EVENTS AT SEA 2003
"All the Things that Can Go Wrong On A Cruise"


January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003


The table below lists "events at sea" occurring after January 1, 2005, 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
December 30
Olympia Voyager
Royal Olympia Cruises
The January 2, 2004 cruise to the Amazon and Southern Caribbean is cancelled because of ongoing negotiations under Chapter 11.

Cancellation
December 29
Volendam
Holland America Line
53 passengers and 11 crew came down with probable cases of norovirus during the previous week's cruise.

Illness
December 28
Pacific Sky
P&O Australia
Up to 200 passengers suffered nausea, vomiting and diarrhea which last up to 3 days -- most likely the result of norwalk-like virus.  The previous cruise was marked by a rowdy bunch of  high school graduates who, by passenger accounts, were drunk and disorderly, harassed and disregarded the staff, threw deck chairs overboard, called 'man overboard' the night before arriving in Sydney -- the captain stopped the ship, ordered a headcount and sent a boat down to the water, only to discover that it was a hoax.  This cruise had its departure delayed 3.5 hours.

Illness / Rowdiness
December 18 / 22
Olympia Voyager
Olympia Explorer
Royal Olympia Cruises
Olympia Explorer's cruise from LA on December 22 was cancelled after the cruise line filed for Chapter 11 protection in US courts.  The December 18 sailing of the Olympia Voyager anchored off St. Thomas rather than cruise to the Amazon.
Federal Maritime Commission will issue information
Cancellations
Late November
Coral Princess
Princess Cruises
A kitchen assistant (new employee) jumped overboard and committed suicide shortly after the ship left Cozumel.  According to an officer onboard:  he was a new guy, had only been on the ship a short time and he said he missed home a lot. People remembered him being very miserable and lonely. Our Captain was very sympathetic and held two memorial services for him so that many of the crew could attend.
Suicide
November 30
Carnival Legend
Carnival Cruise Line
73 passengers and 4 crew reportedly contracted norwalk-like virus during the previous cruise


Illness
November 29
Empress of the North
American West Steamboat

Ship went aground on the Oregon side of the Columbia River.  Two crew and on passenger suffered minor injuries.

Grounded
November 22
Carnival Legend
Carnival Cruise Line
About 100 passengers suffered symptoms of Norwalk-like virus aboard the cruise that ended today.  About 4.5 per cent of the ship's passengers became ill.

Illness
November 15
Queen Mary 2
Cunard Line
Fifteen people died on Saturday when a dockside gangway to the Queen Mary 2 collapsed at Saint-Nazaire in western France. As up to 50 visitors were walking onto the liner across a gangway, the structure collapsed under them, injuring about 32 people, 12 of them seriously

Accident
November 13
Veendam Holland America Line and Norwegian Wind Norwegian Cruise Line
Passenger report:  Both ships were docked at the Cozumel pier stern to stern with approximately 20-30' between the 2 ships.  A sudden brief storm with high wind and rain came in around 7-7:30 and pushed the Veendam into the Wind.  The Wind seemed to have more damage than the Veendam.  From what we could see, the Veendam had damage to a window cleaning walkway.  The Wind had a nice size dent 15' wide in the stern at Deck 7/8 towards the port side.  The floor on the deck was buckled where it meets the stern.  Also a section of pipe under deck 8 crimped.  Possibly related to the accident and to the crimped pipe, a sprinkler line burst in the aft stairwell around the same time.  Departure from Cozumel was delayed by only 15 minutes and as far as we know, there were no injuries.

Bump
November 13
Opera
Silja Line
The Silja Opera, a cruise ship sailing under a Swedish flag, collided with a Yermak icebreaker stationed at the exit of a St. Petersburg port on Wednesday.  The Silja Opera's lifeboats were damaged but the ship remained capable of traveling.

Collision
November 2
Royal Princess
Princess Cruises
A passenger report indicates that the ship collided with the pier when it was docking, causing an 8 foot rent in the bow of the vessel and delaying its departure until repairs were completed.  Mykonos was skipped as a result; Rhodes was missed earlier in the cruise because of  sea conditions.
$100 shipboard credit plus $100 off a future cruise
Collision and delay
November 1
Sapphire Princess
Princess Cruises
Announced that the ship's maiden voyage will be delayed from May 16 to June 13.  Sapphire's hull was damaged by a shipyard fire when it was originally destined to be the Diamond Princess -- This delay is the continued after effect of the original delay.

Delay
October 22 - November 1
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises
A passenger reported that during this 10 day cruise they were told that 1 of the 4 engines were not working. Consequently, they left ports of call early and arrived late. They also did not stop at Princess Cay as planned.
Onboard credit of $65 (presumably for not stopping at Princess Cay)
Engine problems
October 31
Aurora
P&O Cruises

Around 580 passengers and 28 crew infected with Norwalk-like virus on this cruise that begin in Southampton on October 20.  The ship was refused permission to dock in Greece.  It stopped in Gibraltar November 3rd.  Cruise ended in Southampton November 6.

Illness
October 24
Empress of the North
American West Steamboat
The paddle wheel ship was headed upriver to Clarkson when it hit the gate at Ice Harbor Dam and became stuck in the navigational lock.  200 Passengers bussed back to Portland.

Grounded
October 17
Westerdam
Holland America Line
Fire broke out on the ship while it was under construction at Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera, Italy.  The fir broke out on the aft section at about 7:30 AM and was extinguished by 11 AM.  The ship's delivery on April 15, 2004 does not appear to be affected.

Fire
October 16
Kempiniski Ganna
A 2002-built Nile cruise ship suffered a fire as it sailed from Luxor to Aswan with 144 passengers.  The captain ordered the ship abandoned.  One passenger remained unaccounted for, 2 were taken to hospital and discharged, and nine treated for injuries.  The fire is thought to have broken out in a passenger cabin.

Fire
October 16
Holiday
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that affected at least 5% of passengers on the 5-day sailing from New Orleans ending October 16.  A total of 97 passengers and 53 crew experienced symptoms consistent with Norwalk-like virus.

Illness
October 5
Sundream
Sun Cruises
As the ship was being guided into the dock at La Gomera, it collided with the pier.  It required repairs at Tenerife and returned early to Southampton.  The following cruise was also shortened (to accommodate time needed for repairs).
100 Pounds per passenger
Collision
September 25
Oceana
P&O Cruises
95 passengers were struck by a minor gastro-intestinal illness during the voyage.  The source is unknown.

Illness
September 25
Oceana
P&O Cruises
Nine passengers' hair turned green after using the onboard swimming pool.  The cause is not known, but as a "gesture of goodwill, the passengers were referred to the ship's beauty salon for corrective treatment.


September 25
Norwegian Crown
Norwegian Cruise Line
Sustained damage to the port side propeller when it came into contact with a fishing net while sailing from Quebec City to Boston.  The ship will be delayed one day.

Collision
September 23
Melody
Mediterranean Shipping Company
Ship ran into the pier at Kusadasi harbour.  Ship had to wait several days for repairs to be completed.

Collision
September 19
Opera
Silja Line

Collided with several ships and a crane at St. Petersberg. Damage not sufficient to delay itinerary.

Collision
September 17
M/V Astoria
This German ship was detained by London's port authority after a routine inspection revealed that it's galleys were infested with cockroaches.  The ship's passengers are believed to have disembarked in London, and the ship returned (unauthorized to leave) to Bremerhaven.

Infestation
September 8
Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line
Because of continuing propulsion problems, the itinerary on this 5 day cruise has been changed to make only one port call in Mexico rather than two.  
$400 per stateroom onboard credit plus 50% off a future cruise
Engine problems
September 4
Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line
Because of a malfunction in one of the two propulsion systems, the ship will arrive in Galveston 12 hours later than scheduled.  The following 4-day cruise will depart a day late and instead of the planned 4-day cruise to Cozumel will be a 3-day trip without any stops.
Guests on modified cruise received $300 per cabin onboard credit and 50% off a future cruise.
Engine problems
September 2
Zaandam
Holland America Line
According to passengers, there was an outbreak of gastro-intestinal disease on the cruise ending August 30; they were notified the third night of the cruise by a letter delivered to each cabin that Norwalk was on the ship and instructing them to take proper precautions.  40 passengers were off-loaded in Ketchikan and an estimated 60 others at  two other ports.  Among those disembarked at Ketchikan were two octogenarians (because one reported an ongoing health condition that included gastrointestinal sensitivities for which he took medication). Despite promises onboard, the 82 and 95 year olds were not given necessary assistance by HAL once they left the ship (including having to carry their own luggage up stairs). They are awaiting reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses that they were told were arranged to be paid in advance.
Per diem reimbursement plus a certificate, worth 25% of the per diem reimbursement, which could be used toward a future cruise
Illness
August 28
Regal Princess
Princess Cruises
There was an outbreak of Norwalk-like virus on the ship on Aug 19th, the day after it left Copenhagen.  A total of 301 passengers and 45 crew were reportedly ill during the planned 16 day cruise.  The cruise ended two days early in NYC (Sept 2) after missing planned stops in Greenland and Newfoundland.  While the cruise line suggests that a passenger brought the virus with them when they boarded in Copenhagen, a passenger on the previous cruise reports that there had been "...several days of overflowing toilets in the public restrooms, as well as in the passengers cabins occurred. Carpets were changed, plastic over carpet in several areas seemed the norm. Several crew members fell ill including our assistant waiter who was quarantined for days."  There were purportedly plumbing problems on several earlier cruises as well.  A report from onboard indicates that as of September 7th, there have been no illnesses and all of the crew is back on duty.
$300 US shipboard credit, plus refund of 1/16 of the cruise price, plus a refund of a portion of the government taxes and port fees as shipboard credit.
-------
Passengers with Princess Air/Sea had their return flight changes handled by Princess Cruises; independent  pax were left to make their own arrangements.
Illness
August 27
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises
A 61 year old man is indicted on six felony counts of sexual abuse on a minor.  It is alleged that he forced sexual relations on a 15 year old boy while the boy was in the sauna and the cruise ship was near Juneau.

Sexual Assault
(Pax on Pax)
August 26
Ocean Monarch
Majestic International Cruises
A German passenger died, and four others are infected with Legionnaires' disease following return to Germany from a cruise to Greenland.The cause of the infection is not known, a spokesperson for the cruise operator said.

Illness
August 18 - 25
Volendam
Holland America Line
According to a physician (passenger) onboard, there was an outbreak of norwalk-like virus that affected at least 50 (and as many as 75 or 100).  There was no public acknowledgement by the cruise line during the cruise, but on the 3rd day all self-serve options were discontinued and the chips witched to its "infectious disease" protocol.
Passengers were quarantined to cabins.

Illness
August 16
Amsterdam
Holland America Line
According to Alaska state's epidemiology lab, about 25 passengers have been afflicted with a gastrointestinal virus.  Cruise line officials wouldn't say how many passengers were ill.  They did say that an undisclosed number of passengers were removed from the ship in Sitka and Juneau and flown home at the cruise line's expense.

Illness
August 9
Vision of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Because of difficulties with the diesel electric propulsion motors, the ship left port (Ketchikan) 17 hours late (8 AM on Saturday instead of 3 PM on Friday).

Engine problems
August 9
Star Princess
Princess Cruises
107 passengers and 14 crew members were afflicted by Norwalk-like virus on cruise between Seattle and Alaska. Departure of next cruise delayed several hours for disinfecting of the ship.  

Illness
August 8
MTS Atlantis
(Greece)
A crewman was killed and 19 others admitted to hospital when a fire extinguisher exploded while ship anchored at the island of Santorini. None of the 1,063 tourists and other passengers on a day trip from Crete were on board when the incident occurred.  

Crew member killed
August 6
Mirage
Ocean Club Cruise Line
A 31 year old steward was arrested for allegedly having consensual sex with a 15 year old female passenger. He was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor under 16 years of age.

Sexual Assault
August 1
Brilliance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International

While cruising between Corfu and Civitivecchia, the ship was hit by a storm -- the ship twice listed hard to the port side .. approximately 13.6 degrees.  One passenger was injured; most were "awake" and not able to return to sleep.  After daybreak the ship had a power blackout that lasted several hours.   


Severe List
--
Power Loss
July 29
Conquest
Carnival Cruise Line
A 25 year old man was charged with raping a 16 year old female fellow passenger the night before the ship docked at New Orleans on Sunday,  July 27.

Sexual Assault
(Pax on Pax)
July 28
Summit
Celebrity Cruises
Charges filed against a 33 year old male accused of inappropriately touching a passenger during a massage. Source: Alaska State Troopers Press Release, Aug 7

Sexual Assault
July 26
Mona Lisa
Holiday Kreuzfahrten
670 passengers were evacuated  after the ship ran on to rocks near Sptisbergen in the Barents Sea (close to the Arctic Circle).  Both propellers and the hull are thought to be damaged.  Cruise scheduled for August 2 has ben cancelled.

Grounded
July 26
Rhapsody of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
First reported that 63 passengers became ill with what appears to be Norwalk-like virus.  The number was revised to 72 by RCI, but passengers claim the numbers are much higher because people didn't report being ill given the quarantine policy.
Sick guests were asked to stay in their cabins for 72 hours, and their cabin mates 24 hours. Those passengers will have the costs of future voyages prorated for time spent quarantined.
Illness
July 18
Vision of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
A 28-year-old male passenger was arrested in Skagway, accused of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old female passenger when the ship was 15 miles out of Glacier Bay.

Sexual Assault
(Pax on Pax)
July 16
Millennium
Celebrity Cruises
The July 22 cruise (11 days from Barcelona to Venice) is being cancelled so the ship can enter dry dock and have replaced a thrust-bearing unit in the ship's port propulsion system,
Full refund plus a free cruise
Cancellation
July 11
Summit
Celebrity Cruises
Delayed departure (two days) to allow time for repairs after the ship was holed during the previous cruise.
$300 onboard credit
Delay
July 9
Summit
Celebrity Cruises
The hull was damaged when the vessel, under the control of a marine pilot who called out instructions as a crew member steered, hit a rock leaving Hubbard Glacier. The result was a 10-foot-long hole in the ballast tank midway along the hull, and a 140-foot-long crease.  The ship docked safely at Seward on Friday (July 11).

Holed
June 18
Hebridean Princess
Hebridean Island Cruises

Cruise was cancelled when half of the ship's 38 crew were struck down with severe tonsillitis.
According to the ship's owners, all passengers were offered appropriate compensation.
Illness - Cancellation
June 12
Spirit of Columbia
Cruise West

The master reported that his vessel had went "touch and go" (hit bottom) and possibly bent the port shaft and propeller in Jackpot Bay (Prince William Sound), approximately 75 miles south of Whittier. All passengers were safely off-loaded in Whittier and the ship was inspected.

Grounded
June 7
Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
The 41 year old Food and Beverage Manager is arrested at Seward, Alaska and charged with sexually assaulting a 22 year old female crew member on June 5th.  

Sexual Assault
May 27
Norwegian Sky
Norwegian Cruise Line
About 90 passengers and 20 crew members returning on a cruise on Saturday (May 24) reportedly contracted Norwalk-like virus. This was the second week in a row with an outbreak.

Illness
May 25
Norway
Norwegian Cruise Line

Initially next 3 cruises cancelled because of boiler explosion.  By early-June, cruises through September had been cancelled.  Subsequently announced that all cruises were cancelled indefinitely.  
Full refund and 100/50/25% future cruise credit depending on sailing date.
Cancellation
May 25
Norway
Norwegian Cruise Line

A boiler room explosion killed eight crew members and injured a dozen others.  No passengers were injured.  The ship had arrived at the Port of Miami around 5 a.m. The fire began at 6:30; it was caused by a steam leak.

Boiler
Explosion

May 19
Norwegian Sky
Norwegian Cruise Line
About 55 passengers and 5 crew members returning on a cruise on Saturday (May 17) reportedly contracted Norwalk-like virus.


Illness
May 18
Veendam
Holland America Line
A 51-year old man was missing from the ship when it disembarked passengers in Vancouver.  Given that he could not be found onboard, and the computer system indicates that he didn't leave the ship, the assumption is that the man fell overboard.

Passenger overboard
May 16
RCCL
Miami Herald reported on May 17 that a suit had been filed charging that RCI and Celebrity Cruises charged at least $150 million in fraudulent taxes to passengers that the companies pocketed as additional fare revenue.  A settlement reached in 1997 in a similar case barred RCI and Celebrity from charging customers "any fees in addition to the advertised initial ticket price, except those fees actually passed on by the company to a government agency." (See "Cruise lines accused of fraud," Jay Weaver and Dale K. Dupont, Miami Herald, May 17, 2003)

Port taxes
May 15
Vistamar
Plantours & Partners

Ship collided with underwater rocks near the port of Ibiza.  It was towed by emergency tugs to Ibiza and all passengers and crew evacuated.  This cruise, planned to end on May 27, was cancelled as were two additional cruises.  The ship resumed operations in mid-July.

Collision with rocks
May 11
Conquest
Carnival Cruise Line
A 35 year old man fell from a 10th floor balcony between midnight and 1 AM.  Initial searches for him were unsuccessful, but the body was found the morning of May 14th.

Passenger overboard
May 9
Safari Spirit
American Safari Cruises

Ship hit some rocks about 80 miles north of the northern tip of Vancouver while sailing from Seattle to Alaska.  All aboard were safely evacuated to lifeboats.  The ship sank in about 30 feet of water.

Grounded / Sunk
May 6
Holiday
Carnival Cruise Line
 The ship left port almost 24 hours late after security breaches: an off-duty policeman reported he had a gun in his luggage (which hadn't been noticed by security), four bullets were found in the ship's passageway, and another passenger had left ammunition in his bag.  The Coast Guard ordered the ship to remain at the pier while passengers, crew, and baggage were rechecked.  The ship, scheduled to leave Monday finally departed Tuesday at 4:00 PM.

Security Breach and Delay
May 3
Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Cruise Line
The ship is being investigated by the State of Washington for an illegal discharge of 16,000 gallons (40 tons) of raw sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca (just off Whidby Island, a popular vacation resort).  The strait is known to be habitat for Orca whales.

Environmental
April 28
Norwegian Dream
Norwegian Cruise Line

Passengers notified at embarkation that cruise itinerary will not include St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Talinn as planned. Due to ice in the Gulf of Finland (a fact that is disputed) the ship instead would stop at Amsterdam, Germany, and Norway. Passengers say they should have been notified earlier about the change given that the decision to change the itinerary was made before most passengers had left home.  Close to 1000 passengers (60%) have signed a petition demanding appropriate compensation for in effect doing the same thing as substituting a cruise to Mexico for a cruise to Alaska.
An onboard credit of $100 (inside cabins), $150 (outside cabins) or $200 (suites) for up to two people in each cabin.  Third and fourth person in a  cabin received nothing.
Itinerary Change
April 28
Regal Empress
Regal Cruises

Regal Cruises ceases operations.  Passengers must seek refunds through the Federal Maritime Commission.

Bankruptcy
April 23
Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
A 20 year old passenger was arrested and accused of planting two threatening notes on the ship (leading to an FBI search for chemical, biological, radiological and explosive weapons) in hopes that the cruise would end early (so she go home to her boyfriend).  The ship missed its stop at Hilo and had its stop at Kona cut short because it had been diverted to Honolulu after the threatening notes were found.  Some passengers felt the cruise line was not as forthcoming about what was going on during the crisis -- one man said he didn't know that someone had been apprehended until he arrived at the airport at the end of the cruise.
No compensation.  
Missed ports
April 19
Regal Empress
Regal Cruises

A three night (April 18) and ten night (April 21) cruise are cancelled when the ship is served with an arrest warrant by US Marshals over $750,000 in unpaid invoices to a supplier of engine services.

Cancelled cruise
April 18
Pride of Provence
P&O Ferries

Ship hit a breakwater at Dover, England while visibility was good and sea conditions were fine. Her Master has been suspended from duty as an investigation continues. Twenty-eight people suffered minor injuries in the accident which left an indentation from deck 5 to the ship's double-hull bottom
Full refund or free cruise
Delivery delay
April 18
Sovereign of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
A 30 year old cruise ship worker is charged with committing sex acts on a 14-year-old girl.  The victim was apparently on a high school band trip and told chaperones she had sex with the man on the last night of the cruise.

Sexual assault of child
April 14
Costa Fortuna
Costa Cruises
A fire broke out while the Costa Fortuna was being fitted out at Fincantieri's Sestri Cantiere Navale in Genoa.  The fire took about three and an half hours to be extinguished. Deck 8, fitted with cabins, was heavily damaged for 'more than half of its length, from aft to bow.'  Damage was also reported on decks 7 and 9. However, Fincantieri confirmed that the ship will be delivered on schedule this November.

Fire
April 12/13
Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line
A 31 year old man accidentally fell overboard in the Gulf of Mexico (8 hours after leaving Galveston) and was rescued 17 hours later by a passing cargo vessel.  

Passenger overboard
April
Carnival Legend
Carnival Cruise Line
15 year old girl raped by other passenger.  Details here.

Rape
April 14
Island Adventure
SeaEscape

A fire in a storage area on a lower deck of the ship forced evacuation of crew from the ship.  There were no passengers onboard.  Minor damage.



March 29 - April 5
Viking Burgundy
Viking River Cruises
Reported by a passenger that approximately 90 of the 150 passengers (and a number of crew)  became ill during the cruise, with gastro-intestinal symptoms like Norwalk-like virus.  There was no confirmation of the cause.

Illness
March 23
Pacific Sky
P&O Cruises

Repairs are taking longer than expected so the March 23 cruise is cancelled.  It was announced March 31 that the ship should be ready to sail on April 2.
Full refund plus 25% discount on a future cruise on the Pacific Sky
Cancellation
March 15
Pacific Sky
P&O Cruises

The ship had to turn back to Auckland on an 11 day cruise to Fiji that began March 12.  The ship took on 17 tonnes of water after it sprang a leak through cracked and corroded plating on the side of the 19-year-old ship.  Cracks in the same area had reportedly been repaired prior to the ship's departure from Auckland.  Cruise cancelled.  Associated Press reported that the ship has been impounded because safety inspectors found serious rust in its hull.  P&O is confident that the ship will be repaired in time for its March 23 departure.
Full refund plus 25% discount on a future cruise
Cracks in hull/ Cancellation
March 13
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Cruise Line

An injured crewman was airlifted to Oahu after falling from a tender and injuring his legs on the propeller when the ship was visiting the Fanning Islands (Republic of Kiribati).  The ship was diverted to Christmas Island.  Subsequent ports of call cancelled because of diversion.
No compensation for missing ports
Crew injury / Itinerary change

March 13
Ryndam
Holland America Line
"The ship listed to the port side around 6:30 PM and caused injuries to passengers and crew.  Furniture went flying, dishes broke, glasses destroyed.  The pool emptied down the elevator shafts, and put elevators on the port side out of commission for four days.  They explained the incident as a mechanical failure from going from manual to automatic pilot."  -- Passenger account
Free drinks
Unexpected list
March 12
Caronia
Cunard Line

Three passengers arrested after British police seized 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of cocaine found in luggage.  The seizure in Southampton had a street value of US$1.8 million

Drug bust
March 11
Oosterdam
Holland America Line

The first two voyages originally planned have been cancelled because the ship's delivery will be delayed.  The maiden voyage will now depart August 3 (instead of July 10)
Cabin upgrades and shipboard credits for rebooking
Cancellation
March 9
Costa Tropicale
Costa Cruises

Six Argentinean passengers were arrested at Santos, Brazil, suspected of attempting to smuggle cocaine into Europe on this transatlantic cruise.  Fifty kilos of cocaine were found on board.

Drug smuggling
March 9
Costa Tropicale
Costa Cruises

Claimed by passengers (but disputed by company) that 30 people had suffered symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea caused by food poisoning while off the coast of Brazil.  One passenger died of a heart attack, but had suffered stomach complaints before his death; family members as asking for an autopsy

Illness
March 9
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Cruise Line
The US Coast Guard plans to board the CARNIVAL CONQUEST to investigate a sharp roll made by the ship that sent passengers running for life vests, and glass crashing to decks. Many passengers believe the ship tilted abruptly from one side to the other early on the morning to avoid colliding with another vessel. Seven passengers reported to a newspaper in New Orleans that they saw the lights of another vessel silhouetted in thick fog less than 200 yards from the CONQUEST. Carnival Cruise Lines blamed the sudden list on a strong gust of wind that broadsided the ship as it turned into the shipping channel bound for Gulfport, Miss.  (Source: Maritime Matters, March 16, 2003)
Near miss collision OR unexpected list
March 9
Costa Tropicale
Costa Cruises

50 kilograms (110 pounds) of cocaine reportedly found hidden in suitcases of passengers on the ship when it was docked in southern Brazil.

Drug bust
March 5
Crystal Harmony
Crystal Cruises

Reported 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 during its visit on October 9, 2002.  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
February 28
Monarch of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International

Crew member burned by hot water when a valve he was working on malfunctioned.  He was performing routine maintenance on a boiler in the engine room..  

Crew injury
February 27
Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International

A cleaning crew discovered a minor fire at the aft end of Deck 13.  The fire was extinguished 13 minutes later, causing damage to the inline skating facility and the top of the waterslide on Deck 12.  Those facilities will be closed for repair.  Go here for photos provided by a passenger.

Fire
February 19
Marco Polo
Orient Lines

After being pushed by wind on to shallow waters while in the South Shetland Islands, the hull of the ship was found to have three cracks (4, 3, and 1.7 meters long by 2 centimeters wide).  Eight millimeter thick plates were welded over the cracks at Ushuaia and the ship continued on its cruise.

Cracks in hull
February 19
Radiance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Ship struck by strong winds as it crossed a squall line and briefly went into a seven degree list (tilt).  No injuries.


Unexpected list (tilt)
February 18
Star Flyer
Star Clippers

Ship sustained minimal damage and a small section of the wharf collapsed at Port Klang, Malaysia after it collided with the wharf.

Collision with wharf
February 10 - 17
Sundream
Sun Cruises

Reported by a passenger that a significant number of passengers became ill with gastrointestinal disease during this cruise.  There is no report from UK authorities about the number affected, although there had been a Norwalk-like virus outbreak a couple of weeks earlier.

Illness
February 10
Carnival Victory
Carnival Cruise Line

Ship experienced a 5 degree tilt when a stabilizer malfunctioned.  No injuries.

Unexpected list (tilt)
February 7
Carnival Legend
Carnival Cruise Line

A 24 year old native of Indonesia was charged with sexual battery after a 28 year old woman identified him as the man who entered her cabin while she was sleeping around 5 AM on Thursday and raped her.  Police said he used a master key to unlawfully enter the room.  The perpetrator was detained and held by Carnival onboard security personnel until the ship reached Fort Lauderdale.

Rape
February 6
Norwegian Wind
Norwegian Cruise Line

A couple aboard the ship reported observing whole beer bottles, whole wine bottles, beer and pop cans, corks, plastic plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups and organic material all being tossed into the ocean from the back of the ship.  The ship was between Hawaii and Fanning Island. The company insists it did nothing illegal.  The incident is being investigated by the US Coast Guard and EPA.

Environmental
February 6
Regal Empress
Regal Cruises

Engine trouble forced the cancellation of a three day cruise scheduled for today.  The cruise expected to end today was experiencing trouble (attributed to contaminated fuel) and was expected back to Port Manatee one day late.
Full refund or free cruise
Engine problems / Cancellation
February 6
Island Princess
Princess Cruises
Announced that the ship's delivery will be delayed 2 months.  The maiden voyage, originally planned to be a Panama Canal transit on May 13, is now set for July 12 -- an Alaska sailing from Vancouver to Seward.
Full refund or free cruise
Delivery Delay / Cancellation
February 3
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Cruise Line
A technical problem in one of the two Azipod transformers has forced the ship to operate at a slower speed.  The current cruise will skip the stop at Fanning Island, but all Hawaiian islands scheduled will be visited.  It remains unstated how cabotage law requirements ($200 fine per passenger for not including a foreign port) will be handled.

Engine problems
February 2
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises

265 passengers and 29 crew came down with a gastrointestinal illness during the ship's voyage from Los Angeles to Hawaii (Jan. 25 - Feb. 1).  It is suspected to be Norwalk-like virus.  After new cases continued to appear, Princess decided to cut the cruise short (ending it on February 4th in Honolulu) and to fly passengers back to the mainland from Hawaii.  The ship will be sanitized on its five day voyage back to Los Angeles (arriving February 9th).
Refund of one-third of the cost of the cruise and $500 credits for a future cruise
Illness
January 30
Stena Europe
Stena Line

The Irish Coast Guard was called to assist when the ferry Stena Europe lost all power with 155 passengers and 65 crew aboard. The ship was adrift for three hours in winds of 35-45 knots.

Engine failure
January 27 - 30
Ecstasy
Carnival Cruise Line

An older disabled man reportedly jumped to his death from the top of the atrium into the lobby area of the ship. (Contributed by two readers of this page who were on that cruise.)

Suicide
January 29
Infinity
Celebrity Cruises
Cruises sailing February 2 and 13 and February 23 are cancelled in order to replace the thrust bearing unit of the port propulsion pod.  The ship is expected to re-enter service on March 3.  This is the third time since its delivery that the Infinity has required repairs to its mermaid podded propulsion until.
Full refund plus 50% off a future cruise of 12 nights or less.
Cancellation
January 29
Infinity
Celebrity Cruises
The transcanal cruise scheduled to end in San Diego on February 2 will end in Acapulco on January 30th instead.
25% refund plus 25% off a future cruise
Engine problems
January 28
Pacific Venus
Japan Cruise Line

It was announced that two passengers contracted Legionnaire's disease while on board the Pacific Venus.  The passengers were on a cruise to Taiwan from December 27 to January 6.  A cruise schedule for February 1-28 has been cancelled.

Illness
January 27 to February 4
Carnival Spirit
Carnival Cruise Line

102 passengers and 10 were ill with a gastrointestinal illness.  Clinical presentation of the illness is consistent with a norovirus outbreak. 

Illness
January 20 to February 3
Sundream
Sun Cruises

Vessel reported 95 passengers and 12 crew with gastrointestinal illness.  The vessel made one U.S. port of call in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on January 31, and then proceeded onto Venezuela.  A U.K. public health laboratory confirmed gastrointestinal illness from the ill passengers and crews’ stool samples.

Illness
January 26
Elation
Carnival Cruise Line
A 35 year old woman went missing following a fight with her husband.  She was noticed missing the next morning by her husband when he woke in the morning. 

?Suicide?
January 25
Wind Spirit
Windstar Cruises
Reported on "Cruise Critic" by a passenger that the ship experienced engine problems and generator problems that left it adrift for a night and part of a day.  The ship made it back to Torotola and underwent necessary repairs.

Engine and generator problems
January 15 to February 3
Olympia Voyager
Royal Olympia Cruises

Vessel reported 35 passengers and 5 crew reported ill with gastrointestinal illness.  The cruise began in Port Everglades Florida and concluded in Houston Texas.  Extensive cleaning and disinfection was initiated during the first week of the cruise as the initial cases were identified. No new cases were identified the second week.

Illness
January 14
Ecstasy
Carnival Cruise Line

The company reported an accidental discharge of 60 gallons of grey water while anchored at Avalon Bay (Catalina Island, California), approximately one-half mile from land.

Environmental
January ?
Regal Empress
Regal Cruises

Outbreak investigation by CDC -- source not identified nor are numbers of passengers affected publicly acknowledged

Illness
January ?
QE II
Cunard Line

Outbreak investigation by CDC for gastrointestinal disease caused by Norwalk-like virus -- number of passengers affected unknown

Illness
January 5
Statendam
Holland America Line

An elderly man was suspected to have jumped overboard the night before disembarkation at San Diego following a roundtrip cruise from San Diego to Hawaii.  According to a spokeswoman for Holland America Line, "'We're a 130 year old company and it happens very rarely, but it is not unheard of on a cruise ship' to lose a passenger."

Person overboard
January 5
Norway
Norwegian Cruise Line

Reported that 105 passengers and 11 crew contracted Norwalk-like virus.  Passengers onboard suggested that the number afflicted was much higher than 100.

Illness
January 1
Nantucket Clipper
Clipper Cruise Line

The ship left Charleston, SC on December 28, 2002.  It reported to the CDC on January 1 a report indicating 5 (5.2%) passengers and 5 (14.7%) crew had reported gastrointestinal illness.  The vessel is not scheduled to return to the US until March 2003.

Illness
January ?
Arabella
Cruise Arabella

Outbreak investigation by CDC -- source not identified

Illness

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