EVENTS AT SEA 2002
"All the Things that Can Go Wrong On A Cruise"


January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002


The table below lists "events at sea" occurring after January 1, 2002, including cruise ship accidents.  It is based on media reports, passenger reports posted at on-line boards and discussion groups, and reports sent to Cruise Junkie. In reviewing the information, please keep in mind that some cruise lines are given less scrutiny by the media than others, and it is not uncommon for events to not appear in the media.  This information reflects only that which has made it into the public domain. 

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Date
Ship
Cruise Line
Event
Known Compensation 
Type of Incident
January 9-18
Pacific Sky
P&O Cruises Australia
Two passengers admitted to hospital with the meningococcal virus several days after cruise -- one man (21 years old) dies.  P&O Princess stressed that the infection was not related to the ship but to individual contact.

Illness / Death
January ??
Wind Surf
Windstar Cruises
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown

Illness
January 25
Europa
Hapag-LLoyd
Departure from Cape Town delayed 26 hours because of gale force winds.  Finally sailed, but as the ship passed through the entrance of Victoria Basin, her stern was blown against the East Pier. Ship reberthed, inspected, and eventually sail for Port Elizabeth where a full inspection will be done.
Delay
January 28
Walrus
(Asia market)
Collides  with the Chinese cargo ship Wangtong 87, setting fire to the latter's wheelhouse.  The captain of the cargo ship remained missing.  The Walrus undamaged and returned to service.  Foggy conditions.

Collision
February ??
Albatross
Phoenix Reisen Cruises
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown


Illness
February ??
Seabourn Pride
Seabourn Cruise Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown


Illness
February 13
The World
Residensea
Announced that after several delays, The World will be delivered February 20, but will not set sail until mid-March.  Christening ceremony in New York City rescheduled from April 19 to May 17.

Late
delivery

February 23 Caronia
Cunard Line
Detained and fined by Brazilian authorities after nearly 8000 gallons of heavy fuel oil spilled into Guanabara Bay near Rio de Janeiro.  Departure delayed one day and ship fined $410,000. Environ-
mental

March ??
Carnival Pride
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown (Norwalk-like virus)

Illness
March ??
Nantucket Clipper
Clipper Cruise Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown (Norwalk-like virus)

Illness
March 4 Black Prince
Fred Olsen Cruises
Ran aground on a sand bank while leaving Casilda, Cuba.  After several unsuccessful attempts to free ship, passengers evacuated and bused to Havana for flights home. Grounded
March 5 Norway
Norwegian Cruise Line
Stewardess accidentally fell overboard and rescued after ten hours in the water.  Port call at St. Maarten canceled. Person overboard
March 12 Oriana
P&O Cruises
While crossing the North Pacific an auxiliary engine failed, causing the other three engines to stop.  Ship drifted for two hours and proceeded at reduced speed after it was restored.  Arrived in San Francisco two days later only slightly later than scheduled. Engine failure
March 13
Mistral &
European Stars
Festival Cruises
Announced that the Mistral will be pulled from Cuba a month early (four cruises canceled).  It will be substituted for the European Stars' originally planned inaugural (first two or three) voyages.  
Late delivery / Cancellation
March 13
Fantasy
Carnival Cruise Line
A Picasso etching ("Petite Infante Accroupie et Courtisan") valued at $12,000 was cut from its frame in the early hours of the morning.  It was displayed in front of the casino.

Robbery
March 14 Jubilee
Carnival Cruise Line
Sailing  canceled due to mechanical difficulties. Cancellation
March 14 Disney Magic Smoke stack fire; extinguished within an hour.  Passengers were awakened at 5:00 AM and told to go to their assembly stations with their life jackets.  Arrives at next destination 1.5 hours late. Onboard credit of $100 per cabin  Fire
March 24-April 5
Caronia
Cunard Line
225 passengers (and at least 15 crew) reported symptoms of gastroenteritis.  An investigation determined the cause to be e coli from water bunkered at Guatemala.  It was ingested with water and ice cubes made from the water.  See CDC for more information.

Illness
March 26
Clipper Adventurer
Clipper Cruise Line
While on an eco-tour of Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana, and Guyana, the ship ran aground on a sand-bank in the Essequibo River (Guyana's major waterway).  Stuck for more than a day.

Grounded
March 29 Summit
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise  canceled for unscheduled dry-dock to repair the ship's propulsion pods. Full refund plus 50% discount on a future cruise. Cancellation
April ??
Ryndam
Holland America Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown

Illness
April ??
Amsterdam
Holland America Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown

Illness
April 8 Summit
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise shortened from eleven nights to seven nights to accommodate unscheduled dry-dock. 50% refund Cancellation
April 10
Seven Seas Mariner
Radisson Seven Seas
Announced that the Seven Seas Mariner will enter an unscheduled dry dock for 24 days to undergo repairs to one of its two pod propulsion systems.  Cruises scheduled for April 22, April 26, and May 9 are .
Full refund plus options of rebooking at 50% discount or credits on future cruise worth $1000
Cancellation
April 13
April 20
Infinity
Celebrity Cruises
Cruises  canceled for unscheduled dry-dock to repair the ship's propulsion pods. Full refund plus 50% discount on a future cruise. Cancellation
April 15
Olympia Explorer
Royal Olympic Cruises
After considerable delays caused by a year-long dispute between the cruise line and shipbuilder, Royal Olympic Cruises announced that it will take possession of the ship in time for the start of her summer season (i.e., May 3).
 
Late delivery
April 28 Carnival Spirit

Cruise cut short due to air conditioning problems -- 12 day cruise shortened to 9 days. Full refund plus 50% off a future cruise. A/C problems
May 1
Terra Austalis
Cruceros Australis
Ship sank off southwest coast of Chile following a fire that began in the engine room and spread throughout the ship.  No pax aboard, but 1 crew member died of smoke inhalation. Environmental impact assessed for pollution risk from fuel and oil leakage.
 
Sunk
May 3 Carnival Spirit

Cruise  canceled for repairs. Full refund plus 50% off a future cruise. Cancellation
May 5 Constellation
Celebrity Cruises
A leak in the starboard propulsion pod delays ship's delivery and causes its first cruise to be canceled. Late delivery / Cancellation
Late May
Marco Polo
Orient Lines
Unscheduled dry dock to repair cracks in the no. 8 main bearing transverse girder of the port main engine.  Engine power reduced during winter cruises.  Out of service for 13 days -- cruises canceled

Cancellation
May 17 Princess of Scandinavia
DFDS Seaways
Cruise ferry with 758 pax and 126 crew has engine fire which spread to funnel.  Fire extinguished after several hours.  Plans for evacuation of ship .canceled Fire
May 19
Island Escape
Island Cruises
Ship flooded with sewage before start of cruise.  Passengers given choice of spending the week in Majorca or flying home with a full refund.
 
Cancellation
May 21
QE II
Cunard Line
A large sea water leak was discovered in the aft engine room, caused by the perforation (by corrosion) of a sea water inlet pipe.  The leak was stopped after several efforts (over 36 hours), but not before several hundred tones of sea water had to be pumped overboard so that workers could get at the leaking pipe in the engine room (which was submerged by water from the leak).  For additional details see the government's investigation report.

Flooding of Aft Engine Room
May 24 Carnival Destiny Technical malfunction caused ship to lose power for a couple of hours.  Port call at Aruba replaced by stop in St. Lucia. $50 shipboard credit Power failure
May 24 QE II
Cunard Line
Departure delayed from NYC because of a leak in a condenser.  Departs more than 13 hours late.  Arrival in England expected to be on schedule. Delayed departure
May 24 - June 1 Ocean Princess
Princess Cruises
Outbreak of gastrointestinal illness caused by Norwalk-like virus effects 40 passengers and 12 crew.  See CDC for more information. Illness
June 1 - June 8
Ocean Princess
Princess Cruises
Outbreak of gastrointestinal illness caused by Norwalk-like virus effects 88 passengers and 39 crew.  See CDC for more information.

Illness
June 3
Crown
Crown Investment (PRC)
Previously the Norwegian Star I (Royal Odyssey, Royal  Viking Sea), the ship was in Shanghai for inspection and refurnishing by the new leasor (Crown Investment, PRC) on a 3.5 year charter (delivered by Star Cruises on 25 May).  Upon inspection by the Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, swarms of cockroaches were found in the kitchen and other areas.  The China Daily reported that port officials "killed more than 10,000 cockroaches on the Bahamas-registered cruise ship. (Reported in Lloyd's List, June 13, 2002)

Infestation
June 9
Legend of the Seas & Infinity
Royal Caribbean International & Celebrity Cruises
It was reported by the Juneau Empire (June 12, 2002) that the Coast Guard is investigating a near miss by two ships (Legend of the Seas and Infinity) entering Juneau harbour.  The incident was reported by concerned residents shortly after it occurred at about 10AM.

Near Miss
June 24 Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line

Technical problem with propulsion system; stop in Playa del Carmen canceled and stop in Cozumel shortened. $100 shipboard credit
Several hundred passengers exercised Carnival's Vacation Guarantee and flew home from Cozumel.
Propulsion system
June 27 Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line

Cruise  canceled for repairs. Full refund plus 50% discount on future cruise of three to five days. Cancellation
June 27
QE II
Cunard Line
Two workers airlifted (from 250 miles southwest of Ireland) after they were blasted with scalding steam from a faulty boiler valve.
 
Workers injured
June 30 Inspiration
Carnival Cruise Line

Problem with propulsion system develops on final leg of cruise; reduced speed and late arrival (3 hours) in New Orleans. Those on Air/Sea had their flights rescheduled for late in the day. Propulsion system
July 8 Safari Quest
American Safari Cruises
Engine room fire -- left engine disabled, however continues on its own power. Fire
July 20
Adventure of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
A 31 year old graphic artist somehow boarded the ship in Phillipsburg and the next day died while the ship is docked in St. Thomas.  According to The St. Thomas Source, "it is not known how he eluded security to remain on board when the ship left port." According to the Toronto Star, based on the autopsy report, police believe that  when pepper spray failed to subdue him, "...the crew members tried to hold Persaud down, placing weight on his chest that suffocated him."

Port Security / Death
July 21
Norway
Norwegian Cruise Line
Wine steward arrested for raping a passenger.  Both the woman and her husband were under the effect of some type of drug.  (Reported in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 26, 2002)
 
Rape
July 22
Carnival Destiny
A 55-year old man found hanging in a shower stall -- an apparent suicide.  Not reported as to crew or pax. (Reported in St. Thomas Source, 7/22/2002)

Suicide
July 23
Radiance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
While sailing between Juneau and Skagway, two crew members began arguing (below deck);  one pulled a knife and began slashing the other.  The knife victim was medevaced for surgery and was in serious condition.  (Source: Juneau Empire, July 25, 2002)

Crew Fight
July 18 - 25
Ryndam
Holland America Line
Outbreak of gastrointestinal illness (167 pax and nine crew) from Norwalk-like virus reported when ship arrived in Vancouver.  See CDC for more information.
 
Illness
July 25 - August 1
Ryndam
Holland America Line
Outbreak of gastrointestinal illness (189 pax and 30 crew) from Norwalk-like virus reported by July 30th at 6 PM. The ship is taken out of service to be sanitized.   See CDC for more information.

Illness
July 27
Seven Seas Mariner
Radisson Seven Seas
Engine problems as the ship was leaving Stockholm caused a six hour delay.  The port call at Helsinki for the next day was cancelled and the ship sailed directly to St. Petersburg.
$250 credit on future cruise
Engine problems
July 28
Norway
Norwegian Cruise Line
U.S. Customs agents were waiting on pier as the Norway arrived at Miami with an arrest warrant for a  crew member on drug smuggling charges.  He fled, hiding onboard, and was eventually apprehended.  He had two kilos of heroin strapped to his body. Disembarkation delayed while drug dogs searched the ship.  The incident caused a four-hour delay in the ship's departure.  
Drug bust / Delayed departure
July 31
Clipper Odyssey
Clipper Cruise Line

Ship (with 106 pax and 78 crew) went aground on St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea in favourable conditions. After calling for help because attempts to free were futile, the crew shifted all aft water to the stern of the ship and deployed the ship's stern anchor to get back afloat.  No damage and no spills.

Grounded
August ??
Yorktown Clipper
Clipper Cruise Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown

Illness
August ??
Sundream
Sun Cruises
A 14 year old girl was lured to a crew member's cabin by the offer of an alcoholic drink and was raped by 3 crewmen (dining room waiters).  The mother reportedly was told that the cruise line was not responsible because the waiters were not acting in their capacity as waiters -- this happened in their own time.

Rape
August ??
Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Cruise Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown

Illness
August 1
Wilderness Explorer
Glacier Bay Cruiseline

Suspected case of  Norwalk-like virus (18 of 108 passengers and crew) on July 26 cruise causes following cruise to be canceled so the ship can be sanitized.  Ship returns to service August 8.
Full refund
Cancellation
August 1
Ryndam
Holland America Line

Cruise canceled because of two successive cruises with  gastrointestinal illness from Norwalk-like virus.   See CDC for more information.
Full refund plus a 25% future travel discount
Cancellation
August 4
Statendam
Holland America Line
Five tug boats called to tow the ship back to Vancouver after a small fire in the ship's generator rooms knocked out four generator and the ship's two main propulsion motors.  One  generator continued to operate, so there were lights but no A/C.  Incident happened when the ship was 24 miles from Vancouver, in Strait of Georgia (call for help came at 9 PM). Efforts to repair the problem took too long so the cruise was canceled. (The Canadian Coast Guard says there was a fire; HAL says that a breaker panel overheated and melted, tripping other generators and the propulsion system.)
Full refund plus 25% discount on future travel OR 150% credit for future travel OR continue trip with an air/land alternative.
Fire
August 4-8
Disney Wonder
Disney Cruise Line
A crew member came down with German measles (rubella) during this cruise.  Rubella can cause birth defects in pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester before many women are aware that they are pregnant.  Children under 15 months and people with suppressed immune systems are also at high risk.  Citing the potential cost, the cruise industry in 1998 essentially ignored CDC recommendations to administer rubella vaccine to all crew without documented immunity.  
More than 15,000 letters sent to people who sailed in the two weeks prior to August 4 and those planning to cruise the month after August 8.  
Illness
August 5
Norwegian Dream
Norwegian Cruise Line
It was reported by a passenger that as many as 100 people got food poisoning when they took the excursion to Moscow on the Scandinavian cruise that began on August 5th.  The ship provided free infirmary services.

Illness
August 11
Statendam
Holland America Line
Announced on August 7, that the August 11 cruise was canceled because repairs to the electrical generation system was taking longer than expected.
Full refund plus 25% discount on future travel OR 150% credit for future travel OR continue trip with an air/land alternative.
Cancellation
August 12
Ryndam
Holland America Line
A generator stopped running while the ship was in the Lynn Canal (Alaska) causing it to lose power -- it lost all propulsion and was adrift for about 20 minutes (at 1:30 AM -- the water was too deep for the ship to drop anchor).  Passengers awoke expecting to be in Glacier Bay but were instead at Auke Bay. Escorted by a tug, the ship docked to undergo a Coast Guard inspection. Cruise continued, but Glacier Bay replaced by Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier.

Onboard credit or future cruise credit; the value depended on the guests' cabin category.

Power failure & Lost Propulsion
August 13
Norwegian Majesty
Norwegian Cruise Line
Acting on intelligence reports, police raided the ship and seized 33 pounds of cocaine (valued at $4.5 million).  The ship was docked St. George's, Bermuda.

Drug bust
August 16
Mercury
Celebrity Cruises
Health Canada is investigating an outbreak of salmonella on two separate cruises (July 28, August 4).  30 cases were reported, though the outbreak likely affected more people who have not reported illness.  Salmonella is a bacteria that is transmitted through food or drink.

Illness
August 17
Ryndam
Holland America Line
Approximately 40,000 gallons (250 according to HAL) of sewage sludge discharged into Juneau harbour.  The incident was reported by harbourmaster staff.  The brown, thick substance is being tested  by Alaska's DEC for fecal coliform, pH, and biochemical demand levels.

Environmental
August 26
Radiance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
US Coast Guard reports that the ship experienced a three-minute power outage that disabled the ship's steering and propulsion capability while in Frederick Sound and preparing to transit the Gatineau Channel (en route to Juneau).  RCI denies that it was a power outage. They said a crew member accidentally turned off a hydraulic pump, causing a temporary loss of rudder control.  

Power failure & Lost Propulsion
August 29
Norwegian Dream
Norwegian Cruise Line
Reported on a cruise chat board that up to 15% of passengers on this Scandinavian Capitals cruise contracted a gastrointestinal illness.  Unconfirmed whether the source was Norwalk-like virus, but the ship provided free infirmary visits, passengers who were ill were restricted to their cabin, the were limited to no self service buffets, etc.

Illness
September 10 - 25
Norwegian Dream
Norwegian Cruise Line
169 passengers coming down with a gastrointestinal illness. The ship provided free infirmary visits, passengers who were ill were restricted to their cabin, the were limited to no self service buffets, etc.  Source of illness: Shigella and Giardia  

Illness
September 17
Radiance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
About 46 passengers (and seven crew) aboard a three day cruise from Vancouver to Seattle became violently ill with stomach and intestinal problems -- passengers onboard claimed many more got sick.  Some were outraged when the cruise line tried to bill them for medical expenses -- one passenger was billed $1073 for an IV drip.
Medical charges waived after passenger complaints
Illness
September 24
Pacific Sky
P&O Cruises Australia
A 42 year old woman was stupefied and sexually assaulted by fellow cruise passengers who considered throwing her body overboard after she died in their room, a Sydney inquest was told on March 8, 2006. Mother of three Dianne Brimble, 42, set out on the holiday of a lifetime aboard the P&O cruise ship Pacific Sky on September 23, 2002. The following morning she was found dead, apparently of an overdose of the date rape drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate, otherwise known as GBH or fantasy. Mrs Brimble's body was found in a cabin belonging to four men she had met at a disco on the ship the previous night.
Rape
--
Murder (?)
September 23
Grandeur of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
From a passenger re: the 14 night Panama Canal cruise from Ensenada , MX to New Orleans , LA (21 Sept - 2 Oct) .   After our stop in Cabo, we noticed the ship was running much slower than normal – perhaps in the 16-18 knot range versus the standard 22 knot range.  After going through a tropical depression (that was fun) on our way to Acapulco , the Captain said one of the engines had been malfunctioning ... we were told one engine had to be shut down and the liner had to run on the other engine.  He also said that RCI would be flying engineers from Miami in to Acapulco to meet the ship to fix the engine, and that we would have to stay a few days in Acapulco because they could not proceed through the Panama Canal with a ship that was not functioning at 100%.  The ship ended up late to most every port prior to the canal, and the engineers did stay aboard during the duration of the voyage. $100 onboard credit and 25% off next booking Engine problems
September 28 - October 5
Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Cruise Line
93 passengers reportedly came down with gastrointestinal illness (Norwalk-like virus)

Illness
October ??
Nantucket Clipper
Clipper Cruise Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown (Sappovirus)

Illness
October 9
Crystal Harmony
Crystal Cruises
Reported in March 2003 that contrary to a written promise to not discharge in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, the ship discharged 36,000 gallons of treated bilge, treated sewage, and grey water.  The company stated that it didn't report the discharge because it wasn't illegal -- it only represented that they didn't keep their promise.

Environmental
October 9
Olympic Voyager
Royal Olympic Cruises
Ship pulled for service for three weeks after it experienced minor damage in the portside hull below the waterline.  The damage was incurred when it reportedly attempted to avoid a 'foreign flag' vessel.  Passengers were transferred to the Aegean I for the remainder of their cruise.

Near-collision & Grounded
October 1 - 22
Amsterdam
Holland America Line
Outbreak of a gastro-intestinal virus on the October 1 repositioning cruise from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale. The company said that 196 passengers and about a dozen crew had contracted the Norwalk-like virus.

Illness
October
20
Brilliance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
A propulsion problem required shutdown of the complete propulsion system at sea while technicians worked to repair it and as a result the stop at Saint John, New Brunswick on October 20th was cancelled. Given that the problem could not be repaired at sea, the starboard system was restarted and the ship proceeded to Portland, Maine at reduced speed.  Two experts from Royal Caribbean in Miami and three from the manufacturer in Europe met the ship and began work to correct the problem. The stop at Portland was longer than planned, but the problem was fixed and the cruise ended in Boston on schedule.
Lost propulsion & Engine problems
October 27
Elation
Carnival Cruise Line
Cruise cancelled because of problems with the propulsion system that limited the ship's speed (Cabo San Lucas skipped on October 20th cruise).  Sent to dry dock in San Francisco and expected to return to service for next scheduled cruise.  
Full refund plus 50% off a future cruise.
Problems with propulsion system
October 22- November 1
Amsterdam
Holland America Line
41 passengers and 8 crew became ill from Norwalk-like virus during the cruise.  Some were offloaded at ports during the cruise.
Full refund plus 25% of a future cruise for those offloaded
Illness
November ??
Seabourn Pride
Seabourn Cruise Line
Gastrointestinal outbreak reported to CDC -- Details unknown

Illness
November 1 - 11
Amsterdam
Holland America Line

Upon arrival onboard, passengers were handed a printed notice that the ship had been contaminated with Norwalk virus during the previous cruise.  On this cruise, 163 passengers and 18 crew were confirmed sick from Norwalk-like virus; 52 passengers (25 who were ill) disembarked at Bonaire (8) and St. Thomas, USVI (44).
Full refund plus 25% of a future cruise, for those offloaded
Illness
November 2
Millennium
Celebrity Cruises
Two crew members (a plumber and an air conditioning technician) arrested for sexual assaulting and battering and female youth counselor.  In a lawsuit filed in December, the victim alleges that the company failed: to provide her with medical treatment and counseling, to preserve evidence from the crime scene, to perform adequate background checks on employees, and to respond to complaints of sexual harassment and assaults aboard its vessels.
Rape
November 8
Constellation
Celebrity Cruises
134 people on a cruise that arrived at Port
Everglades from Barcelona, Spain reportedly had gastrointestinal illness

Illness
November 13
Coral Princess
Princess Cruises
Announced that the inaugural sailing scheduled for December 14, 2002 is being cancelled because of delays in the delivery of the ship by the shipyard.
Full refund plus $500 per cabin credit on a future voyage
Cancellation
November 14
Amsterdam
Holland America Line

36 people (28 pax and 8 crew) were offloaded at Curacao (day 3 of the cruise)  because they exhibited the symptoms associated with Norwalk-like virus.  8 more passengers and 3 more cruise contracted the disease in the following 24 hours.  By the end of the cruise, 64 passengers and 18 crew had reportedly been sickened.
Full refund plus 25% of a future cruise, for those offloaded
Illness
November 15
Statendam
Holland America Line
Approximately 40 passengers came down with Norwalk-like virus in the most recent cruise; the ship was the subject of a super-cleaning before embarking new passengers. (Source:  KGTV (San Diego))

Illness
November 18
Monarch of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Approximately 100 passengers and crew were reported to have contracted Norwalk-like virus during the previous cruise.

Illness
November 20
Olivia
Ukrainian-
registered
With 650 passengers onboard, the ship was detained for a full day by the New Zealand Marine Safety Authority.  Safety inspectors found problems with an emergency pump and with equipment that separates oil from water in the ship's bilges.  A full audit will be undertaken when the ship arrives in Sydney, Australia.

Detained --
Problems with  environmental systems
November 21
Amsterdam
Holland America Line
Cruise cancelled for thorough cleaning of ship.
Full refund plus a future cruise savings certificate
Cancellation
November
22
Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line
As many as 275 passengers and crew were affected by Norwalk-like virus.

Illness
November 25
Statendam
Holland America Line
Reports that 9 passengers and 6 crew on the 10-day cruise to Mexico had "the flu like virus that is spread by contact."  (Source:  KGTV, KFMB-TV (San Diego))

Illness
November 26
Holiday
Carnival Cruise Line
The ship became lodged on a sandy bottom of the Caribbean Sea, a quarter mile off the coast of Playa del Carmen.  There were no injuries or damage.  The ship was freed on November 29th.  
Passengers debarked November 28 and flown home.
Grounded
November 28
Clipper Adventurer
Clipper Cruise Line
Ship ran aground in the vicinity of Deception Island (King George Island, Antarctica).  The ship was freed by a Chilean icebreaker.  There was minor damage but no pollution occurred and there were no injuries.

Grounded
November 30
Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line
Reported that at least 164 passengers and 23 crew members on the one-week cruise ending today had contracted a "flu-like illness" -- most likely Norwalk-like virus.

Illness
November
30

Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line

Cruise cancelled for thorough cleaning of ship
Full refund and 50% off a future cruise
Cancellation
November 30
Holiday
Carnival Cruise Line
This 4 day cruise was first changed to a 2 day cruise-to-nowhere that was to embark 30 November.  It was then cancelled because the ship remained grounded at Playa del Carmen on November 29th.  December 2nd cruise is expected to leave on schedule.
Full refund plus 50% off any Carnival cruise departing before December 14, 2002
Cancellation
December 1
Wind Song
Windstar Cruises
An engine room fire forced evacuation of the ship's 127 passengers and 92 crew.  The ship appears to be a total loss.

Fire
December & January
Wind Star
Wind Song
Windstar Cruises
Because the Wind Star will be redeployed on the Wind Song's itineraries beginning January 24, seven Tahiti itineraries will be cancelled.  All Wind Star cruises of Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Belize are cancelled from January 4, 2003 forward.
Full refund plus 10% off a future cruise OR
Rebook on another Windstar or Holland America cruise and receive a $250 onboard credit.
Cancellations / Redeployment
December 2
Fascination
Carnival Cruise Line
Approximately 190 passengers and 13 crew are reported to have contracted Norwalk-like virus on a weekend cruise

Illness
December 2
Seven Seas Mariner
Radisson Seven Seas
It was reported at the end of a ten day voyage from the Canary Islands to Fort Lauderdale that 5 passengers and 16 crew were sickened by salmonella (a food borne bacteria).

Illness
December 3
Black Watch
Fred Olsen Cruises
Mechanical problems with one of the engines and a propeller forced the ship to slow down, causing it to arrive at Southampton two days late.  The following cruise is delayed.

Engine problems
December 5
Fascination
Carnival Cruise Line
Reported that two dozen people on the current five day cruise had stomach flu symptoms consistent with Norwalk-like virus.

Illness
December 5
Black Watch
Fred Olsen
Mechanical trouble -- problem with one of the engines and a propeller -- and delayed 2 days in arrival into the port at Southampton.  The next cruise was delayed.

Engine problems
December 10
Coral Princess
Princess Cruises
Announced that the ship's inaugural voyage will be further delayed because the ship isn't ready yet.  The December 24 and January 3 sailings have now been cancelled.
Full refund plus $500 per cabin credit on a future voyage
Cancellation
December 10
Oceana
P&O Cruises
The ship was denied access to St. Maarten after it was reported that 269 passengers and 24 crew had contracted Norwalk-like virus.  The two week cruise began November 29 at Fort Lauderdale.  (Note: The ship received a score of 95 in its VSP inspection on the day the cruise began.)

Illness
December 13
Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line
Reported that 25 passengers contracted a gastrointestinal illness during the current cruise.

Illness
December 15
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Cruise Line
Reported that 224 passengers and 39 crew were sickened by Norwalk-like virus on this seven day Caribbean cruise ending in New Orleans.

Illness
December 15
Hanseatic
Hapag-Lloyd
While on a coastal cruise of New Zealand the ship was struck by a rogue wave which broke out one of the bridge windows and damaged electrical systems.  The ship was expected to remain in port until December 27.

Weather
December 22
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Cruise Line

Reported that 50 passengers and 30 crew were sickened by Norwalk-like virus on this seven day Caribbean cruise ending in New Orleans.

Illness
December 16 - 23
Brilliance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
There were 42 cases of gastrointestinal illness reported during this cruise, however the true count according to Flagship Cruises was in the hundreds.  "It would appear as though hundreds did not report their illness due to a rumor (via staff and crew) that if you reported your illness you would be confined and/or quarantined to your quarters."

Illness
December 27
Majesty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Reported that 71 passengers and 10 crew were sickened by Norwalk-like virus on this four day Caribbean cruise.  37 passengers who chose to disembark a day early were taken from Key West to Miami.

Illness
   

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