Carnival cruise quickly turns into nightmare as ship rocked by raging storm National

Table Of Content

• The Aftermath: Passenger Experiences and Industry Repercussions
• 'People shrieking in tears': Cruise passengers returned to flooded cars at port
• Valerie Bertinelli and boyfriend Mike Goodnough go Instagram-official with Taylor Swift-inspired caption
• Carnival cruise passengers outraged after terrifying ordeal through storm
• Human Factors and Safety Procedures: Assessing Passenger Response and Crew Actions
• Princess Cruises Ship Cancels Port Visits Due to Congestion

Carnival Cruise Line told Insider in a statement that the ship's "return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday." While returning to Galveston at the end of a 14-night sailing, Carnival Dream encountered such severe weather that both guests and crew members were confined to their staterooms until conditions improved. From the Bahamas when it got caught in severe weather, including nearly 80 mph winds.

The Aftermath: Passenger Experiences and Industry Repercussions

Some passengers and crew members needed “minor assistance” from medical staff, a Carnival cruise spokesman told CBS News. The National Hurricane Center on Friday warned of a non-tropical area of low pressure off Florida that was set to move northward and inland over the Carolinas during the weekend. Forecasters said there would be gusty winds, dangerous surf and rip current conditions along portions of the U.S.'s southeastern coast through Sunday. Throughout the storm, Branham wondered why there weren’t more announcements from Carnival staff.

'People shrieking in tears': Cruise passengers returned to flooded cars at port

Taylor said the weather was great prior to the large waves that were churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast. Water damage and broken glass were left in the hallways and rooms following the storm. Mardi Gras is not the first Carnival cruise ship team to be honored for lifesaving efforts.

Valerie Bertinelli and boyfriend Mike Goodnough go Instagram-official with Taylor Swift-inspired caption

"We had a few rain patches here and there, but not enough to affect a vacation," Taylor said. "What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child, and the elderly is something I will never forget," Seifert-alicea told WCIV-TV. Videos shared online by vacationers show flooded hallways littered with glass and other debris, doors ripped off their hinges and downed pipes laying soaked on the floor.

On May 27, 2023, the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship encountered a violent storm off the coast of North Carolina, sending shockwaves through the cruise industry and raising concerns about passenger safety. Daniel Taylor, of Albemarle, North Carolina, was one of the passengers aboard the ship and reported water damage and communication outages, as well as high waves that battered the vessel. He spoke to FOX Weather after documenting his experience in a timeline of events. On the last day of a 14-night cruise that included a visit to the Panama Canal, Carnival Dream encountered such severe weather in the Gulf of Mexico that all guests, as well as the ship’s crew members, were asked to return to their staterooms. This was done as a precaution for what could have been unsafe conditions on decks and in stairways.

She drove four hours in her new 2023 Kia Sportage from her home in Forest City, North Carolina, to Charleston for the cruise. We were surrounded by lightning and the ship took a huge hit by a wave and sounded like it split in two. “Myself being in emergency services and retired, I knew nobody was going to come rescue us with winds over 40 knots,” he told CBS News.

Carnival cruise ship damaged during Jamaica storm - FOX 35 Orlando

Carnival cruise ship damaged during Jamaica storm.

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

The incident highlighted the need for comprehensive safety drills and training programs for passengers, enabling them to respond effectively to emergencies. The industry’s response to the Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident demonstrates its dedication to learning from past mistakes and prioritizing passenger safety. Cruise lines are continually striving to ensure that incidents like this are minimized, if not completely avoided, in the future. Passengers reported scenes of chaos and confusion as the ship’s crew worked tirelessly to ensure their safety. Some praised the crew for their professionalism and quick thinking, while others expressed frustration at the lack of communication and organization during the crisis.

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

Cruise lines invest heavily in ensuring their vessels are built to withstand adverse weather conditions. By examining the storm’s intensity and impact, the ship’s design and structural integrity, as well as the human factors and safety procedures, we can gain valuable insights into how to improve safety measures and better protect passengers in the future. It is important to note that despite the challenging circumstances, the majority of passengers and crew members were able to safely disembark the Carnival Sunshine once the storm had passed. The incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and the importance of preparedness and quick action in such situations. The cruise ship was returning after a six-day cruise of the Bahamas and Carnival confirmed the storm delayed the boat’s return to port and it arrived about nine hours behind schedule. A Carnival Cruise Line ship was rocked by rough weather on its way back to the U.S. over the weekend.

AFRAS has been awarding this type of recognition since approximately 2004, with the more formalized Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award beginning in 2017. Some localized flooding occurred on the ship in different areas, as well as disarrayed furniture and other minor issues. Crew members were quick to respond and clean up the affected hallways and public areas, and no significant damage was reported. The poor weather also resulted in the cancellation of a popular loyalty event as well as several entertainment options, but the ship did return to her homeport safely. Guests and crew members on Carnival Dream were confined to their cabins when the ship encountered a severe squall in the Gulf of Mexico. "The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed."

Unfortunately, the poor weather did lead to the cancellation of some evening entertainment, as the motion of the ship could have been unsafe for performers. Crew Center, a cruise ship information site, posted a video on Twitter showing a flooded hallway, torn-off doors and other debris and destruction on board. Herold called her insurance provider who said they would set up the towing and a rental car so she could drive home to North Carolina. When Herold took an Uber to Enterprise, they told her they were out of cars and she had to wait a few hours until a car was available. As one of the first groups to arrive at the parking lot, Herold found her new car – which had less than 10,000 miles – with its airbag deployed, four inches of water in the car and the doors unlocked. “It was terrifying,” passenger William B. Blackburn told CNN of the nightmare experience, saying he and his family took shelter in their cabin and prayed.

Cruise Ship Floods In Gulf Of Mexico Storm - Videos from The Weather Channel - The Weather Channel

Cruise Ship Floods In Gulf Of Mexico Storm - Videos from The Weather Channel.

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

It was the last thing Carnival Sunshine passengers expected when they returned to the Port of Charleston on Monday afternoon. Passengers had just endured a rocky cruise to the Bahamas only to come to a flooded parking lot and their cars ruined. The National Hurricane Center warned of a non-tropical area of low pressure off the Florida coast of Friday that was expected to head toward the Carolinas over the weekend.

“Waves were hitting the boat so hard that it was like an earthquake experience, jarring you like a really rough roller coaster — even in the middle floor,” Branham said. The findings from these audits should be used as a basis for implementing corrective actions and enhancing safety protocols. National Weather Service meteorologists were expecting waves upwards of 15 feet Friday, but some computer models indicated wave heights could reach 20 feet in the storm system. One passenger posted a video of the interior of a cabin as the storm pounded the ship, adding that guests had been evacuated from one of the bars after over 30 liquor bottles fell off the bar and broke. The spokesperson added that the Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on a five-day Bahamas cruise and will return to Charleston on Thursday.