Carnival Ecstasy accidents and incidents

16 June 2022Other Incidents

On June 16, 2022, from the docked at Port Mobile (Alabama) Carnival Ecstasy was offloaded a vintage car (Rolls Royce Saloon from 1934). The unique automobile (originally positioned outside Ecstasy's Rolls Royce Cafe) was later shipped to Finland and loaded onto Carnival Celebration (at the time being still under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard).

Note: On February 3, 2022, was announced that in 2022, CCL's fleet leave the ships Carnival Ecstasy (1991-built/31-year-old) and Carnival Sensation (1993-built/29-year-old).

24 June 2019Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On June 24, 2019, 4 cruise passengers sustained injuries during a Carnival-sponsored shore excursion ("Cathedral Cove, Ocean Hole and Rock Sound Island Tour") on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. An US military plane (Lockheed C-130 Hercules) flew the injured tourists to FLL Airport (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood) from where they were ambulanced to Broward Health Medical Center.

According to the official report, 3 of the passengers sustained "serious injuries ranging from fractures of the arms and legs to internal injuries and possible paralysis. The 4th passenger’s injuries were minor. All were "conscious and speaking to paramedics".

The tour bus, carrying a total of 32 passengers, crashed close to Rock Sound Town (South Eleuthera). Carnival Cruise Line announced that the remaining 28 tourists were cleared to return to the cruise liner "after being checked out at a local clinic". Other vehicles were involved. All excursions by the tour operator were temporarily suspended.

The accident occurred at the beginning of 5-day Bahamascruise (itinerary June 22-27) roundtrip from homeport JAXPORT (Jacksonville, Florida) to Princess Cays and Nassau.

27 January 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On January 27, 2019, an 80-year-old female passenger was medevaced from the ship approx 90 km (55 ml) east of Savannah, Georgia. After falling, the elderly woman sustained a head injury which required emergency treatment ashore.

The liner contacted USCG Station Charleston at 9:15 pm, which dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew arriving at ~10:20 pm. The woman and a crew nurse were airlifted and flown to Memorial University Medical Center (MHUMC) in Savannah GA.

The incident occurred at the beginning of 4-day Bahamas cruise (itinerary Jan 27-31) roundtrip from homeport Charleston SC to Nassau.

September 2017Other Incidents

In September 2017, one 6-day Bahamas cruise (itinerary Sept 9-15) from homeport Charleston SC (to Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau) was canceled due to hurricane Irma. All cruise and shore excursion bookings received full refunds.

21 April 2017Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 21, 2017, a 53-year-old female passenger (suffering from chest pains) was medevaced while the ship was approx 240 km (150 ml) east of homeport Port Canaveral. USCG Clearwater dispatched a helicopter (MH-60 Jayhawk) to airlift the woman and together with a crew nurse transport them to Halifax Health Medical Center (Daytona Beach Florida).

14 April 2017Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 14, 2017, a 71-year-old female passenger (suffering a head injury after falling) was medevaced while the ship was approx 120 km (75 ml) east of Daytona Beach Florida. The elderly woman was airlifted and transported to UF Health Shands Hospital (Gainesville Florida) via USCG helicopter team dispatched from Air Station Clearwater.

07 September 2016Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On September 7, 2016, at ~2:30 am, the ship conducted a search and rescue operation (later continued by USCG vessels) approx 27 ml (43 km) southwest of Freeport (Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas). A 32-year-old female passenger (Rina Patel, from Interlaken, New York) was reported fell overboard - “jumping overboard” from deck 11, according to a crew witness.

The AIS data showed a classic man overboard rescue turn (aka Williamson Turn) – slowing speed and turning around. The accident occurred while the ship was at sea, returning from 6-day Bahamas cruise from Charleston SC to Half Moon Cay Island and Nassau. After a 43-hour period and covering an area of around 2800 ml2 (7250 km2), the USCG operation was suspended on Sept 9. The woman's body was never found.

29 August 2016Crew / Passenger Crimes

On August 29, 2016, CBP officers (Customs and Border Protection) arrested on outstanding warrants for drug crimes 2 cruise passengers when the ship arrived in homeport Charleston SC. The passengers - Otto Witherspoon (male, age 28, from Charleston SC) and Keshanda Mazyck (female, age 37, from St Stephen SC) were both of US origin and traveling separately.

The man was arrested for distribution of cocaine. The woman was arrested for possession of narcotics. The incident occurred at the end of 4-day Bahamas cruise (itinerary Aug 25-29) from Charleston to Nassau.

26 February 2016Crew / Passenger Crimes

(law news) On August 11, 2016, US federal jury indictment was handed down against a male passenger accused of assaulting another male passenger onboard the ship.

The incident (alleged assault) occurred on February 26, 2016, while the vessel was in international waters and en-route from the Bahamas back to homeport Charleston SC. Timothy Dean Hill (of US origin) was accused of and charged with "assault resulting in serious bodily injuries” (max penalty 10 years in federal prison). No further details about both men and the alleged incident were provided.

29 December 2015Crew / Passenger Deaths

On December 29, 2015, a US TV news media reported on passenger-made videos showing blood pouring out of one of the ship’s elevators. Carnival Cruise Lines announced via email the death of a 66-year-old male crew (Jose Sandoval Opazo, of Italian origin) who worked on the ship as a chief electrician.

The man was doing routine maintenance when the elevator suddenly moved from deck 6 to 9. He fell and was crushed against the shaft’s wall. According to the investigation report, the man had disabled the lift’s safety system. The accident occurred at sea (at ~6:15 pm) during 4-day Western Caribbean "New Year Cruise" (itinerary Dec 28 – Jan 1) from homeport Miami to Key West Florida and Cozumel Mexico.

17 April 2013Propulsion / Power Loss

On April 17, 2013, while off the Florida coast and at the end of 5-day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral, the ship experienced technical issue causing power loss for about 15 min. The problem was fixed by the crew and no injuries were reported.

17 April 2013Boat Rescue

(Cuban refugees boat) On April 17, 2013, the ship was on 5-day Mexico itinerary from Miami (departure May 12). While en-route from Key West Florida to Cozumel Mexico, the vessel received a distress call and altered its course in order to help a boat with 41 Cuban refugees (migrants) trying to get to the USA by sea. The unseaworthy and overcrowded boat was sailing without any lifesaving or navigation equipment on it. The incident happened in Florida Straits (90 ml / 145 km) between Florida and Cuba.

Note: Cruise ship operators have agreed to inform the USCG if they spot Cuban refugees in the open sea and to rescue them if needed.

Similar Carnival cruise ship rescue incidents happened on Carnival Paradise (March 4, 2014, 24 Cubans rescued), on Carnival Dream (May 7, 2014, 39 Cubans rescued), on Carnival Liberty (August 22, 2014, 11 Cubans rescued) and on Carnival Breeze (May 9, 2015, 25 Cubans rescued). All refugee boats were both unseaworthy and overcrowded.

20 July 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

On July 20, 2010, a male passenger died while the ship was docked in homeport Galveston TX. The autopsy report showed Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (heart disease).

21 April 2010Ship Listing

On April 21, 2010, at ~1 am, the ship performed an evasive maneuver to avoid a floating object (adrift, mostly submerged buoy), resulting in a 12-degree listing to portside. The ship was on the second leg of 5-day Mexico cruise (itinerary April 17-22) from homeport Galveston TX.

According to passenger reports, the ship tilted for ~10 min. The incident caused panic, damages (including broken glass) and the swimming pool was emptied. Some 60+ passengers suffered minor injuries. The number of total losses was over USD 25 million.

16 February 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

On February 16, 2010, a female passenger was found dead by the boyfriend. The toxicology report showed tests for multiple drugs.

28 January 2010Ship Collision / Allision

(pier collision) On January 28, 2010, while maneuvering to dock at homeport Galveston TX, the ship collided with Pier 23. This type of marine accidents is called “allision” (striking a fixed object) as opposed to “collision” (striking another vessel).

12 February 2009Fire Accident

On February 12, 2009, while maneuvering for docking at homeport Galveston TX, the liner suffered a fire accident. The fire erupted in the cabin corridor aft-starboard on Main Deck (deck 5) near stateroom number 217. The fire was immediately extinguished by ship's automated sprinkler system. As injuries were reported 5 passengers and 2 crew suffering from minor smoke inhalation. The next scheduled cruise was not affected.

During the incident, all passengers in the vicinity were mustered to the assembly stations. The inspection later found two laundry bags outside cabin 217 burned and melted. Probable cause for the fire was the hot part of corridor's lighting fixture which was in contact with both bags.

20 July 1998Fire Accident

On July 20, 1998, a laundry room fire caused minor injuries to 8 passengers and 14 crew, as well as serious damages to the ship. The number of total losses was over USD 17 million (vessel's entire stern was charred).

Liner's fire suppression system didn't suppress the fire. Fortunately, the accident happened when the ship was near PortMiami, so fire-fighting tugboats quickly responded and assisted it.

The accident occurred en-route from Miami to Key West FL. The ship was carrying a total of 2565 passengers and 916 crew. The fire started in the main laundry room, then through the ventilation system spread to the aft mooring deck and ignited the mooring lines (ropes). Then the ship lost propulsion power and started steering and drifting. The Captain called the USCG for assistance. Six tugboats responded to assist and tow the cruise ship.

On board, firefighters extinguished the fire by ~9 pm. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation report determined as probable cause for the fire the unauthorized welding (done by crew members in the laundry room). In the ventilation system, the welding ignited a large accumulation of lint. The extensive fire damage was contributed by the lack of automatic fire water sprinkler system on the aft mooring deck. As compensation, all passengers received a full refund plus free Carnival cruise.