Carnival Sunshine passengers recount nightmare cruise as ship floods

Table Of Content

• 'I really thought I wasn't going to make it back': Carnival cruise ship rocked by weather
• Build a ReportBuild your own weather report and choose the ports of call you would like.
• Severe Weather Impacting Multiple Cruise Ships
• Princess Cruises Ship Cancels Port Visits Due to Congestion
• Cruise ship Carnival Sunshine pounded by large waves during coastal storm near Charleston, South Carolina
• I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
• MSC Meraviglia – December 16 Sailing

Passengers were informed of the worsening weather conditions, and the captain and crew closely monitored the situation. Despite the looming threat, the ship continued its course, hoping to navigate through the storm without incident. The ship’s medical staff did help a “small number” of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance following the storm. Despite the significant damage and a delay in schedule, Carnival Sunshine embarked on its next five-day Bahama sailing on Saturday. If the situation develops and the storm becomes a serious threat, cruise lines will ensure that guests and crew remain safe at all times. Moreover, several private islands frequented by cruise ships are on the storm’s trajectory.

'I really thought I wasn't going to make it back': Carnival cruise ship rocked by weather

Carnival Cruise Line’s 133,596-gross-ton Carnival Vista, which was just involved with an at-sea rescue of stranded crew members from a capsized cargo vessel, was forced to skip the scheduled stop in Grand Turk on Thursday, December 14. Royal Caribbean International’s 225,282-gross ton, Oasis-class Allure of the Seas was unable to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay during the current sailing, a 4-night “Bahamas & Perfect Day” cruise that departed Port Canaveral on Monday, December 11. Guests were refunded the port fees and any pre-paid shore excursions for missing the popular destination. 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.

Build a ReportBuild your own weather report and choose the ports of call you would like.

Carnival Cruise Line, in particular, undertook a comprehensive review of their emergency response procedures and made several improvements based on lessons learned from the incident. From reinforced hulls to stabilizers that counteract the motion of the ship, various measures are taken to enhance the ship’s stability and safety. This article delves into the details of the Carnival Sunshine storm incident, providing a comprehensive analysis of the events that unfolded, the potential risks involved, and the lessons learned from this near-disaster.

Severe Weather Impacting Multiple Cruise Ships

On Saturday, and Sunday will be another day at sea while the ship heads back to Florida for debarkation as planned on Monday, December 18. Crew Center, a cruise ship information site, posted a video on Twitter showing a flooded hallway, torn-off doors and other debris and destruction on board. Video posted to Twitter under the handle @CrewCenter showed water running up and down a hallway and said the crew on one deck had to be evacuated to another part of the ship. Things were crashing all around us and the carpet on my side of the bed was soaked (because) water came in thru our balcony door,” passenger Goodwin Sherbert wrote on Facebook.

Princess Cruises Ship Cancels Port Visits Due to Congestion

This allows for timely identification and resolution of potential hazards, preventing them from escalating into full-blown emergencies. In the wake of the Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident, cruise lines across the industry have taken proactive steps to address safety concerns and reassure passengers of their commitment to their well-being. Meanwhile, rescue vessels were dispatched to assist in the evacuation of passengers if necessary. The crew’s training and preparedness were put to the test as they worked diligently to keep everyone safe. While the ship eventually made it back to port safely, the incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the open sea and the importance of robust safety measures.

Dramatic video shows Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers panic during freak storm

In stormy conditions, the crew can deploy the stabilizers, which will prevent the ship from rolling and bucking. Guests on these cruises should stay informed about any potential itinerary changes due to the evolving weather conditions. In response to the evolving storm, cruise lines may consider rerouting their ships to avoid the worst of the weather.

Cruise ship Carnival Sunshine pounded by large waves during coastal storm near Charleston, South Carolina

With a Masters in Tourism and Hospitality, Jennifer is passionate about responsible and meaningful travel that fosters cultural exchange. Whether trekking through the Atlas Mountains, sailing to Komodo National Park, or taking an overnight train across Eastern Europe - she is always seeking her next epic destination. 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.

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

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

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

The spokesperson added that the Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on a five-day Bahamas cruise and will return to Charleston on Thursday. Terrified passengers on a Carnival cruise were left vomiting after a torrential storm pounded the ship in South Carolina — flooding the vessel and ripping doors off their hinges. When the ship hit 70kts (80 mph) winds, Taylor said the captain slowed the ship and turned heading north-northeast heading directly into the storm.

Despite the challenging circumstances, many passengers also shared stories of camaraderie and support among fellow travelers, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of adversity. He added there were "high winds on the deck… platters of food crashing to the floor in the buffet, liquor and other glass breaking, water coming in through the balconies and flooding." 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. “Waves were hitting the boat so hard that it was like an earthquake experience, jarring you like a really rough roller coaster — even in the middle floor,” Branham said.

The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident prompted a comprehensive review of the cruise ship’s compliance with international safety standards and guidelines. During this time, the ship faced significant challenges, battling against the relentless forces of nature. The crew worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone onboard. Despite the chaos and fear that engulfed the ship, acts of bravery and kindness were witnessed as passengers supported each other through this ordeal.

“Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside,” he wrote. Taylor said the weather was great prior to the large waves that were churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast. Jerry Pike, a photographer and Florida local, told Insider he watched the storm hit the Independence of the Seas while sitting in a car in Jetty Park facing the port. She tweeted again on Saturday afternoon, describing "14 hours of high winds, rain and massive waves." “We’ve steered our ships around typhoons, hurricanes, fog, massive storms with rapid intensification—which gets the term ‘bomb cyclones,’” Van Fleet says. I can get you to better weather,” he adds, noting that land-based hotels and resorts don’t have that option.

Some described feeling a sense of helplessness as they were confined to their cabins for hours on end, unsure of when the storm would subside. Their swift response and coordination were crucial in managing the situation and preventing further harm. Fellow passenger Elaina Escobedo, 21, went to her grandparent's cabin to check on them during the storm. Travis Hair, a passenger on the Royal Caribbean vessel, filmed as the balcony of his room on the Voyager Of The Seas was swamped. 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." Allen also said they were given such short notice about the decision to change course, saying, "It was beyond short. Yeah, it was unexpected."