Carnival Valor accidents and incidents

15 January 2024Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 15, 2024, while the ship was docked at Port Costa Maya, an elderly female passenger died ashore.

(CruiseMapper-emailed report from Regan Hoofman)

Hello, I was wanting to inquire about an incident that happened while in the port of Costa Maya. I’m genuinely more curious than anything, why my aunts incident hasn’t been reported at all. She didn’t board the carnival Valero go to the next port, then home, because she died in Mexico, but on the cruise port. I feel like this should be reported and I’m truly shocked and saddened to not find anything at all about it, not to mention be extorted by the Mexico funeral home for money to send my aunt's body home, but her death can’t even be report on cruise ship accidents? Just curious about the way you report because to me, if someone doesn’t board the ship they traveled on to a different country, even if it doesn’t happen in or on the ship, that is still an incident that involves the cruise ship and should be reported as such. I would really appreciate if someone could reach out to me and explain further or correct what isn’t being published. But either way I would like to be contacted about this. Thank you for reading & understanding, if you do. This is truly a devastating loss on top of the money that is expected but not required to send her body home from a didn’t country. The man who took custody of her body was invited onto the ship to discuss things with her next of kin and lied in front of Carnival's crew that was present. It's upsetting and hurtful.

Her name was Jackie Shoemaker. She was in Costa Maya, heading back to the boat at the end of the day at the port, and ran to catch a trolly. A man tried to help her but she fell backwards between the trolly cars and was essentially crushed. She died immediately but they tried to perform CPR for over an hour while they contacted my grandmother, her sister who was on the ship.

The cruise was on Carnival Valor (dates 13-18th).

She died at the first port in Costa Maya, on January 15th. It was actually the day before her 68th birthday. I know that doesn’t matter to anyone but our family but this is so hard. I appreciate you reaching out so quickly. She was supposed to be celebrating and she died before she even turned 68, and we are all just devastated. The Mexican corner that came onto the ship told my grama they would have her home Friday (Jan 19th) and she made it to the States today. Most of the hold-up was the extortion from a funeral home in Chetemal (Campestre Recinto Exequial/Funeral Grounds).

She was my great aunt, my grandmother's sister.

I believe this kind of thing should be reported more so people understand the importance of traveling out of the country, and needing travel insurance if they do IF something were to happen. 

The incident occurred during the 5-day "Western Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary Jan 13-18, roundtrip from Port NOLA, New Orleans, Louisiana USA) visiting Mexico's Costa Maya (Jan 15, port stay 1-8 PM), and Cozumel (Jan 16).

26 March 2023Boat Rescue

On March 26, 2023, while navigating in the Gulf of Mexico (en route from Louisiana USA to Mexico) the liner responded to a USCG request to assist a small boat in distress drifting approx 40 mi / 65 km away.

The ship immediately changed course, arrived at the scene around noon, dispatched a lifeboat and retrieved three men (Honduras residents). Onboard. the rescued were provided with medical checks, food and accommodation. On March 27th, they were disembarked in Costa Maya.

The incident occurred at the beginning of the 5-day "Western Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary Mar 25-30, roundtrip from New Orleans) visiting the Mexican ports Costa Maya (Mar 27) and Cozumel (Mar 28).

03 December 2022Coast Guard Medevacs

On December 3, 2022, a 29-year-old female crew was medevaced from the ship navigating on the Mississippi River and close to Port Sulphur (Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish).

The ship contacted the USCG's New Orleans Sector at ~10 pm Louisiana time (4 am UTC) requesting an urgent medical evacuation. For the operation was launched an MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter. The woman was hoisted and flown to CG Air Station New Orleans from where was ambulanced to Marrero LA's West Jefferson Medical Center.

The incident occurred at the beginning of a 5-day "Western Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary Dec 3-8, roundtrip from Port NOLA/New Orleans) visiting two ports in Mexico - Cozumel and Progreso.

24 November 2022Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard/rescued) On November 24, 2022 (at ~2:30 pm Louisiana time/~20:30 UTC), while navigating in the Mexican Gulf, the ship reported a missing/overboard passenger and contacted the USCG for assistance.

The 28-year-old man was last seen by his sister at a bar on Nov 23rd (Wednesday night). She said her brother left the bar ~11 pm to use the restroom and didn't return to his stateroom. She reported him missing on Nov 24th (Thursday noon/Thanksgiving Day).

Carnival Valor retraced the route to support the USCG-launched search and rescue operation. Later, the ship was released and continued toward Cozumel (Mexico). The overboard passenger was found responsive, hoisted by an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and flown to New Orleans Lakefront Airport from where was ambulanced in stable condition.

At ~ 8:25 pm, the man was spotted by a crew from the bulk carrier/cargo ship Crinis (2011-built, IMO 9598165) approx 20 mi / 30 km south of Southwest Pass (Plaquemines Parish Louisiana/shipping channel in Mississippi River Delta).

The incident occurred during a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Nov 23-28, roundtrip from Port NOLA (New Orleans USA) with call ports in Mexico - Cozumel (Nov 25) and Progreso (Nov 26).

09 April 2022Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 9, 2022, a 60-year-old male passenger was medevaced from the ship navigating approx 3 km / 2 mi south of Venice (Louisiana USA). The call for assistance was received at 9:54 pm (16:54 UTC).

The man, experiencing stroke-like symptoms, was airlifted by a USCG MH-65 Dolphin helicopter team and flown to New Orlean's Tulane Medical Center, reportedly in stable condition.

The ship was at the beginning of a 5-day "Western Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary April 9-14, roundtrip from Port NOLA/New Orlean) to Mexico's ports Costa Maya and Cozumel.

16 February 2022Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On February 16, 2022, a 32-year-old female passenger was reported missing and overboard at 14:28 Louisiana time (8:28 UTC), while the ship was navigating in the Gulf of Mexico, approx 240 km / 150 mi offshore SouthWest Pass (one of the Mississippi mouth's shipping channels).

Carnival Valor immediately contacted the USCG to request assistance, then for several hours circled the area before the USCG took over. For the search and rescue operation, Air Station Clearwater dispatched an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter while from ATC Mobile was dispatched an HC-144 Ocean Sentry (medium-range aircraft) to search the area. At 17:37 Louisiana time (11:37 UTC) the search was suspended as the body was not found.

Reportedly, the woman jumped overboard following a disturbance at Deck 10's pool area that forced the ship's security to chase her. She jumped from her cabin's balcony on Panorama Deck (deck 10), hit the superstructure before hitting the water (face first), and soon disappeared. The crew tossed overboard life rings and flares to mark the overboard position.

The incident occurred at the end of a 5-day Western Caribbean Cruise (itinerary Feb 12-17, roundtrip from Port NOLA New Orleans), with call ports Costa Maya and Cozumel.

22 December 2021Coast Guard Medevacs

At ~11:30 am (~5:30 UTC) on December 22, 2021, the USCG's Base New Orleans received a request for an emergency evacuation of a male passenger (with internal bleeding/stroke-like symptoms) onboard Carnival Valor. The ship was en route from Mexico back to the USA (Port NOLA) ending a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Dec 18-23) with call ports Costa Maya and Cozumel.

During the medevac call, the liner was approx 218 mi (350 km) south of Louisiana's Southwest Pass (one of the channels at the Mississippi River's mouth). Being in a stable condition, the 53-year-old man, together with a ship nurse, were airlifted/hoisted by an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and flown to UMCNO (University Medical Center New Orleans).

08 October 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On October 8, 2019, at ~5:45 am, a 23-year-old male passenger was medevaced from the liner navigating near Venice (Louisiana USA). The man sustained "multiple significant injuries" after falling from ~ 5 m (16 ft) on the ship - from an interior balcony on deck 14 and onto deck 10. He was airlifted by a USCG MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and flown to University Medical Center (New Orleans) in critical condition.

The incident occurred at the beginning of 5-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Oct 7-12) roundtrip from homeport NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Mexico (Cozumel and Progreso).

22 January 2019Propulsion / Power Loss

On January 22, 2019, while en-route from Galveston to Cozumel, the liner temporary lost power resulting in shipwide electricity outage and drifting at sea for ~1 hour. In an official statement, Carnival Cruise Lines said "Carnival Valor is experiencing a temporary issue that is affecting the power supply to certain functions of the ship. The air conditioning is back in service and the ship has resumed its course to Cozumel. We expect the remaining functions to be restored shortly".

The accident occurred at the beginning of 5-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Jan 21-26) roundtrip from homeport Galveston Texas to Mexico (Cozumel and Progreso).

02 December 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On December 2, 2018, a 71-year-old female passenger was medevaced from the liner approx 93 km (58 ml) from Galveston Texas. The elderly woman and a crew nurse were hoisted to a USCG helicopter and transported to UTMB (University of Texas Medical Branch).

The incident occurred at the beginning of 5-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Dec 1-6) roundtrip from homeport Galveston to Mexico (Cozumel and Progreso).

16 April 2017Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 16, 2017, a 52-year-old female passenger was medevaced by USCG helicopter team while the ship was in the Gulf of Mexico, approx 480 km (300 mi) south of Southwest Pass Louisiana. The MH-65 Dolphin was dispatched from New Orleans LA.

03 April 2017Coast Guard Medevacs

On August 3, 2017, a 30-year-old female passenger with a head injury was medevaced from the ship, approx 16 km (10 mi) east of Galveston TX. The young woman sustained an injury after falling onboard. She was airlifted by USCG MH-65 Dolphin helicopter team and transported in a safe condition to Galveston’s UTMB Health Center.

02 April 2016Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 2, 2016, a medical emergency resulted in a course change on the 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise (itinerary March 26 – April 2) from Port Canaveral Florida. The incident also caused an itinerary change for the next scheduled 7-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary April 2 – 9). The ship dropped Costa Maya (Mexico), visiting only Cozumel, Belize City, and Roatan.

As compensation, passengers received automatically refunded port fees, costs for booked through Carnival Cruise Lines Costa Maya excursions, USD 25 (in onboard credit) plus 20% future Carnival cruise booking discount.

07 August 2015Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On August 7, 2015, a 46-year-old male crew was charged with sexual battery of a minor, lewd and lascivious molestation. The man (Yovany Sauzo-Batiz, of Honduran origin) was working on the ship as a cabin steward. He first tried to start a conversation with the teenage boy in one of the Spa’s sauna rooms. To avoid him, the boy moved to the showers, where the sexual assault occurred.

After identifying the man, the boy’s father, assisted by other passengers, detained the crew until the ship’s security staff arrived. The incident occurred on the second leg of a 7-day Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean cruise when the ship was returning to homeport Port Canaveral Florida en-route from Grand Turk.

10 February 2014Fire Accident

On February 10, 2014, while the ship was docked in St Thomas (USVI) a fire in one of the passenger staterooms broke out and spread to few more cabins. The ship’s departure was delayed. No injuries were reported.

21 December 2013Boat Rescue

On December 21, 2013, after responding to a distress call, the ship rescued all five people (2 women, 3 men) from a motor yacht that was sinking off St Maarten island (West Indies). The ship was on a 7-day cruise *itinerary Dec 15-22) roundtrip from homeport San Juan Puerto Rico. People from the sinking yacht were rescued via lifeboat. They were brought onboard for medical evaluations and given food and water. During this incident, two of the ship’s crew received minor injuries.

16 July 2012Coast Guard Medevacs

On July 16, 2012, a male passenger was reported for having seizures (not related to an accident on the ship). He was medevaced by USCG assets and transported to  LKMC (Lower Keys Medical Center, Key West Florida). The man had a pre-existing medical condition.

25 May 2012Crew / Passenger Deaths

On May 25, 2012, a male passenger was found dead in the ship's Theater )leaning on his couch and unresponsive). Fellow passengers started CPR. The med staff arrived and took over the CPR procedure. The man was transported via stretcher to the ship’s hospital while CPR continued. He was pronounced dead by natural causes (pre-existing medical conditions).

28 April 2012Crew / Passenger Deaths

On April 28, 2012, a male passenger died in his cabin. His girlfriend stated when he came to bed, he was heavily breathing, then suddenly stopped breathing. She called the crew and report the emergency. The duty nurse responded and began ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support). Two more nurses arrived for assistance, followed by all the remaining med staff, but the man couldn’t be revived and was pronounced dead by natural causes.

11 December 2011Coast Guard Medevacs

On December 11, 2011, a female passenger suffered injury (femoral neck fracture) and was medevaced. The woman was in her cabin when lost balance and fell. She was transferred to the Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital.

11 January 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 11, 2011, a female passenger died by cardiac arrest while the ship sailed near Belize coast and on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from Miami. The autopsy revealed death was caused by “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” (pre-existing medical condition).

20 November 2007Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On November 20, 2007, 22 passengers were involved in a road crash accident on a sponsored by Carnival shore excursion in St Thomas (USVI). In the open-air safari tour bus were traveling all 29 people. All of them suffered injuries and were sent to Schneider Regional Medical Center. A man with a fractured skull was airlifted to Miami.

The incident occurred at ~3 pm on Mafolie Road when the brakes of a bucket truck failed and it hit the tour bus from the back. Then the truck tipped over crushing a pickup truck and also hitting a smaller vehicle.

23 June 2007Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard/rescued) On June 23, 2007, a male passenger fell overboard but was rescued alive. The incident happened at ~7:30 pm. The ship immediately turned around and started a search and rescue operation. The USCG was also alerted. Later (~9 pm) the crew spotted the man and sent a rescue boat to retrieve him. The incident report stated the man was intoxicated.

15 June 2007Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On June 15, 2007, a 4-year-old kid suffered a near drowning incident. The ship was on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from homeport Miami and en-route from Costa Maya Mexico. Because the girl’s condition was worsening, the ship had to make an emergency stop in Cozumel for evacuation.

23 January 2007Drug Smuggling

On January 23, 2007, two passengers (US citizens, aged 26 and 23) were arrested at Tourist Village before boarding the ship in Belize City. They were charged for drug trafficking (70 gr cocaine) and sentenced to pay fines of total USD 20,000.

28 December 2006Crew / Passenger Deaths

On December 28, 2006, a 55-year-old female passenger died on a sponsored by Carnival snorkeling shore excursion in Grand Cayman.

14 May 2005Coast Guard Medevacs

On May 14, 2005, a female passenger suffered an injury (broken neck) and was medevaced for surgery ashore. This ridiculous incident occurred in the ship’s "Washington Dining Room" restaurant during late dinner seating. After dinner, a drunken woman climbed one of the pedestals (used for storing trays) and started dancing to the music. Soon she fell off, landing on a round dining table and hitting another woman who sustained a broken neck.

14 April 2005Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard) On April 14, 2005, a male passenger jumped overboard (from the ship’s bow) but was rescued alive. The incident occurred at ~3 am. The man decided to kill himself after losing roughly USD 10,000 at the onboard Casino. After a crew saw him falling overboard, the ship stopped, lowered a lifeboat and rescued him. He was disembarked in St Maarten.