how many cruise ships have had accidents

At least 10 people on cruise ships went overboard this year, and 2 miraculously survived

• At least 10 people have gone overboard off major cruise line ships so far in 2023.
• Two of those people were rescued and survived.
• Despite these cases, overboard incidents are very rare, a cruise line trade association said.

The chances of you falling overboard off a cruise ship are extremely low .

But at least 10 people fell off major cruise line ships so far this year, turning fun-in-the-sun vacations into disaster situations — and only two survived the fall into the ocean.

Here's what happened to the passengers who went overboard:

Warwick Tollemache fell off a Royal Caribbean ship and wasn't found during a search

The family of 35-year-old Australian cruise passenger Warwick Tollemache told Nine News he was a "kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him."

Tollemache fell into the Pacific Ocean after going overboard off Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas on April 26 at about 11 p.m. while the cruise ship was hundreds of miles off the coast of Hawaii.

The ship's crew immediately launched a search for Tollemache and the United States Coast Guard was ultimately called in to help. The Coast Guard called off its search after crew scoured the waters for two days.

Authorities didn't say how he fell in.

Ronnie Lee Peale Jr. was in his 'happy place' before he fell off a Carnival ship and was never seen again

Virginia resident Ronnie Lee Peale Jr., 35, was on a Carnival Magic cruise to celebrate his partner's birthday when he fell into the water on May 29 after officials say he leaned over a balcony railing on the vessel.

Peale Jr. went overboard as the ship was about 186 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida, and returning from the Bahamas. Carnival Cruise Line said security footage showed he "leaned over the railing of his stateroom balcony and dropped into the water" at about 4:10 am.

The Coast Guard searched over 5,171 square miles and more than 60 hours, but crews could not find Peale Jr.

"He loved the cruise life," Peale Jr.'s fiancée Jennilyn Michelle Blosser told WTKR . "Being able to drink, gamble, and socialize put him in his happy place."

A Royal Caribbean passenger beat the odds when she plunged off the 10th deck of the ship and was miraculously saved

Some who fall in are lucky to be alive.

A 42-year-old US citizen — whose name wasn't publicly revealed — fell overboard from the 10th deck of Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas vessel on June 25 at around 5:45 p.m. as the Curaçao-bound liner was more than 30 miles off the coast of the Dominican Republic.

The woman miraculously survived the fall. One witness told Business Insider that passengers lined up on their balconies and quickly banded together to try and guide the rescue boat as it scanned the water for signs of the woman.

Witnesses said cruise crew members managed to find her and brought her safely back on board in a roughly 45-minute ordeal.

The overboard woman was found to be in "good health" after the fall, the Coast Guard said. A rescue expert told Business Insider her survival was "nothing short of miraculous."

Jaylen Hill jumped off a Carnival cruise ship and was not found during a search, the company said

Carnival Elation passenger Jaylen Hill, 30, went overboard on the vessel on July 23 as the ship was on a four-day Bahamas sailing and on its way back to Jacksonville, Florida.

Related stories

Hill's travel companion reported him missing after he wasn't seen all day. A Carnival spokesperson said that the cruise line determined Hill "jumped" from the ship "after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video."

The Coast Guard called off its search for Hill when he wasn't found after covering more than 1,347 square miles.

Reeta Sahani who 'could not swim' went overboard on a Royal Caribbean ship while traveling with her husband

Reeta Sahani was on Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas with her husband on July 31 in the Singapore Strait, the last day of their four-day cruise to Malaysia.

Sahani couldn't swim, her son would tell The Straits Times .

The 64-year-old mother went overboard while the cruise was on its way to Singapore.

Sahani's husband, Jakesh Sahani, woke up in the middle of the night and discovered his wife was not in their cruise cabin, the Straits Times reported. He notified the ship's officials, who, according to the news outlet, told him that his wife was seen on CCTV footage sitting on the ship's railing at about 4 a.m.

The couple's son, Apoorv Sahani, told the Straits Times that the "ship's crew thinks she jumped."

Apoorv Sahani later said in a post on X that his family was given footage from the cruise ship. "With the footage, we have unfortunately learnt that my mother has passed away," he wrote.

Kenneth Schwalbe fell off a Princess cruise ship and couldn't be found

California resident Kenneth Schwalbe , 59, was traveling on the Emerald Princess ship when he went overboard on August 11 about eight miles off the coast of Hilo, Hawaii.

According to Hawaii authorities, police received a report on the morning of August 11 that Schwalbe was last seen on board the ship at around 8:30 p.m. the day before. Authorities searched the ship but couldn't find him.

Hawaii police said that surveillance footage from a camera on the exterior of the ninth deck of the vessel showed Schwalbe "falling from the ship" at about 4:18 a.m.

The Coast Guard couldn't find Schwalbe.

Sigmund Ropich was vacationing with pals before the teenager went overboard from a Royal Caribbean ship

College student Sigmund Ropich of Texas was vacationing with his friends on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world in August, his sister Savannah Ropich told Business Insider.

On August 29 as the ship was off the coast of Cuba, the 19-year-old Sigmund went overboard .

The ship's crew immediately launched a search and rescue operation but found no sign of Sigmund. Cuban officials called off their search for Ropich after they couldn't find the teen.

Savannah Ropich said in a Facebook post last month: "Although we are continuing to celebrate my brother's life, it does not equate to compliancy with @wonderoftheseas. I am still enraged by the fact that we are celebrating my brother's life without his body."

"The mishandling of the search and constant miscommunication throughout prompts the question.. was my brother's life valued by his ticket and age?" she wrote. "If so and if not, to what extent does this company value a human life to respond with appropriate actions of urgency?"

Royal Caribbean didn't respond to Business Insider's request for a response to Savannah Ropich's criticisms.

A crew member went overboard off an AIDA Cruises ship but couldn't be found during a search

The crew member went overboard off the German cruise ship, called the AIDAperla, on October 22 as the vessel was traveling from Hamburg to Spain.

The cruise ship company said in a statement to Sky News that the captain "immediately initiated all necessary rescue measures in close coordination with the local authorities."

However, the search for the crew member wasn't successful .

Another lucky Royal Caribbean passenger was rescued after going overboard

A passenger traveling on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas vessel went overboard on October 29 after the ship departed Barcelona and was saved.

"The ship and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and began searching for the guest. Thankfully, the guest was successfully recovered and was brought on board," the cruise line told Business Insider.

A person who said they were aboard the vessel at the time posted on social media that they could see spotlights and rescue boats from their balcony during the nighttime search.

A Carnival cruise passenger was seen on surveillance footage jumping off the ship

Tyler Barnett, a 28-year-old father of two from Houma, Louisiana was on a week-long cruise with his younger sister and their uncle when he went missing in the middle of the night.

Barnett was last seen aboard the Carnival Glory — which was heading to the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico — around 11:40 p.m. on November 12, the day of the ship's departure from New Orleans, his mother, Elisha Reid, told Business Insider.

For over 24 hours, Carnival crews searched the ship and the Coast Guard scoured a 200-mile section of the Gulf of Mexico looking for signs of Barnett.

But, on November 14, Carnival said it had finally found footage of Barnett that showed him climbing up onto a lifeboat and jumping off the ship around 1:40 a.m. on November 13, the company told Business Insider in an email.

The cruise line at first told Barnett's sister, who was also on the ship, that there was no surveillance footage of her brother that night, Reid said.

Reid said she found out her son was missing from a cousin, not the cruise company.

"I have my moments where I break, but I'm keeping the faith," she told Business Insider as the search continued. "I'm keeping the faith. I just want him home."

Despite these cases, overboard incidents are very rare, according to a cruise line trade association

According to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), there were 212 overboard incidents from 2009 to 2019, and only 48 — or 28.2% — of those who fell overboard were successfully rescued.

"Even one incident is one too many," CLIA told Business Insider, explaining, "The vast majority of cases are either reckless behavior or some form of intentional act. People don't just inadvertently fall over the side of a ship."

According to CLIA, cruise lines have maintained an exceptional safety record and cruising is one of the safest forms of travel.

From 2009 to 2019, the number of "operational incidents" declined by 41% and the rate of "man overboard incidents" declined by nearly 35%, while the industry's total capacity grew by 68%, CLIA said.

Watch: The rise and fall of the cruise industry

• Main content

VIDEO: 37 passengers evacuated after fire breaks out on NYC ferry

37 passengers were safely evacuated from a New York City ferry after a fire broke out on board. The fire occurred around 4:37 p.m. local time on...

Cruise ships maintain Amsterdam calls amid ongoing environmental protests

Despite ongoing disruptions caused by an environmental group at the Port of Amsterdam (Netherlands), large cruise ships are maintaining their...

Engine room fire forces evacuation of NY Waterway ferry near Manhattan

During the busy rush hour commute on Tuesday evening, August 27, a fire in the engine room of the NY Waterway ferry Father Mychal Judge necessitated...

4 passengers charged with casino fraud on MSC Magnifica

During a recent voyage aboard MSC Magnifica, 4 passengers were apprehended for attempting to use fraudulent credit cards in the ship’s casino...

Celestyal reroutes ships, cancels 6 cruises due to Middle East unrest

Celestyal Cruises announced the cancellation of two 14-night relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) and 6 additional departures in 2024 and 2025...

Cruise ship Disney Dream avoids Amsterdam following Extinction Rebellion protests

The cruise ship Disney Dream, scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam (Netherlands) on September 6th, will bypass the city due to concerns about access to...

Isle of Man ferry incident causes delays and cancellations amid high seas

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's new passenger ferry Manxman, sustained damage while docking at Heysham Port early Thursday morning...

Captain and first officer detained following disembarkation incident in Santorini

The captain and first officer of the high-speed ferry Champion Jet 1 (IMO 9151008) have been arrested following an incident in which two passengers...

VIDEO: Greek ferryboat Captain arrested following dangerous car loading mishap

Following a mishap during a vehicle loading procedure at a port on Andros Island, the master/captain of a ro/ro ferry is facing criminal charges, and...

Extinction Rebellion blocks Serenade OTS ship entry to Amsterdam in environmental protest

Extinction Rebellion activists caused significant disruption on Sunday morning, August 18, by blocking a cruise ship from entering Port Amsterdam...

3 crew injured in engine room fire aboard Adora Mediterranea

A fire broke out aboard Adora Cruises' Adora Mediterranea ship shortly after its arrival at the Port of Jeju, South Korea, on Wednesday, August 14...

USCG medevacs 52-yo passenger with chest pains from Royal Caribbean's ship Utopia OTS

A 52-year-old passenger aboard RCI-Royal Caribbean's ship Utopia of the Seas was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Cape Canaveral after...

Cruise lines cancel Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean ports amid security concerns

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has reported a significant reduction in port calls in the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean for the...

Caribbean Princess diverts off Isle of Wight due to onboard medical emergency

On Tuesday evening, August 13th, the Caribbean Princess ship, operated by Princess Cruises, stopped off the coast of the Isle of Wight (Cowes...

Tropical Storm Ernesto forces cruise itinerary changes in the Caribbean

Several cruise lines have adjusted their itineraries due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, which was impacting the northern Caribbean with heavy rain...

Cruise Ship Accidents and Their Most Frequent Causes

Going on a cruise is the dream of many people’s life. Traveling on a fun pleasure boat to an exotic location, eating fantastic food, and enjoying fascinating entertainment at sea – what could be more exciting? The cruise ship industry spends millions each year to ensure their passengers have a wonderful time on the water and at various ports of call.

Unfortunately, accidents occur, both on and off the ship. If you go on a cruise and are injured aboard the vessel, either because of an accident that happens to the ship or conditions within the ship itself, what should you do? Who is responsible for what goes on inside and outside the ship?

How Often Do Cruise Ship Accidents Occur?

It’s difficult to know how often accidents and injuries happen aboard cruise ships around the world. There is no international agency tasked with gathering and reporting cruise ship accidents statistics, and cruise lines themselves are reluctant to disclose negative information about their ships.

According to the Maritime Injury Guide , which collects information from the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were 448 major cruise ship accidents between 2005 and 2023. Fifteen cruise vessels sank, and 16 people died in cruise ship accidents. 

However, the number of incidents aboard ship, including outbreaks of norovirus (a contagious intestinal disease), people falling overboard and being recovered, and assaults and thefts aboard ship is unknown. Cruise lines are understandably unwilling to reveal this information.

The 5 Leading Causes of Cruise Ship Accidents

The top five causes of cruise ship accidents and incidents are the ones that make the news. These are situations where ships run aground or vessels return to port because large numbers of passengers are ill and in need of medical care. These are situations where the cruise line company may be liable for cruise ship injury cases.

1. Operator Negligence

In 2012, the cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Italy with 4200 passengers and crew aboard. The vessel began sinking almost immediately, but an order to abandon ship was not given for over an hour. It was determined by Italian authorities that the captain had been grandstanding for a friend on the bridge and brought the 115,000-ton vessel too close to shore.

Following an extensive investigation and trials of the ship’s officers, Costa Cruises was held civilly liable for damages for the captain’s actions that night. Captains are ultimately responsible for the actions of their crew, and the captain of the Costa Concordia was both civilly and criminally liable for the deaths of 33 people related to the incident.

2. Weather and Sea Conditions

The sea, as they say, is a harsh mistress. Thanks to modern weather forecasting models, cruise ships can usually be routed around bad weather and rough seas, but not always.

A phenomenon known as rogue waves – sudden, unpredictable waves reaching as high as 100 feet – has caused damage to ships around the world, and these waves are common in the warm waters off of the Florida coast. Thunderstorms and the fringes of hurricanes can appear from nowhere and cause brief but severe wave turbulence.

Although ship personnel cannot avoid all bad weather, they are responsible for ensuring that cruise ship passengers are prepared for its occurrence. Passengers should be directed to safe locations or instructed to shelter in place when rough seas make walking or standing unsafe.

3. Contaminated Food and Water

The occurrence of norovirus on cruise ships has become so common, it is now a staple of late-night comedians’ jokes. Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease spread through contact with contaminated food and water. It is difficult to eradicate, and once it becomes established within closed water systems, such as a cruise ship, it lingers in hidden crevices, resisting efforts to clean it out.

Because the virus is also spread by contact , once an outbreak begins, the only way to avoid it is constant handwashing and surface sterilization. The cruise lines’ habit of keeping things quiet tends to aggravate the spread of a norovirus outbreak until it becomes serious.

4. Lack of Adequate Security

The average cruise ship is about 1000 feet long (roughly the length of three football fields) and has more than 2800 staterooms. Combined passengers and crew can total as many as 6000 people, or more if the cruise is fully booked.

With that many people in one place, security and safety are paramount. The number of security officers and safety personnel depends on the actual size of each vessel, but even if the ship is fully staffed, there are thousands of feet of corridors and levels to attend to. Most ships, like casinos on land, use security cameras to monitor these areas, but they are not always monitored. Negligent security may overlook people loitering in hallways or falling from balconies, some of the leading causes of security-related incidents.

Crime, accidents, and people falling overboard are all security-related issues on cruise ships. The number-one reported crime is sexual assault. Very few crimes are reported to the FBI, and fewer of these are resolved. Suspected criminal activity should be reported immediately to the crew, and passengers’ best safeguard is to take care of themselves.

5. Cruise Ship Fires

Thankfully, onboard ship fires affecting passengers are rare. Only 72 fires were reported on cruise ships between 1990-2011. That is hardly comforting to the passengers and crew involved in the fires. Fire is taken very seriously by ships’ crews and firefighting teams are always on standby. Cruise accidents with fires are seldom limited to just fires. Generally, fires happen in connection with other cruise ship incidents, such as collisions or groundings.

Get Help From the Experts in Cruise Ship Injury Claims

If you or a loved one have suffered an accident on a cruise ship and believe you have a personal injury claim against the cruise line or someone aboard the ship, you should contact the legal professionals at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt. We will review the facts in the case and explain your options and alternatives for getting the compensation and justice you deserve.

Taking on the cruise lines and their legal department requires a cruise ship accident lawyer. This isn’t something you can do alone. You need the legal knowledge and dedicated attorneys from Ratzan Weissman & Boldt. Contact us today for a consultation.

More Insights

Why you need a lawyer for catastrophic injury cases, 5 questions to ask a lawyer after sustaining a catastrophic head injury, common medical errors that can lead to brain damage during birth, what is considered a catastrophic injury, free consultation.

To consult with our professional team, please fill out the form and submit your request.

• Dominican Republic
• Riviera Maya
• New York City
• All Destinations >

• All-Inclusive
• Kid-Friendly
• All Collections >

• What's New
• Rookie Mistakes
• Luxury for Less
• Destination Cheat Sheets
• Travel Safety
• Travel Tips
• Hidden Gems
• Steamy Travel
• Health and Wellness Travel
• All Stories >

• Adults Only Travel

By proceeding, you agree to our  Privacy Policy and  Terms of Use .

The 9 Worst Cruise Ship Disasters

The Titanic may be the most famous ship disaster, but surprisingly, it’s not even close to being the deadliest wreck that ever occurred on a luxury liner. If you’re trying to dissuade someone from taking a cruise, you should show them this list of maritime misadventures presented in no particular order. Disclaimer: The vast majority of cruises sail without incident and are safe and not filled with poop. (Oh yeah, we’ll get there.) Get your plate ready for a buffet of high-seas horror.

1. RMS Titanic

F.G.O. Stuart (1843-1923) {{PD-old}} /Wikimedia Commons

The many experts in 1912 who considered the Titanic “unsinkable” were to be proven wrong on the boat’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. Thomas Andrews had designed the ship to withstand head-on collisions and rammings from other ships. However, the North Atlantic Ocean iceberg that took down the vessel scraped through five of its 16 watertight compartments. The boat would have reportedly remained afloat if it had only gone through four. Like other systems at the time, the Titanic's lifeboats were designed to shepherd passengers to nearby rescue ships, not take them to shore. Unfortunately, help was many hours away in the wee hours of April 15 when the boat was going under. The poor crew organization also caused many lifeboats to leave the ship at far less than full capacity. Plus, they only had enough boats for about a third of the onboard. As a result, more than 1,500 people died — either on the ship or in the icy waters, waiting for help. A recent theory suggests a fire that started in the hull before the ship set sail weakened the vessel’s steel walls, making it susceptible to an iceberg that normally wouldn’t have caused as much damage.

2. Eastern Star’s Dongfang zhi Xing

In 2015, Dongfang zhi Xing was traveling on the Yangtze River in China when a thunderstorm struck, and the boat capsized. Ships in the area were warned that bad storms were coming and told to take precautions, but it is unclear if the Dongfang zhi Xing ever received the warnings and continued to sail. The ship was met with winds of up to 72-85 mph, and ultimately, a downburst (a strong downward wind) caused the ship to capsize and sink. Out of the 454 people on board, only 12 survived, making the total number of dead 442.

3. Carnival Cruise Line’s Triumph

DVIDSHUB/Flickr

A generator fire on Carnival Cruise Lines’s Triumph (now called Carnival Sunrise) left the ship powerless, and a late-night comedy punchline was born: “The Poop Cruise.” Without working bathrooms, passengers were forced to drop their payloads into red “hazardous waste” bags and stuff them into garbage cans left in the hall. Passengers described carpets soaked with more than two inches of raw sewage. News reports described the scene as a “shanty town” and a “new circle of hell.” One passenger reportedly called her husband and told him that their 12-year-old daughter had Skittles for breakfast. It took four days for the Triumph to be towed from the Gulf of Mexico to Mobile, Alabama, where it was possible to smell the ship from the dock. Later, 31 passengers claimed long-lasting damage, including PTSD, and sued. After the verdict, 27 of them split $118,000, many earning less than $3,000 (minus legal fees) for their troubles.

4. Costa Concordia

European Commission DG ECHO/Flickr

One of the biggest passenger ships ever wrecked, the Costa Concordia had 17 decks, six restaurants, a three-story theater, and enough room for 4,200 vacationers. On January 13, 2012, Captain Francesco Schettino agreed to a request by the ship’s chief maître d’, Antonello Tievoli, and sailed closer to Isola del Giglio than normal. Why? Tievoli, a native of Giglio, wanted to impress and “salute” local residents. Unfortunately, Captain Schettino turned off the ship’s alarm for the computer navigation system and later admitted he thought he knew the waters well enough to navigate by sight. However, the ship’s first mate testified that the captain had left his glasses in his cabin and requested them. The Costa Concordia struck an underwater rock, capsized, and sank, killing 32 passengers. Schettino’s worst maritime sin? He abandoned the ship with 300 passengers still onboard. A Coast Guard officer in contact with the ship at the time of the sinking claimed he told Schettino to get back onboard. After being convicted of manslaughter and pursuing several appeals, Schettino only started his 16-year prison sentence in May of 2017. The salvage effort (the ship was completely dismantled) was the largest effort of its kind.

5. SS Eastland

Launched in 1903, the SS Eastland was a passenger ship based in Chicago and used for tours. Although the ship had noted listing (tilting) since its inception and some measures had been taken to rectify this, the SS Eastland was still suffering from being top-heavy when boarding for a cruise in 1915. The ship was meant to sail from Chicago to Michigan City, Indiana, carrying workers from Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works for a picnic. On July 24, 2,572 passengers boarded, with many congregating on the open upper decks. While still docked, the ship began to list to the port side, and reportedly, at some point, more passengers rushed to the port side, causing the ship to roll onto its side completely. Despite the river’s bottom being just 20 feet below and the shore being about the same distance, a total of 844 passengers and crew members died, including 22 entire families.

6. Royal Pacific

When the Royal Pacific was first launched as a passenger ferry in 1964, it could carry 250 passengers, 91 cars, and 16 trucks. Sold and converted into a cruise ship in the late 1980s, the boat’s maiden voyage was a two-night “cruise to nowhere” from Singapore and sailed by Phuket, Malacca, and Penang before returning home. At around 2 a.m., when most passengers were asleep, the crew heard a loud bang, and the plates on the buffet table crashed to the ground. A Taiwanese trawler, Terfu 51, had accidentally rammed the ship, leaving a six-foot gash in the side. As the trawler pulled away, there was a deafening sound of metal scraping against metal. The PA system wasn’t working properly on the boat, but the safety officer ran downstairs to survey the damage. When he returned, he told everyone to put on their life jackets. Reports vary about how many passengers were impacted — most tallies number 30 dead and 70 injured. Several passengers also complained that a mix of Greek-, English- and Mandarin-speaking crew members led to few people understanding what anyone was saying.

7. SS Morro Castle

The story of the SS Morro Castle is so dreadful it’s surprising no Hollywood producer has turned the tale into a horror movie. Director Fritz Lang collaborated on a script about the tragedy, and named it “Hell Afloat” (which is a pretty apt description), but it was never made. Between 1930 and 1934, the SS Morro Castle regularly shuttled 480-plus passengers between Havana and New York. While onboard, there was no Depression to worry about and no Prohibition, which meant plenty of booze-filled partying. However, the September 1934 return sail from Cuba to the Big Apple seemed cursed. On September 7, Captain Robert Wilmott complained of stomach trouble after eating dinner and retired to his cabin, where he later died of an apparent heart attack. Chief Officer William Warms took command, and a few hours later, around 3 a.m. on September 8, a fire started in one of the storage lockers. The crew’s attempts to fight the fire were haphazard and inadequate, and soon, the blaze couldn’t be contained. Many crew members abandoned the ship, leaving confused passengers to fend for themselves in the dark, smoky hallways. Some jumped from the deck to their death in the water. Rescuers lined up on the Jersey Shore to meet the lifeboats carrying passengers. The next morning, the burning, black hull of the SS Morro Castle ran aground at Asbury Park, New Jersey. Of the 549 people aboard the cruise, 86 guests and 49 crew members died.

8. Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas

A cruise can be an oasis of calm in rough waters, but it’s also a petri dish of disease where viruses ricochet from passenger to passenger. In 2014, the Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas cruise from New Jersey to the Caribbean earned the dubious honor of being the ship with more sick passengers than any other boat trip since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started keeping statistics more than 20 years ago. An estimated 700 passengers and crew members were sick at some point. Most cruise ship illnesses result from norovirus, that causes inflammation of the stomach and large intestines and regular trips to the “head.” If you’re wondering how to stay healthy on a cruise with sick passengers, plenty of handwashing (and avoiding ill people) is key. Bugs pass quickly through contact with ship railings, bathroom doors, and buffet food.

9. MTS Oceanos

Built by a French company and first launched in 1952, the MTS Oceanos was purchased by a Greek company in 1976. On August 3, 1991, Oceanos set sail for East London, South Africa, and headed north for Durban, led by Captain Yiannis Avranas. The ship reportedly headed into 40-knot winds and 30-foot swells, and thus, the typical sail-away outdoor deck party with British entertainers Moss and Tracy Hills was moved to an indoor lounge. The sea conditions worsened that night, leading to the ship rolling from side to side, and eventually, an explosion was heard due to a lack of repairs for the waste disposal system. This all led to the ship losing power and water filling its generator room, so the generators were shut down and the ship was led adrift. A distress call was sent and answered by numerous South African helicopters and a Dutch container ship. Shockingly, the captain and many crew members were among the first to be airlifted to shore, leaving the entertainment staff to coordinate the rescue efforts and help passengers to safety. All 571 passengers and crew members were saved by the time the ship sank nose-first into the sea.

Cruise Ship Deaths – Annual Statistics, Causes and Real Examples

You may be wondering how many people die on cruise ships annually. It’s inevitable that with so many people taking a cruise, some will die onboard. The majority will die from natural causes but not all are as innocent.

In recent years there have been many incidents of accidents, suicides, and murders.

How Many People Die on Cruise Ships Each Year?

There are many sources which quote 200 as the number of cruise ship deaths each year. The real number is likely to be higher as not all cruise lines and countries share their death statistics. The majority of deaths that occur onboard cruise ships are from natural causes although some die in accidents, murders, suicides, or overdoses. 

In the article, we will look at common cruise ship death causes and some examples which made it to the mainstream media.

Cruise Ship Death Statistics

There are relatively few sources that provide accurate death statistics for cruise lines. Accidents, suicides, and murders are well reported but deaths from natural causes are often missed from the figures. The website CruiseShipDeaths.com records many of the deaths that happen on cruise ships including deaths of crew members.

There are approximately 30 million people who took a cruise in 2019. Assuming that each took a cruise for one week that means that there are around 500 thousand guests at sea at any one time.

200 deaths out of 30,000,000 yearly passengers equate to 1 in 150,000 guests. This means that there are around 3/4 deaths per week.  

Cruise Ship Deaths – Murders

Although cruise ship murders are incredibly rare, they do happen. Murders are usually committed by a person that the victim knows and the majority of cruise ship murders involve arguments that escalate or a previous history of abuse.

For obvious reasons murders which happen on cruise ships are very rarely pre-planned.

It’s worth noting that guns are not allowed on cruise ships under any circumstances and as a result, most murders are either stabbings or involve pushing the victim into the ocean.

Tamara Loraine Tucker Murdered on Carnival Elation

Tamara Loraine Tucker was allegedly murdered by her ‘long term love’ onboard the Carnival Elation in 2018. The couple was taking a four-night cruise from Florida at the time.

An argument broke out just before midnight in their cabin on the 13th deck. Her partner Eric has admitted that he strangled her and pushed her over the balcony. She fell two decks down to deck 11 and died of blunt force trauma.

Eric was charged with murder in the second degree.

Kristy Manzanares Murdered on The Emerald Princess

In 2017 Kristy and Kenneth Manzanares were taking a cruise to Alaska onboard the Emerald Princess. Kristy was a 39-year-old mother of three and was traveling on the cruise with her husband and three teenage daughters.

Kenneth beat Kristy to death and attempted to throw her body overboard. He was caught by another person dragging her body out onto the balcony.  The murder took place in adjoining cabins on deck 9, cabins D726 and D728.

The video above shows news footage from the time of the incident. It was reported that other passengers heard Kristy’s screams and that the teenage girls suspected that their dad would do ‘something like this’.

Almarosa Tenorio Murdered on The Royal Princess

In 2018 Almarosa Terorio was cruising on the Royal Princess with her husband when she fell to her death. The couple was actually cruising in an inside cabin at the time but witnesses report seeing a man strangle her and then throw her overboard. The incident happened on the lido deck.

She fell down from deck 16 onto a lifeboat on deck 7 with such force that it actually broke the glass on the lifeboat. Many passengers report seeing blood and glass. The ship was held while the incident was investigated.

Darla J Mellinger Murdered on The Ryndam – Murder-Suicide

In 2015 Darla J Mellinger was murdered onboard Holland America’s Ryndam by her husband. They were taking a 14 night Caribbean cruise to celebrate the Easter holiday.

It’s reported that her husband John found a text from Darla to another man. He broke some glass in the cabin to make a weapon and stabbed Darla to death. After the murder, he hung himself in the bathroom.

Prior to the cruise, Darla had been to the hospital a stab wound to the chest which the pair had explained was caused by an accident.

Recommended Watching: Cruise Ship Killers

If you’re interested in cruise ship murders I recommend you watch the series Cruise Ship Killers. The show has changed the names of the people involved but the murders are real. It’s a little dramatic, but I enjoyed watching it.

Cruise ship killers is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

If you don’t have Amazon Prime you can use this link to sign up for a 30 day free trial. (It’s definitely possible to watch all episodes within the 30 days if you want to). Note: When you watch the show you’ll probably be curious as to who each episode is based on, I have written a guide which covers that here: Cruise Ship Killers – The REAL Deaths Behind The Show (Episode Guide)

Cruise Ship Deaths – Suicides

Sadly there are a number of people who decide to end their lives on cruise ships, mostly by jumping from the ship. It’s not only passengers who do this but also sometimes crew too.

I was actually on board a cruise where a man went overboard. We heard an announcement in our cabin and our next port stop was canceled so that we could search for the missing man. A number of other cruise ships also came from close by to join the search. He was never found and was presumed dead.

What would happen if you fell overboard on a cruise? The following post details step by step the processes that are in place:

Cruise Ships Stop if You Fall Overboard – Here’s What Happens

Crew Suicides and Coronavirus

In 2020 an increased number of crew members committed suicide during the coronavirus crisis. In may 2020,  5 crew members committed suicide on board cruise ships. Most jumped to their deaths and some hung themselves in cabin bathrooms.

Crew members at the time were unable to leave their cruise ships and were facing months at sea, sometimes quarantined to their cabins, with no real end in sight.

Cruise Ship Deaths – Accidental Deaths at Sea

Accidents happen at sea in the same way that they happen on land. Cruise ships are incredibly safe and the safety of passengers and crew is the primary concern for all.

That said many accidents still happen onboard when guests break rules, enter restricted areas, or simply just have bad luck. Accidents don’t just happen at sea but also when guests are on land on excursions.

Common examples of accidental cruise ship deaths include:

• Trips or Falls
• Accidents in Port
• Entering restricted areas
• Climbing from a balcony to another balcony

Salvatore Anello – Royal Caribbean Accidental Death

One of the highest-profile and most heartbreaking accidental death stories to occur on a cruise in recent years is that of grandfather Salvatore Anello who dropped his 18-month-old granddaughter from a window on to the dock below. The accident happened on the Freedom of the Seas.

“I wasn’t drinking and I wasn’t dangling her out of a window. I just wanted to knock on the glass with her as we did together so many times before. I was just so horribly wrong about our surroundings,” he said. – source.

Salvatore pleaded guilty to negligent homicide. In the above video he explains what happened and how he is trying to rebuild his life for his family.

Larent Mercer – Royal Caribbean Accidental Death

In 2019 a 16-year-old boy died when he tried to climb across outdoor balconies after losing his room key. Sadly this isn’t an isolated incident with many other people also meeting the same fate.

Some passengers who have died in this way have done so because they were trying to climb from deck to deck or to show off to friends and fellow guests.

Harmony of The Seas was docked in Labadee, Haiti at the time and the boy fell to his death landing on the pier below.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t EVER try to climb on, or around, cruise ship balconies. Losing your room key isn’t a problem at all, lots of people do it, and if you do you just need to go to reception to get a new card issued to you.

Despite all of the warnings some guests still do not respect the cruise lines rules and they try to do things like jump from the balconies. Guests who do such irresponsible things are usually banned from the cruise line for life, and from other cruise lines too. The video below shows one of these people.

No cruise line wants to have to recover a dead body or clean up the mess!

Cruise Ship Deaths – Swimming Pool Drownings

As with any swimming pool, there is always a risk of drowning. On some cruise lines, you will find lifeguards but this isn’t mandatory and not all cruise lines have them. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have recently added lifeguards but Princess cruises are one cruise line that doesn’t have lifeguards on duty.

There have been multiple drownings on Princess ships.

In 2014 a 29-year-old woman drowned on board the Sapphire Princess. A year later in 2015, an 8-year-old boy was found drowned also onboard Sapphire Princess.  In 2019 a man in his 30s was found drowned on board the Caribbean Princess.

Of course, Princess aren’t the only cruise line where this has happened:

In 2019 a 10-year-old boy drowned on a Genting cruise ship.

In 2015 an 8-year-old boy drowned onboard Liberty of the Seas.

In 2015 a 10-year-old girl drowned on board the Norwegian Gem.

There are many more examples.

Costa Concordia

In 2012 the Costa Concordia struck an underwater rock and capsized near Tuscany. The cruise ship was only eight years old and the captain on board was Francesco Schettino.

I’ve cruised with Costa since the event and many people still refuse to cruise with the cruise line because of this accident. In reality, it wasn’t the fault of Costa cruise line but that of a severely negligent captain.

Francesco Schettino

Francesco decided to change the route of the cruise ship which caused the accident. The ship sailed closer to land than she normally would and as a result, she overturned. 32 people lost their lives and captain Francesco was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

It’s a maritime tradition that the captain always goes down with his ship. Meaning that the captain should make sure that everybody else is off the ship before they disembark. Francesco didn’t do this and decided instead to save himself. He disobeyed orders to go back to the ship.

Now you go to the bow, you climb up the emergency ladder and coordinate the evacuation. You must tell us how many people, children, women and passengers are there and the exact number of each category,” said officials to Francesco Schettino. “What are you doing? Are you abandoning the rescue? Captain, this is an order, I am the one in charge now. You have declared abandoning ship,” he said, adding: “There are already bodies.” “How many?” Schettino says, prompting the cutting reply: “That is for you to tell me, what are you doing? Do you want to go home?” – source.

It’s estimated that the disaster cost Costa Cruises, owned by Carnival, around $2 billion dollars. To learn more about how the cruise industry overcame this disaster and other disasters similar to it, check out this video below:

Cruise Ship Deaths – Accidental Deaths in Port

As mentioned above some passengers do get injured, or die as a result of their activities when in port or on land. Cruise ship and organized excursions are usually very safe but it’s impossible to remove all risks from every activity.

Ovation of The Seas

One of the largest losses to life in recent years from an accidental death in port is when the Whakaari volcano in New Zealand erupted in 2019. Guests from Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of The Seas were visiting the island at the time.

At the time of the eruption, there were reportedly 47 people on the island and 19 people were killed, most on Royal Caribbean’s excursions. The victims included children as young as five.

Cruise Ship Deaths – Natural Causes

The majority of people who die on cruise ships do because of natural causes. Common causes are strokes and heart attacks as these strike quickly with little warning. People don’t send to board cruises if they have ongoing serious medical problems that aren’t well managed.

Travel insurance can get very expensive if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

It is incredibly important that you have travel insurance for any cruise. Onboard medical expenses are very expensive and costs can quickly add up if passengers need to be airlifted off the ship. I’ve been on a couple of cruises where the ship has had to make extra called to drop off passengers who were unwell.

Never ever ever ever cruise without travel insurance! Even if you are just cruising to the Caribbean from the USA, you NEED insurance. Compare quotes (for free) here: – USA – UK

Bruce Campbell

In 2019 Bruce Campbell was playing bingo onboard the Carnival Sunshine when he suffered a stroke. He was originally sent to a hospital in Freeport, Bahamas but they didn’t have the medical facilities to treat him.

He was cruising with his wife at the time and they didn’t have the necessary funds to get him back to America. Amazingly an anonymous donor donated the $20,000 needed for Bruce to be flown back to the US for treatment. This highlights the importance of travel insurance mentioned above.

Sadly Bruce later passed away but he was able to donate his organs to save numerous other people’s lives.

The video above talks more about this story.

Peggy Bowman

Peggy Bowman died at the age of 89 on board a Cunard cruise. She took a world cruise annually and died shortly after visiting the port of Honolulu in Hawaii. Peggy had been cruising since the 80s and died of a heart attack on board.

What a way to go!

To learn more about the process of what happens in the situation where somebody dies on a cruise, including how the body is transported home and where it is stored, check out this post:

Cruise Ship Deaths: What Happens Next? Step by Step Process Guide

To Conclude:

Many people die each year on cruises although the exact number isn’t known. The majority die from natural causes or accidents but there are a few who are murdered or commit suicide. Death is inevitable with so many passengers cruising each year.

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.

Whenever I take a cruise I order a print of my trip. It uses the real satellite data from the cruise and is always a great conversation starter!

I'm building an impressive collection...

Code EMMACRUISES will get you 10% off

Enter your email address below:

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

More cruise ships are under CDC investigation following COVID-19 outbreaks on board

The Associated Press

Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Horizon cruise ship is shown docked at PortMiami in April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating more cruise ships due to new COVID-19 cases aboard. Wilfredo Lee/AP hide caption

Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Horizon cruise ship is shown docked at PortMiami in April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating more cruise ships due to new COVID-19 cases aboard.

MIAMI — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating more cruise ships due to new cases of COVID-19 as the omicron variant drives extremely high infection levels in the industry hub of Florida.

The CDC said 88 vessels are now either under investigation or observation, but it did not specify how many COVID-19 cases have been reported. Four other vessels are also being monitored by the CDC as well.

Florida hit a new record for daily cases on Tuesday with 46,900 new cases in a day. Since Christmas, the state's 7-day average of daily cases has surpassed previous records set during last summer's surge, rising to 29,400 infections.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in the state have also risen from about 1,200 patients two weeks ago to about 3,400 on Wednesday. But that is still less than one-fifth the number of hospitalizations reported in late August due to the delta wave.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling for the CDC and cruise lines to again halt cruise travel, six months after the industry mounted its comeback.

"Our warnings have proved sadly prescient and continuously compelling. Time for CDC and cruise lines to protect consumers, again pause — docking their ships," the Connecticut senator posted on Twitter.

Cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt cruising. And the CDC did not say it would adopt any changes, adding it still had plans to allow for the expiration of a set of rules that cruises must follow to sail during the pandemic. The regulation, called a conditional sailing order, is scheduled to expire on Jan. 15 to become a voluntary program.

Coronavirus Updates

Covid-19 outbreaks hit 3 cruise ships as florida breaks record for new cases.

"CDC acknowledges that it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity," CDC spokesperson Jasmine Reed said in an emailed statement.

Most lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Cruise ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated.

The federal agency recommends that people avoid cruise travel if they are at increased risk of severe illness, regardless of vaccination status.

None of the ships so far appear to have so many cases that they would overwhelm medical resources on board and require a return to port. But some have been denied entry at some foreign ports.

Several Florida-based ships have reported outbreaks. The Carnival Freedom was denied entry to Aruba and Bonaire after an undisclosed number of passengers and crew aboard caught the virus.

Some cruise ships have not been allowed to disembark in Mexican ports due to cases reported, bringing to memory the early days of the pandemic when cruise lines negotiated docking plans as ships were being turned away by officials worried about the virus's spread.

The Mexican government said Tuesday it would allow cruise ships with reported coronavirus cases to dock. The country's Health Department said passengers or crew who show no symptoms will be allowed to come ashore normally, while those with symptoms or a positive virus test will be quarantined or given medical care.

How Many Cruise Ships Have Sunk?

The thought of a cruise ship sinking conjures images of historic maritime tragedies, sparking curiosity and concern among modern travelers.

Despite the advancements in safety and technology, the question lingers in the minds of many: How many cruise ships have actually sunk? In this article, we dive deep into the annals of maritime history and safety records to uncover the truth.

By examining the rare instances of cruise ship sinkings, we’ll provide perspective on the safety of cruising today.

Whether you’re a maritime history enthusiast or planning your next vacation at sea, understanding these incidents sheds light on the impressive safety standards that protect millions of passengers each year.

The Titanic Tragedy (April 1912)

The Titanic’s sinking is one of the most well-known maritime disasters. On its first trip across the Atlantic Ocean, the ship hit an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912. In just over two and a half hours, the Titanic was completely underwater. Sadly, most passengers couldn’t evacuate safely because there weren’t enough lifeboats for everyone.

The disaster led to more than 1,500 deaths, making it one of the deadliest incidents at sea. The freezing waters made survival even harder for those who couldn’t get on a lifeboat. The Titanic’s sinking is remembered as a tragic event in maritime history.

The Empress of Ireland Tragedy (May 1914)

Just two years after the Titanic sank, the Empress of Ireland had its own tragic accident. In May 1914, this ship with nearly 1,500 passengers hit the Norwegian ship Storstad. They could see each other earlier, but then fog made it hard to see.

The crash caused 1,012 passengers and crew to lose their lives. The Empress of Ireland was close to making 1,000 trips without any problems, but this was not one of them. This accident is another sad event in the history of ships at sea.

The Sinking of the Lusitania (May 1915)

Cunard Line has been operating ships since 1940 and is still active today. One of its famous ships is the Queen Mary 2, the last ocean liner still in service.

The RMS Lusitania, built for Cunard Line, was the world’s largest passenger ship for three months. On May 7, 1915, while sailing off the coast of Ireland to Liverpool, England, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Lusitania. The ship started to sink faster than expected, and only six lifeboats could be launched.

Nearly 1,200 people died in the sinking of the Lusitania. This event is remembered as one of the major maritime tragedies of the early 20th century.

The Britannic’s Fate (November 1916)

The Britannic was the younger sister of the Olympic (1911) and Titanic (1912). Although intended to be a passenger ship, the outbreak of World War I changed her purpose. She became a hospital ship in December 1915.

In November 1916, less than a year into her service, the Britannic hit a German naval mine in the Kea Channel between the Greek islands of Kea and Makronisos. She sank 55 minutes later.

Fortunately, the casualties were minimal. Most people on board managed to escape on the 35 lifeboats that were launched. However, around 30 people still lost their lives in the sinking of the Britannic.

The Sinking of the Principessa Mafalda (October 1927)

The Principessa Mafalda was an Italian ship named after a princess. It started sailing in 1909 between Genoa, Italy, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In October 1927, the ship had a big problem when its propeller shaft broke, damaging the bottom of the ship. It sank off the coast of Brazil, and sadly, more than 300 people died.

The Saint-Philibert Tragedy (June 1931)

The Saint-Philibert, a small cruise ship, capsized and sank on June 14, 1931, off the coast of France. This tragic event led to the loss of nearly 500 lives, with only 8 passengers surviving.

Before this disaster, the Saint-Philibert was known for offering summer voyages along the French coast.

Check out: What Cruise Can You Go on Alone at 18?

The Sinking of the Georges Philippar (May 1932)

The French ocean liner Georges Philippar sank on the second leg of her maiden voyage near present-day Yemen, resulting in the loss of 54 lives.

The sinking was caused by an electrical fault. A fire started in one of the luxury cabins due to a faulty light switch that sparked and set the wood paneling on fire.

Before setting sail, there were worries about the ship’s safety. The ship’s launch was almost delayed to fix defects. However, these concerns were ignored to avoid penalties for delays.

The Tragedy of the SS Morro Castle (September 1934)

The SS Morro Castle, an American ocean liner operated by Ward Line, was traveling from Havana, Cuba, to New York City when it caught fire and ran aground on September 8, 1934.

The night before the disaster, Captain Robert Rennison Willmott, the ship’s captain, suddenly died after complaining about a stomach ache. Command of the ship was then passed to Chief Officer William Warms.

There were 137 casualties in total. Much of the blame was placed on the crew for not handling the emergency properly. Although the lifeboats could hold up to 408 people, they were launched with only 85.

The Sinking of the Empress of Britain (October 1940)

The Empress of Britain, an ocean liner of over 42,000 gross registered tons, holds the sad record of being the largest ocean liner sunk during World War II, and also the largest ship sunk by a U-Boat during the conflict.

On October 26, she was first bombed from above, then sunk by a torpedo launched by German U-Boats on October 28.

Most of the 416 crew members, 2 gunners, and 205 passengers managed to abandon the ship, leaving few people on board. In total, 45 people lost their lives in this tragic event.

The Collision of Andrea Doria and MS Stockholm (July 1956)

On July 25, 1956, the Andrea Doria and the MS Stockholm collided while on their way to New York City. The accident resulted in 51 deaths. However, this event is also known for one of the largest rescues in maritime history.

Thanks to improved communication systems, the crew of the Andrea Doria was able to quickly start rescue efforts and get help from other ships. Only five people died on board the Stockholm.

The damage to the Andrea Doria was so severe that the ship could not be saved. Those who lost their lives did so because of the initial collision.

The Story of the Bianca C (October 1961)

The Bianca C first sank during World War II when the Germans scuttled her before she was completed. Later, her hull was raised and refitted to become a cruise ship. She was first owned by Panama’s Arosa Line as their flagship but was eventually sold to Costa Line, where she got the name Bianca C after the owner’s daughter.

On October 22, 1961, while docked off the coast of Grenada, an explosion in the ship’s engine room led to fires breaking out. Thankfully, except for one person killed in the initial explosion, everyone was able to evacuate the ship before it sank.

The Journey and End of the Angelina Lauro (September 1979)

The Angelina Lauro didn’t always serve as a cruise ship. She started her journey in 1939 as the MS Oranje. Initially meant to be a passenger ferry, she was kept in Indonesia and turned into a hospital ship. After World War II, she sailed as a passenger liner for around 11 years, making trips around the world from Amsterdam to Australia through the Panama Canal and back via Singapore and the Suez Canal.

In 1964, she was sold to Lauro Lines and refitted as a cruise ship. She embarked on her maiden voyage as the Angelina Lauro on March 6, 1966. In the late 70s, Costa Lines chartered her.

While docked in Saint Thomas, the Angelina Lauro caught fire. The blaze lasted for several days. Before she could be towed to a scrapyard, her weakened hull began to take on water. She finally sank on September 24, 1979.

The Sinking of the MS Mikhail Lermontov (February 1986)

The MS Mikhail Lermontov was an ocean liner operated by the Soviet Union’s Baltic Shipping Company, entering service in 1972. A decade later, it was upgraded to serve as a cruise ship.

On February 6, 1986, the ship left Sydney for a two-week cruise around New Zealand. Ten days into the journey, while sailing past Cape Jackson, it hit rocks. Out of the 743 crew and passengers on board, the majority managed to escape on lifeboats. Tragically, there was one casualty: crew engineer Pavel Zagladimov.

The Tragic Collision of the SS Admiral Nakhimov (August 1986)

The SS Admiral Nakhimov started its journey in 1925 as the SS Berlin, a passenger liner of the German Weimar Republic. It later served as a hospital ship before becoming a Soviet Union passenger ship.

In August 1986, the ship met a tragic end when it collided with another ship in Tsemes Bay. The ship sank quickly, and sadly, 423 people lost their lives in the incident. This marked the third and final time that the ship sank.

The Sinking of MV Jupiter (October 1988)

The MV Jupiter, a Greek cruise ship, started sailing in 1961 as the Moledet. On October 21, 1988, it sank after leaving Piraeus, Greece. An Italian freight ship hit it.

The ship had nearly 400 British students, 84 adults, and 110 crew members on a study cruise. Sadly, one student, one teacher, and two crew members died. About 70 others were injured.

The Sinking of MTS Oceanos (August 1991)

The MTS Oceanos, another Greek ship, sank three years after the MV Jupiter. It was traveling from South Africa to Durban when rough seas hit. A storm made things worse.

The ship’s waste system wasn’t fixed right. A key pipe wasn’t replaced. It’s thought that huge waves broke the pipe, letting seawater flood in.

No one died, but the captain and crew were found guilty of leaving without helping passengers. The ship’s entertainers led all rescue efforts.

The Sinking of MS Estonia (September 1994)

The sinking of the MS Estonia in 1994 was one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century. It was the deadliest peacetime sinking of a European ship after the Titanic and the Empress of Ireland. Over 850 lives were lost.

While sailing through rough waters in the Baltic Sea, a metallic bang was heard. Soon after, passengers and crew reported similar sounds. Around 1:15 am, the visor separated, opening the loading ramp and causing the ship to list as water flooded in.

It was difficult for those in cabins to reach the boat deck. Water was entering the ship through the car deck and the windows of public areas and cabins on Deck 6.

The Achille Lauro Incident (December 1994)

The Achille Lauro, originally the ocean liner Willem Ruys, was converted into a cruise ship by Italian businessman Achille Lauro in 1965. It had a series of unfortunate events, including collisions and onboard fires.

In 1985, the ship was hijacked by members of the Palestine Liberation Front. On November 30, 1994, the Achille Lauro caught fire while sailing to South Africa. There were 979 passengers and crew onboard. The majority evacuated the next morning when the ship listed, but two people were killed before it sank on December 2.

The Final Voyage of the Sun Vista (May 1999)

The Sun Vista started its journey in 1963 as the SS Galileo Galilei for the Lloyd Triestino line. Over the years, it sailed for five different cruise lines, including as the first-ever cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises, the Meridian. In 1997, it was transferred to Sun Cruises and renamed the Sun Vista.

On May 20, 1999, a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room. The Sun Vista sank in the early morning hours of May 21 in the Strait of Malacca. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were able to escape safely.

The Sinking of the Britanis (October 2000)

The Britanis began its life as the luxury ocean liner SS Monterey in 1932. It later sailed for Chandris under their “Fantasy Cruises” division starting in February 1971. When Chandris shifted focus to the Celebrity Cruises brand, all Fantasy Cruises operations ceased. In 1998, the ship was sold to AG Belofin and renamed Belofin-1.

Instead of being refurbished, the Britanis was sold to scrappers. While being towed to a scrapyard from Brazil, it developed a leak at the back of the ship. With no one on board, the ship was cut free and capsized off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.

The Sinking of SeaBreeze (December 2000)

The SeaBreeze, originally named Federico C., was launched in 1958 and sailed for Costa Cruises. In 1983, it was transferred to Premier Cruises and renamed three times.

Premier Cruises went out of business in September 2000, leading to the ship being laid up. While being moved from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Charleston, South Carolina, by its new owner, Cruise Ventures III, the SeaBreeze sank about 225 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia. All 34 crew members on board were rescued safely.

The ship sank due to the boiler breaking off, causing significant damage to the vessel.

The Sinking of MV Explorer (November 2007)

The MV Explorer, originally the MS Lindblad Explorer, began her career in 1969 as the first ship of her kind to sail through the Antarctic Ocean.

On November 11, 2007, she set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, for a 19-day cruise. After visiting the Falkland Islands, she hit an iceberg in the Bransfield Strait on November 23, causing a gash in the hull that let water in.

All 91 passengers, 53 crew, and 9 guides were able to escape on lifeboats. They stayed there for five hours until the MS Nordnorge rescued them.

The Sinking of MS Sea Diamond (April 2007)

The MS Sea Diamond, originally known as Birka Princess, operated for Birka Line for most of her time at sea. In 2006, she was sold to Louis Cruises Line and renamed. A year later, she ran aground on a reef near Santorini, with 77 students from Paisley Magnet School in North Carolina on board.

Initially, it was believed that all passengers and crew were safe. However, two French citizens, Jean Christophe Allain, 45, and his daughter Maud, 16, were reported missing and never found.

Greek authorities later announced plans to charge the captain and five other officers with negligence.

The Capsizing of Costa Concordia (January 2012)

The Costa Concordia was the first ship of Costa Cruises’ Concordia Class, entering service in 2006. On January 13, 2012, she set sail on a 7-night Mediterranean cruise with 3,206 passengers and 1,023 crew members.

Captain Francesco Schettino veered off course, sailing too close to the island of Giglio. The ship struck a large rock, causing a 174-foot gash in the hull, leading to flooding and loss of power. The ship’s rudder position made it unsteerable, and it began tilting toward the starboard side.

The evacuation took over six hours and resulted in 32 deaths. An investigation focused on the crew’s actions, particularly Captain Schettino’s, as he left the ship while passengers were still on board.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

Why falling off a cruise ship is so deadly

A 35-year-old Australian man who fell overboard on his way back to Brisbane. A Louisiana teen who jumped ship on a dare. A 7-year-old boy who died after falling into the ocean, followed by his mother, who tried to save him.

Overboard incidents on cruise ships are incredibly rare. But when they happen, they usually end in death, experts say.

The Coast Guard said last week it had given up on its search for 30-year-old Jaylen Hill, who went overboard during a four-day Carnival Cruise trip from Florida to the Bahamas. It searched more than 1,300 square miles for him.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the Hill family,” the Coast Guard said on Twitter.

Hill was reported missing by a travel companion hours after he was last seen. Experts say such time gaps between a fall and the start of a search are a big part of why overboard incidents are so deadly.

Even if crew members are immediately aware of the incident, it takes the average ship at least a mile to turn around. The ship usually dispatches life boats and alerts authorities, such as the Coast Guard, which may not be close enough to assist, said Ross Klein, a cruise industry researcher and retired professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In many cases, ships are not aware that someone has gone overboard until a travel partner reports them missing, which could be hours or days later.

By then, it’s often too late.

“It’s a huge ocean. Just being found at all would be incredible,” Klein said. “The longer you are out there, whether you’re alive or not, the lower the possibility of being recovered. The vast majority of people are gone forever.”

Even in cases where a fall is noticed immediately, a lot can go wrong.

“The fall itself can kill you, a cruise ship engine can suck you underneath the water, fear and anxiety or intoxication could prevent you from swimming — there’s many different scenarios,” said Brett Rivkind, a Miami lawyer who specializes in maritime law and represents families in overboard cases. A person can also become unconscious from hypothermia in as little as 15 minutes , depending on sea temperatures.

At least 386 people were reported to have gone overboard, voluntarily or by accident, from 2000 to 2020, according to data Klein compiled. He began tracking overboard cases in 1995 using media reports, tips, information requests and other methods, later serving as an expert witness before Congress.

“People overboard was an area that hadn’t been studied, and, really, there was no data,” he said. “Even within the industry, they said back in 2012 and 2013 before Congress that they don’t keep track of this.”

While it’s true that tens of millions of people vacation on cruise ships every year without incident, experts say a combination of mitigatable risks and loose safety regulations are contributing to deaths.

In a 2020 study , a professor examined more than 620 cruise deaths from 2000 through the end of 2019. He found that overboard incidents — falling, jumping or being thrown — were the leading cause of death among passengers and crew members, accounting for 23 percent of all deaths.

“It’s a lot more common than people think,” said the professor, Travis Heggie, who tracks tourist deaths around the world at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Death rates for overboard incidents vary significantly among cruise lines, according to Klein’s calculations, which he said proves more can be done to protect passengers.

Only a handful of cruise lines have installed man-overboard systems, which use sensors or other technology to immediately detect when a person has fallen or jumped off the vessel, Klein said. (The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 requires vessels to “integrate technology” for detecting falls overboard “to the extent that such technology is available,” and some operators have argued that existing technology is not reliable enough yet.)

The safest cruise lines were able to rescue only 40 percent of overboard passengers, and most save far fewer, he said. The rescue rate was as low as 6 percent on at least one cruise line.

7 facts about the world's biggest cruise ship

The amount of alcohol being served on cruise ships is also a concern cited by several experts, who said passengers are being overserved. Alcohol is involved in up to 60 percent of overboard cases, according to Klein, and alcoholic drinks have become one of the leading sources of onboard revenue for cruise lines in recent years.

“Cruise lines make a lot of money serving alcohol,” Rivkind said, “and what they’ve done over the years is, they’ve moved to all-you-can-drink policies. They often allow them to drink as many as 15 alcoholic beverages a day. To me, that’s a big source of the problem.”

Defenders of the industry often characterize cruise ships as a microcosm of a city, with the same problems that come up on land. But Heggie and others disagree.

“Nobody is saying 23 percent of hotel client deaths are from falling off balconies,” he said.

• Skip to main content

• Elevator & Escalator Accidents
• Aviation Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Trucking Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Boating Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Slip & Fall
• Serious Injuries
• California Wildfire Attorneys
• COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance
• About Our Firm
• Testimonials
• News and Resources
• National Partners
• Sponsorships & Charities
• Se Habla Español

Penney and Associates hits a substantial $14,000,000 (14 million dollar) case in Riverside County for their client, a fast food restaurant cook.

Are Cruise Ships Safe? Assessing Accident & Disease Risk

November 12, 2021 / Boating Accidents

Cruise ships are an extremely popular form of travel and entertainment. In 2019, the global cruise industry welcomed aboard more than 29 million passengers . 

But are cruise ships safe? A look at available statistics suggests that, in general, cruise ships are statistically safe. 

Available statistics show that 448 ‘major’ cruise ship accidents have been reported since 2005.

There is no single governmental organization which investigates and documents accidents on cruise ships in the way that the FAA does with plane crashes. As a result, it is difficult to find authoritative data on the incidence of accidents aboard cruise ships. However, data gathered and compiled by cruisejunkie.com shows that, since 2005, a total of 448 ‘major’ cruise ships accidents have occurred. In this context, a major accident includes a cruise ship which sank, ran aground, caught fire, or collided with an object. 

Two recent incidents highlight these risks. 

• In 2012, the cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground and sank off the Italian coast . Shortly after leaving port, the vessel struck a reef. The impact sheared through the ship’s hull. The tear allowed seawater to seep into the ship and caused the engines to shut off. The ship eventually listed to the starboard side and began sinking in shallow water on its side. This incident resulted in 32 deaths. 
• In 2013, the Carnival Triumph engine room caught fire midway through its voyage. This occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. The engine fire caused major damage to the ship, and it began floating without power. The loss of power resulted in unsanitary conditions for everyone aboard, as the function of toilets and showers stopped working. The passengers and crew were finally rescued after 3 days.

While the above examples are just two of the more than 400 major cruise ship accidents in the past 15 years, both give sense as to the scale of a disaster at sea. But the reality is, 448 major accidents is a small number of accidents compared to the total number of cruises that set sail each year. Based on available statistics, sinking or similar disaster is unlikely to occur while on a cruise ship. 

Between 2000 and 2019, a reported 623 cruise ship passengers and crew died.

Researchers who studied passenger and crew member deaths aboard cruise ships found that a total of 623 people were reported to have died on cruises that took place between 2000 and 2019. Of the 623 fatalities, 557 were passengers and 66 were crew members. Eighty-seven percent of the deaths occurred while the ship was at sea, while the other thirteen percent occurred while the ship was docked.

The table below shows the top three causes of death:

Cardiac-related deaths may be the result of underlying health conditions, especially given that the majority of cruise-goers are 50-79 years old . It is very clear that caution must be taken to prevent falls overboard, both by ships and their passengers. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common types of accident for cruise passengers and crew. Both alcohol consumption and passengers climbing atop deck railings contribute to this risk of falling. 

To give additional perspective, there are 323 cruise ships in the world operated by more than 20 companies. The total passenger capacity of these ships is more than 540,000. The total number of passengers and crew fatalities pales in comparison to the number of people who board a cruise ship each year. 

In this way, hitching a ride on a cruise ship is similar to boarding a commercial airplane. Deaths aboard a cruise ship are rare and the chance of one occurring is small. But the fact remains that accidents resulting in injury or death can and do happen. It is important to be cautious and follow the rules while on a cruise ship. 

The COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder for cruise-goers that diseases pose a particularly high risk on cruise ships.

The spread of disease aboard a cruise ship is not a new phenomenon. The CDC says they treat hundreds of cruise passengers for gastrointestinal diseases each year. In 2019, more than 500 passengers and crew aboard a single cruise ship were infected with gastrointestinal disease. This single outbreak resulted in more infected cruise passengers than the entire 2018 calendar year. 

The potential for disease outbreak aboard a cruise ship became more evident as thousands of passengers contracted COVID-19 while traveling on cruises in early 2020. Over 700 passengers and crew aboard Diamond Princess fell ill with coronavirus in February 2020. Dozens of other cruise ships reported COVID-19 outbreaks around the same time.  The close quarters on cruise ships, as well as travelers from different geographic regions commingling, facilitate the spread of disease on a cruise. Cruise ships that experienced COVID-19 outbreaks were forced to dock, and passengers and crew forced to stay onboard to quarantine. 

The spread of disease aboard a cruise ship is not a new safety concern, but is now much more obvious. Of course, it is very difficult to predict an outbreak. If you are itching to set sail, follow local health guidelines before you board, follow the ship’s health guidelines, and be sure to wash your hands and take other precautions to help maintain a germ-free environment. 

Taking a cruise can be a fun, memorable experience. While it is good to remain cautious aboard any type of commercial transportation, in general, cruise ships are statistically safe. 

* This blog is not meant to dispense legal advice and is not a comprehensive review of the facts, the law, this topic or cases related to the topic. For a full review of our disclaimer and policies, please click here .

Swimming Pool Accidents in California: What the Statistics Reveal

Where Are Boaters Most at Risk in California Waterways?

What Are 10 Common Accidents in the Summer?

The Penney & Associates® firm has offices in Sacramento, Roseville, Santa Clara, Chico, Rocklin and Irvine with satellite offices in Fairfield, Sunnyvale, San Francisco, San Diego and Southern California.

About Our Firm Locations * Disclaimer Entrepreneur

CASES COVERED

Elevator & Escalator Accidents Aviation Accidents Car Accidents Trucking Accidents Dog Bites Motorcycle Accidents Wrongful Death Serious Injuries Boating Accidents Bicycle Accidents Slip & Fall

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Cruise Line Incident Reports

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010 prescribes security and safety requirements for most cruise ships that embark and disembark in the United States. The Act mandates that reports of criminal activity be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2010
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2011
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun  2011
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul -  30 Sep 2011
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2011
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2012
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2012
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul  - 30 Sep 2012
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2012
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2013
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2013
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2013
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2013
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2014
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2014
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 July - 30 Sep 2014
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2014
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - Mar 31 2015
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2015
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2015
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2015
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2016
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2016
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2016
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2016
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2017
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2017
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2017
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2017
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2018
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2018
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2018
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2018
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2019
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2019
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2019
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2019
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2020
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2020
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2020
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2020
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2021
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2021
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2021
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2021
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2022
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2022
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2022
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2022
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2023
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2023
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jul - 30 Sep 2023
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2023
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2024
• Cruise Line Incident Report - 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2024

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

A Timeline of Notable Cruise Ship Accidents and Saves

After the six tragic deaths reported from the sinking of the Costa Concordia, many people are thinking about ship safety. But in general, cruising is a very safe way to travel, and the industry has a good record: As Cruise Lines International's Michael Crye pointed out this week, more than 100 million passengers boarded cruise ships since 2005 and less than 20 deaths related to maritime accidents have been recorded. That's not bad at all. Here, a timeline of notable past accidents.

The Ship: Costa Concordia ( Costa Cruises )

What Happened: The vessel ran aground off the coast of Tuscany.

Casualties: At least 6 (search efforts are still ongoing).

The Ship:_ _ Louis Majesty ( Louis Cruise Lines )

What Happened: Waves as high as 26 feet crashed into the ship off northeast Spain.

Casualties: 2

**The Ship: ** Carnival Splendor ( Carnvial )

What Happened: An engine room fire left the ship without any power. The vessel, with its 4,500 passengers, had to be towed by tugboat to San Diego.

Casualties: None

The Ship: Costa Europa (Costa Cruises)

**What Happened: **The ship crashed into the pier at Sharm El Sheikh when trying to dock in bad weather.

Casualties: Three crew members

The Ship: Brilliance of the Seas ( Royal Caribbean )

**What Happened: **Winds reached 70 knots in a terrible storm , tossing the ship so violently that windows broke and furniture was strewn about.

**Casualties: **None

The Ship: Sea Diamond (Louis Cruise Lines)

What Happened: Hit a reef off the coast of Santorini in April of 2007 and sank soon after. 1,600 aboard.

Cruise Ship: Star Princess ( Princess Cruises )

What Happened: A fire broke out , possibly from a cigarette left burning on a balcony. The fire caused damage in up to 250 cabins.

Casualties: 1

The Ship: Norwegian Dawn ( Norwegian Cruise Line )

**What Happened: **Struck by a 70-foot rogue wave that flooded cabins and broke windows.

The Ship: Sun Vista (Sun Cruises)

What Happened: Fire in the engine room spread to the entire ship. All passengers and crew abandoned ship, which sank in the straits of Malacca.

**The Ship: ** Achille Lauro (Starlauro, now MSC)

What Happened: An engine room fire engulfed the ship forcing 1,000 passengers to evacuate. The vessel sank in the Indian Ocean off East Africa.

**The Ship: ** Sally Albatross (Sally Cruise)

What Happened: The ship ran aground outside of the Gulf of Finland and was towed to shallow waters. All her passengers evacuated.

The Ship: _Oceonos _(Epirotiki Lines)

What Happened: Rough seas led to damage to the hull. Flooding ensued and the ship was evacuated.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Man overboard: Cruise ship overboards and how they happen

We've all heard sad news reports of people going overboard on cruises. If you're someone who hasn't cruised before or who isn't familiar with ships, it sounds scary. But is it true? Can you really fall off a cruise ship? What do the authorities do in a cruise ship overboard situation?

Here's everything you need to know about what happens in a "man overboard" situation on a cruise ship and how to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Is falling off a cruise ship easy?

No. Cruise ships have railings — usually about chest height on the average person — on all open deck areas and cabin balconies. They are placed intentionally to ensure passenger safety.

The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to. It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel.

Play by the rules and remain in control of your actions, and you don't have to worry about inadvertently falling overboard from a cruise ship.

Related: Are cruises safe? Here's what you need to know about cruise ship security and safety

How does someone go overboard from a cruise ship?

Accidental overboards can happen when cruisers have had too much to drink and climb on top of railings, enter restricted areas or attempt dangerous — and potentially fatal — stunts like climbing from balcony to balcony. One sad story involved a grandfather holding his baby granddaughter up to an open window to see the view and then losing his grip and dropping her.

It's impossible to discuss cruise-ship man-overboard incidents without mentioning that some of them are, in fact, intentional. Some cruisers purposefully jump off cruise ships to commit suicide. Passengers caught up in a physical fight or wishing to do harm could push someone off the ship, though it would take some effort.

Are man overboard situations common on cruise ships?

In many cases, stories of passengers "falling off" of cruise ships make it seem like it's a regular occurrence or that there's a grave risk you could be swept over the side while going about your daily vacation activities. In reality, one or two people go overboard each month out of roughly 2.5 million who cruise during the same time frame.

Between 2009 and 2019, there have been 212 man overboard incidents on cruise ships, according to a Report on Operational Incidents issued by the Cruise Lines International Association. That works out to roughly 19 overboards each year.

Cases of people falling off ships are also on the decline. "From 2009 to 2019, man overboard incidents have declined with an incidence of 0.00004 overboard reports per active lower berth (synonymous with a cabin's bed) in 2019," reports CLIA. "This is 64% of the figure recorded in 2009."

Related: 15 cruise ship rules you shouldn't break

What happens when someone falls off a cruise ship?

When it's determined that someone has gone over the side, the bridge — the ship's control center — will contact the coast guard, and a search will begin.

Officers will attempt to pinpoint when and where the incident happened, allowing the search to cover a particular radius where the individual is predicted to be. The search will be called off after either the passenger is found or the ship is cleared by the coast guard to continue its voyage.

If your ship is involved in a search for a missing passenger, it might have to skip a port call or delay its return home to account for the time spent retracing its route to look for the person overboard.

What should you do if you see a cruise ship overboard?

If you witness someone falling off a cruise ship, throw them a life buoy or other flotation device if you're near one. You can often find orange life rings attached to deck railings.

It's crucial to then alert a crew member that you witnessed a man overboard and have the crew alert the bridge. Note the time the overboard occurred. With this information, the bridge officers can identify the exact position of the ship at that time, so it can return to that location to search for the missing guest.

Related: 6 cruise mistakes that will ruin your vacation in an instant

Can you survive going overboard from a cruise ship?

Unfortunately, it's rare that a passenger is found alive. A Carnival cruiser who fell off a ship over Thanksgiving 2022 made headlines when he was rescued after spending close to 20 hours in the Gulf of Mexico. He was lucky because his positive outcome is not common.

Overboards are particularly grim when the ship is moving, as the vessel's speed and current mean that a person can be swept away quickly. If they aren't immediately seen, it can be a while before the captain realizes what has happened.

Chances of survival vary, depending on the circumstances of the fall. A passenger could be injured if they hit part of the ship as they fall. Should they survive the fall, water temperature also plays a significant role in how long a person can remain alive. You have a better chance of waiting out a rescue in the warm Caribbean sea than in chilly Alaskan waters.

Of the 212 overboard incidents mentioned earlier, 48 of those (roughly 28%) were rescued alive, CLIA reports. That amounts to four or five rescues each year.

Any time an overboard occurs, cruise lines offer assistance to friends, family or other travel companions traveling with the passenger in question.

Bottom line

If you stick to the areas where you're allowed to be as a passenger, you don't have to worry about falling overboard on a cruise.

Always pay attention to safety messages and signage that indicates which parts of the ship are meant for crew only, and drink alcohol responsibly.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• More banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

• Travel Podcast
• Work with Travel Experta

• Travel Tips
• Central America
• El Salvador
• United States
• Who is Marina ‘Travel Experta’
• Work With Marina ‘Travel Experta’

What Cruise Line Has The Most Accidents

Cruises are one of the most relaxing ways people enjoy taking a vacation. There are so many onboard amenities that it’s hard to be bored or stressed.  

From shore excursions to activities for kids to exciting nightlife, cruises allow everyone in the family to have fun, all while sailing in the middle of the ocean. 

However, amid the allure of cruise vacations , there is an underlying threat or danger that some people cannot ignore. Cruise ship accidents have, on occasion, cast a shadow over this otherwise idyllic form of travel. 

Though relatively rare, these incidents have fueled the fears of some potential travelers, making them hesitant to embark on a cruise. 

In this article, we look at aspects of cruise ship accidents, their causes, and what passengers should be aware of. 

This article also aims to provide a balanced perspective for those considering a cruise vacation.

We also look at the question, ‘What cruise line has the most accidents’ and options for the safest cruise lines.

Table of Contents

Planning a Trip? Check Out These Helpful Services:

Find the best flight deals

This is the site I recommend , you can check all the different prices.

Best accommodation prices

I highly recommend this one , it’s the best option right now for most places to stay.

The best way to get around is by car

Check out this site to rent a car and go at your own pace.

If you are considering a vacation on a cruise liner with a strong record in safety, then consider taking a vacation on the Disney Cruise Line , which is well-known for its family-friendly cruises and its commitment to passenger safety. 

Disney Cruise Line has robust security measures and stringent safety protocols, and according to CDC data, Disney Cruise Line scored the highest on CDC inspections, which speaks volumes about their safety regulations.

But let’s look more at the common accidents on cruise lines and which cruise lines have a sketchy safety and accident record in recent years.

How Often Do Cruise Line Accidents Occur?

According to the Maritime Injury Guide, which collects information from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) , BBC, U.S. Coast Guard, National Geographic, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), between 2005 and 2011, there were 100 million passengers on cruise ships.

And since 2005 up until 2023, there have been 448 major cruise ship accidents reported

But really, no international agency gathers this data for reporting cruise ship accident statistics. 

Also, the different cruise lines themselves are not too keen on revealing any negative information about the safety of their vessels.

So, at the end of the day, it’s difficult to know precisely how often accidents occur on cruise lines yearly.

But you came to this article to find out what cruise line has the most accidents, so let’s answer this question with data accessible to everyone.

What Cruise Line has the Most Accidents?

Most people are worried about catastrophic events, such as a collision with an iceberg or an engine fire in the middle of the Atlantic.

But there are many threats on a cruise ship , even if it maintains a regular course and functions during your vacation. 

Some cruise lines have had more accidents, small fires, reports of sexual assault, slip and falls, and other reported injuries from passengers and crew members than others.

As stated earlier, between 2005 and 2011, there were 100 million passengers on cruise lines, making it evident that despite any safety concerns, many people still enjoy taking a cruise ship vacation .

But when it comes down to the question of ‘what cruise line has the most accidents’, it’s hard to look past Carnival Cruise Lines.

A study published in 2020 analyzed data obtained from 78 cruise lines that looked at passenger and crew deaths between 2000 and 2019. 

Of the 623 reported deaths, the most passenger deaths occurred on Carnival Cruise Lines (29%), followed by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines at 12% and 10%, respectively.

Interestingly, Carnival Cruise Lines also led in this statistic regarding crew deaths, but they were tied with Royal Caribbean Cruises. According to other statistics, since 1995, there have been 268 overboard accidents on Carnival Cruise Lines, and since 2013 there have been 64 cases of rape reported.

An article by a well-known cruise ship lawyer Michael Ehline, looked at the 13 worst cruise ship incidents and assaults in history, and Carnival Cruise Line was at the top of this list as probably the least safe cruise line.

Carnival Cruise Line is known for one of the worst cruise line disasters in history in what is known as the Costa Concordia disaster that happened in 2012, where 33 people died, including 27 passengers, after the ship struck a rock formation on the seafloor.

Essential Travel Resources

❗Don’t forget travel insurance

This company is the one I trust, it’s one of the most essential things for any trip. It has your back in case you get sick abroad, or have an accident.

🎒Pack smarter, not bulky

Check out this vacation packing list , including all the essentials you need to pack when traveling, from travel clothing to backpacks and more.

🏡Where to Stay – Here are Suggestions

This is my favorite place to look for accommodations , it offers different types, a ton of locations, and good price options.

🗺️Get Around Hassle-Free

This one is the perfect option to look for different transportation options between cities, from flights, buses, and taxis to minivans and more.

🛫Find Cheap Flights

Whenever I need to fly, I head to this website for low-cost flights.

Common Cruise Line Accidents

Accidents or other emergencies can happen on cruise ships in a few different ways. Below are some of the more common ones that you should always be cautious of if considering a cruise vacation.

Fires rarely happen on cruise ships, but they do occur. One might think the most logical place that fires would start is in kitchens because of the amount of food that has to be cooked for the thousands of passengers and crew members.

However, most fires begin due to electrical wiring issues, engine problems, or generator problems. When a fire has occurred on a cruise ship, there is usually an investigation that follows. However, the passengers may never know more about what happened because the investigation may be conducted in the country where the ship is registered.

Slip And Fall

Cruise ships have slippery decks that can get wet from rain, ocean mist, or spilled drinks and food. The floor can get wet, especially around pool decks where people walk around wet, causing people to slip. 

When drinks have been spilled, or the floor is wet for any other reason, crew members should clean it immediately and place a warning indicating passengers and other crew members must be careful where they step.

Shore Excursions

These are some of the biggest reasons why people take cruises, to begin with. But they often require the participant to put themselves in dangerous situations, such as climbing mountains or waterfalls or swimming in caves.

In early 2020, the novel coronavirus made headlines because it spread particularly fast on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. 

Not much was known about the virus then, and not much was done to contain its spread, leading to more people getting sick.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself?

It is always wise to take out travel insurance for a cruise line or anytime you travel to be safe.

After reading through this article, it’s clear that with some of the risks involved with cruise line accidents, you should contact your insurance provider immediately if you suffer an injury while on a cruise vacation.

Tip: Cruises are usually safe places for tourists, but be aware!

Accidents do occur!

Get travel insurance before starting your journey.

I recommend Visitors Coverage .

What Cruise Line Has The Most Accidents? Wrap Up

The cruise vacation industry continues to flourish despite known accidents and injuries. The truth is that most cruise ship accidents are relatively rare incidents, and most cruise ship vacationers have an enjoyable, relaxing, and memorable experience.

Statistics don’t lie, and 100 million people took cruise vacations in 6 years (2005-2011), which shows that many people are eager to book a cruise vacation .

We have looked at the question of what cruise line has the most accidents. While there are no official statistics from global bodies such as the IMO, from the data available, it is hard to look past Carnival Cruise Lines as probably one of the least safe regarding accidents and other incidents.

But companies like Disney Cruise lines have shown vital safety records and regulations with high ratings. From my experience, Disney Cruise is one to consider if you are looking for a cruise ship vacation experience you won’t soon forget, all while maintaining peace of mind, too!

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission for any purchases made through the links. Your trust is important to us, and we ensure that all products or services we recommend meet or exceed our editorial standards .

Last Updated on November 20, 2023

Need more? Try these

• How to Plan the Perfect Golf Tour: Tips for First-Timers
• How to Manage Your Health Abroad
• Skiing holiday in France? Go to the sunny Portes du Soleil!
• Discovering the Pinnacle of Winter Luxury: Your Ultimate Guide to Sälen’s Finest Ski Lodge
• A Comprehensive Guide on Supercar Rental in Dubai

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Make Every Day an Adventure Get your 365 days of Adventure List FREE And Start Living them NOW!

• WORK WITH ME
• Make Every Day an Adventure

LET´S BE FRIENDS

2 crew members die on Holland America ship; fire breaks out on Carnival cruise

MIAMI — Two crew members died on board a Holland America cruise ship, and a fire broke out on a Carnival ship while both of the ships were in the Bahamas this weekend, officials said.

The two crew on the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam died Friday during an "accidental steam release" while it was calling at the private resort island Half Moon Cay, Holland America said in a statement on Sunday.

"There was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members," the cruise line said.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board were investigating the exact cause of the release, Holland America said.

A representative of the Bahama’s Coroner’s Court did not immediately respond to a request for information, such as the crew members’ identities and the cause and manner of death.

The cruise line said the conclusions of any investigation would be taken seriously. "Safety is always our top priority, and we are working to understand what, if anything, can be learned from this tragic accident," it said.

Passenger Laine Doss said she was on board when the captain announced the deaths on the vessel's P.A. system.

"We were celebrating the last day of the cruise," she said, when the mood changed "to something extremely somber."

The captain's voice broke, she said.

"He broke down crying," Doss said. "There was a moment of silence that the captain requested. And that entire scenario did affect the entire cruise. Things were canceled, joyous events were canceled, and we really just thought about mortality — the people who perished on the ship."

Crew members were being offered counseling, Holland America said.

Dutch government inspectors determined the vessel to be "fully operable," and this was "confirmed" by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cruise line said.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said she was looking into the statement and was unable to immediately confirm it.

The Nieuw Amsterdam returned Saturday to its home port of Fort Lauderdale, guests disembarked, and the vessel has embarked on a cruise with a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday, Holland America said.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event," the cruise line said. "We’ve been in contact with the families of both team members and are offering our support to them and to all of our crew at this difficult time."  

The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

Fire on the port-side exhaust funnel of another Florida-based cruise ship in the Bahamas, the Carnival Freedom, rocked some passengers Saturday and took the ship out of commission for repairs, the cruise line said.

No injuries were reported.

In a statement Sunday, Carnival Cruises acknowledged witness reports of a lightning strike or the sound of thunder before the fire erupted.

Passenger Heath Barnes said the ship was on a detoured path, destined for an unscheduled stop in Freeport, as a result of stormy weather and high winds when fire started.

"I was shocked," he said. "I mean, I looked out there and you're not supposed to see black smoke and fire shooting out of the tail end of the cruise."

The blaze was preceded by "the loudest thunder-lightning clap that I've ever heard in my life," Barnes said.

Ship personnel extinguished the fire, Carnival Cruises said.

The cruise line said a technical team determined the ship sustained enough damage that it will need repairs before it can be returned to scheduled cruises. The funnel was stabilized, passengers were expected to be returned to Port Canaveral, and the ship will set off to Freeport for repairs, it said.

"The damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," Carnival Cruises said.

Passengers scheduled for those late-March cruises are being offered full refunds and credit that can be used for a future cruise, it said.

It was the second funnel fire on the Carnival Freedom since 2022.

Marissa Parra is a national correspondent for NBC News based in Miami, Florida.

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

1-305-271-8282

Hablamos Espanol

20 Million Passengers Cruise Each Year, But How Many Are Injured?

And of those, how many of those accidents occurred because the cruise line or its crew did (or did not do) something to prevent the accident from happening?

The truth is, we don’t know . The cruise line industry does a very poor job of collecting and sharing that information. The reason? It’s probably because they don’t want to interfere with the marketing messages that depict cruise vacations as fun, care-free and family friendly.

But imagine – if even 1% of those 20 million passengers incurs and injury that’s 200,000 passengers who are hurt and confused about what action to take.

The Reality is, Accidents Happen on Cruise Ships

The reality is however, that cruise ships are just like other places – accidents are bound to happen. And many of these accidents are avoidable. Negligence plays a role in many injuries sustained by passengers (and crew) aboard cruise ships.

• Wet decks are not properly marked and people fall.
• Hallways are crowded with luggage and people trip.
• Medical staff misdiagnoses an injury and it gets worse.
• Stairways and gangways are broken, unstable or slick and someone stumbles.

Injured Passengers Do Have Rights

The ways people can be injured on a cruise ship is endless. Fortunately for these passengers, cruise ship personal injury lawyers can act as advocates for the passenger, helping them understand their legal rights and provide a course of action if a lawsuit needs to be filed against the cruise line for financial compensation for the injury.

If it can be proved that the injured was cause by the negligence of the cruise line or crew, there is a good chance that the passenger can be compensated for their injury. This is important as medical bills, unemployment and other considerations can have a severe financial impact on the injured passenger.

Contact the CruiseLawyers Law Firm

Waks and Barnett personal injury attorneys have successfully represented passengers who have been seriously injured, hurt or medically impaired while on a cruise vacation for over 25 years.

We also represent crewmembers who were injured while working on cruise ships and commerical vessels.

Whether your accident occurred on a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney or Princess cruise – or any of the other cruise lines out there, we can help you.

How can we help you? Call us at 800-905-2891.