Actions and Safety Reviews

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. One passenger posted a video of the interior of a cabin as the storm pounded the ship, adding that guests had been evacuated from one of the bars after over 30 liquor bottles fell off the bar and broke. "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 crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest... the crew bar destroyed."

Worsening allergies tied to climate change and severe weather

Carnival Cruise Line Captain Niccolo De Ranieri and his team on Mardi Gras received well-deserved recognition for a daring rescue the team performed in June 2022, saving 16 lives in strenuous weather conditions that would eventually become Tropical Storm Alex. The 128,250-gross-ton Carnival Dream can welcome 3,646 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,633 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is homeported from Galveston, Texas year-round, offering mostly 6- and 8-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, with occasional longer voyages on her schedule. Rough weather is common in the Gulf of Mexico during the winter months, though the severity of storms can vary considerably. Squalls and other storms can happen anywhere at any time, and often lead to some incidental flooding and other instances, such as happened on Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas at the beginning of the ship’s ongoing Ultimate World Cruise. Some localized flooding occurred on the ship in different areas, as well as disarrayed furniture and other minor issues.

Lessons Learned: Gleaning Valuable Insights from the Incident

Several passengers, including Brenda Goodwin Sherbert, posted on social media about broken glass on the ship. In order to skip test sailings, Celebrity Cruises plans to have 95% of passengers and 100% of crew members fully vaccinated before its ships set sail – despite the requirements being at odds with a Florida state law banning vaccine passports. The following day, Celebrity Cruises – a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group – announced that it was the first cruise line to receive CDC approval to sail ships with paying passengers on board. Passengers reported scenes of chaos and confusion as the ship’s crew worked tirelessly to ensure their safety. Some praised the crew for their professionalism and quick thinking, while others expressed frustration at the lack of communication and organization during the crisis.

Saturday

Carnival cruise ship damaged during Jamaica storm - FOX 35 Orlando

Carnival cruise ship damaged during Jamaica storm.

Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This is a monumental step to getting the cruise industry up and running once again." 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. Regulators and industry stakeholders must work together to establish and enforce robust safety requirements.

“What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child and the elderly is something I will never forget,” Seifer-Alicea said. By dinner time, public decks had been closed off, and plates and cups were flying off the buffet areas, he recalled.

Improving Ship Design and Safety Features

Cruise News Update: Storm, Cruise Rescue, Ports - Cruise Hive

Cruise News Update: Storm, Cruise Rescue, Ports.

Posted: Sat, 03 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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. By embedding safety as a core value, cruise lines can create an environment where every employee feels responsible for safety and takes proactive measures to prevent accidents and incidents. Additionally, regulatory bodies have called for increased transparency and accountability from cruise lines regarding their safety protocols and contingency plans. Additionally, implementing advanced technologies, such as improved communication systems and emergency evacuation drills, can further enhance passenger safety during storms.

Cruise passenger Sharon Tutrone, a professor at Coastal Carolina University, tweeted Friday that the ship was rocking. She went on to say that the only time passengers heard from the captain was in the afternoon, when he told them the crew was experienced and would do everything they could to minimize discomfort. Carnival Sunshine, which was headed to Charleston from the Bahamas, arrived behind schedule, according to the spokesperson. The ship needed to suspend service in several of the crew cabins due to water damage, and the ship’s next voyage was also delayed. Some passengers and crew members needed “minor assistance” from medical staff, a Carnival cruise spokesman told CBS News. The impacted cruise had left Galveston on Saturday, January 13, and despite the poor weather, was able to return as scheduled on Saturday, January 27.

By investing in advanced technology and collaborating with meteorological agencies, cruise lines can better anticipate and navigate through adverse weather conditions. Additionally, developing onboard systems that provide real-time weather updates to both crew and passengers can greatly enhance situational awareness. The investigation led to recommendations for industry-wide changes, including stricter guidelines for ship stability in adverse weather conditions and enhanced training for crew members on emergency response procedures. The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident of 2023 left a lasting impact on the passengers who were on board the ill-fated cruise ship.

Cruise ship passengers left terrified after ship sails through rough seas on return to Charleston

Cruise lines must continually evaluate and enhance their safety protocols to ensure the well-being of their passengers in the event of a similar incident in the future. Meteorological data and expert analysis can provide valuable insights into the strength of the storm, including wind speeds, wave heights, and rainfall amounts. By studying these factors, cruise lines can better determine whether it is safe to set sail or make necessary adjustments to their routes to avoid potentially dangerous weather conditions. Passengers aboard the Carnival Sunrise described water pouring into their rooms and hallways, shattered glass, the ship bouncing about and a lack of communication from cruise ship staff.

One video shared on Twitter by the Crew Center account showed doors broken off their hinges, destroyed furniture, and water flooding hallways and rooms. FOX Weather reported that the low-pressure system responsible for the stormy weather in the mid-Atlantic region has now moved inland over North Carolina and will gradually weaken — but not until it dampens plans for holiday beachgoers in the area. Taylor said the weather was great prior to the large waves that were churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast.

Whether you’re an avid cruiser seeking insights into safety protocols or simply intrigued by the intricacies of maritime operations, this guide serves as your one-stop resource for understanding the Carnival Sunshine storm incident and its broader implications. Terrified passengers on the Carnival Sunshine took to social media to post video of water pouring through a flooded hallway on a cabin level and pictures of on-board stores in shambles, with merchandise strewn about on the floor as large waves swelled on the sea. 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. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Pete Peterson, owner of Storybook Cruises, which is affiliated with Cruise Planners, said cruise ships keep a close eye on weather developments and will adjust their itinerary depending on the severity of the storm.