In the past century, only a few cruise ships have sunk, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of passengers and crew members. The most infamous sinking was that of the Titanic in 1912. On 13 January 2012, the Costa Cruises vessel Costa Concordia deviated from her planned route at Isola del Giglio, Tuscany. Only twenty-four cruise ships, both river and ocean liners, have sunk since 1912.
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. The cruise ship Ocean Vista sank off the coast of Carnival Splendor, while Carnivals Splendor suffered a similar fate in November 2011. No Carnival Cruise Line ship has sunk while in active service with the company.
Looking at the past 100 years, roughly one cruise ship has sunk every five years, most of which occurred in the last 111 years. Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk. Newer, more advanced cruise ships can’t actually sink, as they can run straight into icebergs and keep going, making them less likely to sink.
📹 Carnival cruise passengers outraged after terrifying ordeal through storm
Passengers say most of the journey on the Carnival Sunshine was a breeze, but then the ship crossed paths with a major …
How many Carnival cruises sank?
Zero. Carnival Cruise Lines is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & PLC. They’ve had over 30 different ships since the early 1970’s and not a single ship has ever sunk.
How common are cruise ship murders?
“Although cruise-ship murders are incredibly rare, they do happen,” she wrote. “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.
Which cruise line has the most accidents?
The Least Secure Cruise Lines of 2023Carnival Cruise Line: 51 incidents.Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 27 incidents.Disney Cruise Line: 20 incidents.MSC Cruise Lines: 10 incidents.
In November 2023, Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery entered rough seas off the coast of France near the Bay of Biscay. For 18 hours, the ship was battered by 50-foot waves, leaving over 100 people injured with broken bones, damaged pelvises, lacerations, and other injuries. Passengers reported texting their loved ones in case the ship capsized; they slept in their life vests, prepared to sink at any moment.
In a subsequent statement, Saga Cruises revealed that most of the injuries occurred when the waves activated the ship’s automatic safety system, causing the ship to veer and stop suddenly. The force of it sent people and furniture flying, which was especially damaging for elderly passengers who made up a majority of the guests.
Cruise line incidents like these are rare. In fact, cruise line companies call themselves the safest form of leisure travel due to low incident rates in a decade of larger and more numerous cruises. Of course, these companies—the largest of which are worth tens of billions—stake their value on being safe and secure.
What is the likelihood of a cruise ship sinking?
The possibility exists, but the probability is extremely low. There have been a few instances where cruise ships lost power and were tossed about, but they did not sink. There have been quite a few instances of medium sized ferryboats sinking in a storm, but they are definitely not as safe as a large cruise ship.
What was the worst cruise ship incident?
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.
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.
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.
Had a cruise ship ever capsized?
On 13 January 2012, the seven-year-old Costa Cruises vessel Costa Concordia was on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea when she deviated from her planned route at Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, sailed closer to the island, and struck a rock formation on the sea floor. This caused the ship to list and then to partially sink, landing unevenly on an underwater ledge. Although a six-hour rescue effort brought most of the passengers ashore, 33 people died: 27 passengers, five crew, and, later, a member of the salvage team.
An investigation focused on shortcomings in the procedures followed by Costa Concordia’s crew and the actions of her captain, Francesco Schettino, who left the ship prematurely. He left about 300 passengers on board the sinking vessel, most of whom were rescued by helicopter or motorboats in the area. Schettino was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Despite receiving its own share of criticism, Costa Cruises and its parent company, Carnival Corporation, did not face criminal charges.
Costa Concordia was declared a “constructive total loss” by the cruise line’s insurer, and her salvage was “one of the biggest maritime salvage operations”. On 16 September 2013, the parbuckle salvage of the ship began, and by the early hours of 17 September, the ship was set upright on her underwater cradle. In July 2014, the ship was refloated using sponsons (flotation tanks) welded to her sides, and was towed 320 kilometres (200mi) to her home port of Genoa for scrapping, which was completed in July 2017.
What to do if a cruise ship is sinking?
Get to the Life Boats. Without pushing or shoving, find a lifejacket, put it on before helping anyone else, and get yourself on a lifeboat in an orderly fashion.
You can decide whether you let women and children on the boats first – but know that the longer you stay aboard, the lower your chances of survival. It could be said that a man’s willingness to let the ladies go first decreases as the speed of the sinking ship increases.
However, if you end up in the water instead of aboard a life raft, your odds of survival drop by as much as 70%. Thewater surrounding the Titanicwhen it sank was 28 degrees, giving swimmers about 15-30 minutes before their hearts stopped.
- Continue to remain calm.
- Protect your skin from the sun.
- Drink fresh water sparingly.
Are cruise ships safer than planes?
Comparing Cruise Ships and Planes. While both cruise ships and planes have their safety measures in place, it’s essential to consider the specific risks associated with each mode of transportation. Cruise ships may have a higher likelihood of incidents such as gastrointestinal illnesses due to close proximity among passengers. On the other hand, planes are more susceptible to accidents caused by factors like extreme weather conditions or technical failures.
Cruise Ship vs. Plane Safety Conclusion. Ultimately, the safety of cruise ships and planes depends on various factors. While statistically, both modes of transportation have low incident rates, it’s crucial to exercise caution regardless of the choice. Ensure that you follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by the crew or airline staff. By taking appropriate precautions, travelers can enjoy a safe journey whether on land or in the air.
What cruise ship recently sank?
They were using a kayak to stay afloat. According to the cruise line Carnival Jubilee’s team rescued the men off the coast of Isla Mujeres Mexico. We’ve.
When was the last time a cruise ship sank?
When was the most recent cruise ship sinking?. The most recent time that a cruise ship sank was in August of 2020, when the Orient Queen was severely damaged during the Beirut explosion. At the time, the ship was moored in the Port of Beirut and was not carrying any passengers.
Although two crew members were killed as a result of the explosion, things could have been much worse if the ship was fully loaded with passengers and crew. The explosion caused the ship to capsize and eventually sink. While the loss of the cruise ship was undoubtedly newsworthy, its sinking was completely due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances.
Being caught up in an explosion unrelated to the ship itself was more just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time than a result of any fault in the ship’s design or the crew’s decision-making. This explains why the Mar Lines cruise line is involved in a lengthy lawsuit that caused the deadly explosion with the warehouse owners.
Is it rare for a cruise ship to sink?
A cruise ship sinking is an extremely rare occurrence. Modern cruise ships are equipped with advanced safety measures, technology, and protocols that significantly minimize the risk of sinking. Still, there are various types of accidents that can occur on cruise ships and at ports that can cause serious injuries to passengers. Victims of such accidents may be able to recover monetary damages for the harm they incurred.
If you were injured because of an accident on a cruise ship, seek support from our experienced cruise ship accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at 204-5369.
Do Cruise Ships Sink?. Cruise ships are meticulously designed and equipped with state-of-the-art safety measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. As a result of these stringent safety protocols, the sinking of cruise ships is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Throughout history, there have been a few notable instances of cruise ships sinking, each with its own unique circumstances and causes.
📹 The Story Of The Costa Concordia
On the evening of January 13th, 2012, the cruise industry was forever changed after the modern, family cruise ship, the Costa …
An update for those who might be curious. Schettino was arrested, sentenced to 16 years in jail and had his family and career destroyed. He is widely considered a national shame and was at one point the most reviled man in Italy. To this day people throughout the country despise him and his actions. De Falco (the Coast Guard officer) became a Senator for one term only to then return to the Coast Guard. Funnily enough, the two men come from the same city (Naples).
The coast guard is class here. That job comes with an immense duty of care and you shouldn’t take the position unless you understand what that means for you. In 1956 another Italian Captain Piero Calamai conducted the most successful rescue at Sea in history. His ship collided with another ship initially killing 46 people. After making sure all surviving passengers were rescued he refused help stating he wanted to go down with his ship as atonement for the collision which was later found to be the fault of the other ship. The rescue party refused to leave Piero to die however and he lived until 1972. It’s reported that the accident haunted him, he never sailed again and on his death bed asked “are the passengers safe? Are the passengers off?” A true Captain.
I replayed the Coast Guard’s call like 10 times, truly amazing. The moment he said “got it” you could literally hear his control break, he went off on the Captain (as he should) and let him know his destiny. Also, it looked so haunting when they where taking the ship to the port of Genoa, felt like a funeral procession.
I have been on at least 12 cruises since the early 1990s.. celebrity.. princess. Disney. But my favorite is Norwegian Cruise lines.. I have seen how well the employees have been trained. And all the safety features aboard Norwegian Cruise line ships… Their staff crew members and officers in Captain are fantastic.. I feel completely safe on the NCL Cruise. Approximately 3 years after I was cruising on the Norwegian Dawn.. the Norwegian Dawn was hit in the Caribbean by 70-ft rogue wave!! The captain of the Norwegian Dawn was fantastic and cut the wave perfectly.. from what I read there was some blown out cabin windows and flooded cabins but no serious injuries.. those Norwegian captains really know what they’re doing.. that 70 ft road wave was higher than the ship and could have easily capsized that cruise ship if it were not for the experience and professionalism of the captain
Wow, this was a very well made article, I was very young when this happened, so I don’t even remember it. The article as a whole was very informative, and I was very impressed with the quality of production. Better than some feature length documentaries I have seen. Earned a subscription today, looking forward to more quality content like this from the website. Thank you!
Of the 32 people who died, 12 died inside an elevator. So let that sink in. You’re on an elevator on a cruise ship. The power goes out shortly after you hop on and press a button. Eventually the elevator starts leaning, then water starts to seep in. What a nightmare. Rest In Peace my fellow humans; I know it was scary beyond words.
I just been on Costa Serena in Thailand to Cambodia (16th May 2023 to 19th May 2023) and I must say the similarities to Concordia and Serena are surreal to imagine what it was really like during this horrific disaster. I remember the sinking of Concordia very well in 2012 and it made me think about my trip a few days before embarking on my own journey in the Gulf of Thailand. However, with all safety measures set aside and regardless of the past, they seem to have proven with my experience that they have put safety first. It is an amazing ship and one should experience.
The amazing thing is how we simply stood in line waiting for boats. Water was knee deep. I turned to a French couple behind me and said why don’t we just go out the window and swim to shore. We did. We simply stepped in the water. Residents took us in, taking us to their homes. The thing that got us was how long they waited to abandon ship, the crew literally abandoned us not just the captain. 2 crew members did stay behind and tried their best to help us. I have never been on a cruise since. It was my wife’s first cruise. It was the French couples 2nd cruise. Many thanks to the citizens of that island who literally opened their homes to us. After the Coast Guard finally got there, they did a good job as well. I disagree with the criticism of their efforts. The captain got what he deserved.
The people in elevators were trapped when the power went off, and none of the staff did anything, they were in there for 5 hours from when the power went off, then emergency battery light ran out after 2 hours, so for the last 3 hours they were in the dark trying to somehow smash there way out only for water to flood in and drown them all. Meanwhile the captain was on land having a sherry.
My friends’ family was on the boat and they told me the story over 20 times and I still cant wrap my head around how scary that must’ve been.. they realised something was happening even before they officially alarmed travelers because sos codes were aired to crew even before and everyone all of the crew was frenzy
I remember that day. My uncle and aunt worked there, my aunt was a bartender while my uncle worked in the kitchens and occasionally a server. My aunt was on the other line, crying while looking for my uncle. While talking to my sobbing mom, she asked her fellow crewmates that she’d pass by if they know where my uncle was. “Have you seen Eric? Do you know where he is?” My mom was crying too because she thought she’d never meet her brother again. Thank God he’s safe, after rescuing others and giving civilians life jackets.
I still don’t understand how stories of the Wilhelm Gustloff are not as well-known as this tragedy and the Titanic. Any loss of life is absolutely horrific, but the lack of knowledge on some history is its own tragedy. The Wilhelm Gustloff was a German ocean liner torpedoed by a Soviet submarine Jan 30, 1945. It is the greatest maritime disaster in history with 9,000 deaths, 5,000 of whom were children. Whether it is 32 lives lost, or 9,000, it’s important that the world remember.
Get this: In 2015, Captain Schettino published a book, Le Verità Sommerse, in which he characterized himself as a hero. The book was controversially dedicated to the victims of the catastrophe. Many in the media criticized the book, especially how Schettino was attempting to profit from the disaster, and to paint himself in a better light.(11
He said that 2 of the people were stuck in the elevators that means that when the main power went out the emergency power didn’t turn the elevators back on which means that while everyone else was evacuated, they were stuck alone as they saw the water get higher and closer to them. A truely horrific death
I remember when this happened and being in Jan 2012 almost to the month 100 years since the titanic sank. Lots of documentaries were being re run about the titanic and news stories about it. All of a sudden in the january of the 100th year post titanic sinking this happened. Was a great time for news outlets who ran with it being 100 years marked by another kind of cruise line sinking.
I love cruise ships and cruising. For those scared of going on a cruise for dangers and disasters, you will almost never worry about that happening. Your mind will be strung up in all of the fun you are having (atleast if it’s a Carnival cruise). That being said, be extremely weary, even if it’s just windy. At the time I am typing this comment I am on the the drive home from being on the Carnival Glory.
You mentioned how you think this is one of the most tragic shipwrecks, just coming in below the titanic. I think the sewol ferry tragedy should be there. 304 people died. 250 of them being high school students on a field trip. and aprox 172 people survived. government didnt respond fast enough and most crew + captain abandoned ship whilst telling the passengers to stay put in their rooms. just hearing stories and rewatching news reports shows how tragic it was. coastguard didnt do shit.
My grandpa was a Captain in the US Navy Sea Command. He participated in the rescue of two other ships at sea that were struggling and then lost. The last men off each ship was the captain and his first mate. In one of them the captain and his crew were almost lost because they went back to try and recover the bodies of their dead shipmates. He was ready to go down with his ship before he left any of his men behind. The captain of this cruise ship is a disgrace.
So I grew up without my mom as she’d been working for the first 12 years of my life at Costa. She finally came home and called it quits after those 12 years. A week later, this happened where she’s been working. We’re thankful obviously, but it was profoundly odd with the timing – she recalled that she was saved from the incident and would have been one of those 32 people as she had asthma and would not be able to survive the cold water.
one time it started hailing when i was on a cruise and nothing happened and no one got hurt but i remember being terrified bc i was only 10. i don’t really remember much except for standing on the decks of the ship. i’m going on another cruise in abt a week but rip to everyone who lost their lives whether it was the titanic or another cruise
It didnt sink, it capsized and ran aground. And thats actually lucky given the chaotic and disorganized response by the crew in getting the pax off; had it actually sunk, the death toll would have been huge, possibly surpassing that of Titanic. As it was, having an island right there meant lots of people didnt drown. Kind of like when the Andrea Doria capsized, having the Stockholm right there (followed by the Ile de France) meant there was someplace for the displaced to go to.
I’d never heard of this until I saw a meme about it, so I looked it up. Not surprised at all that it is yet another tragedy caused by human error and/or incompetence. Listening to that audio between the captain and the coast guard was unbelievable. That captain has zero balls. A true coward running away while there are still passengers on board. The coast guard guy was a chad though.
“Everything is fine, it’s just a blackout that is totally unrelated to the massive hole that has been torn in the side of the ship.” They withheld the fact that the ship was taking on water…that in itself deserves some kind of punishment. They even had the nerve to tell people to go back to their cabins…which for many people are below deck, closer to the flooding.