Pullmantur Horizon accidents and incidents

March 2020Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus outbreak) In early-April 2020, of all the 250 staff-crew on the liner, ~125 were reported as confirmed Coronavirus cases (people tested positive for COVID-19). The first positive cases were unofficially reported on March 20 (11 crew), March 26 (4 crew), March 28 (40 crew), March 30 (11 crew) and April 4 (~125 crew). The April-announced cases followed the testing of all the ship's staff-crew.

On March 15, the ship docked in Dubai UAE (berthed at Port Rashid) and since then remained quarantined there (denied debarkation). Following the first Coronavirus cases, the ship activated emergency health protocols, transferring all the staff-crew from their cabins to passenger staterooms. All excepting the on-duty crew were isolated in separate staterooms and not allowed to leave the rooms. Food, beverages and various supplies (upon request) were ordered via phone and delivered via room service.

25 July 2016Ship Grounding

On July 25, 2016, the vessel ran aground near call port Stavanger Norway.  It became stuck after navigating into the sandbanks near the port. Tugboats were sent to assist the ship and push it safely into the dock.

13 April 2015Crew / Passenger Deaths

On April 13, 2015, while the ship was en route from La Romana (Dominican Republic) to Philipsburg (St Maarten), a 67-year-old male passenger allegedly jumped overboard in open sea (Caribbean), approx 18 ml / 30 km off Vieques (Peurto Rico).

Initially, a crew reported seeing "a large object / probably person" falling off the vessel and into the water. The CCTV camera check revealed the man (Dominic William O'Carroll, from Ireland) going overboard at ~5 am.

The USCG conducted a search and rescue operation in the area with two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters dispatched from Air Station Borinquen (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico). They were assisted by USCG Cutter Drummond (patrol boat) dispatched from San Juan Puerto Rico, as well as two law-enforcement vessels dispatched from Boat Station San Juan and Boat Station St Thomas (USVI).

The USCG crews conducted a total of 12 searches, covering a total area of approx 1680 ml2 (4340 km2). The operation was suspended on April 16. The man's body was never found.

28 January 2015Drug Smuggling

On January 26, 2015, three passengers (1 male and 2 female) were arrested and charged with drug trafficking. Arrests were made when the ship docked in call port Margarita Island (Venezuela). Drugs were found during a routine check at the cruise terminal by patrolling officers with a sniffer dog.

Reportedly, the 3 cruise passengers - Arnaldo Salazar Rosas (aged 34), Andreina Lopez Ramírez (aged 26) and Mercedes Salazar Benzaquen (aged 22) were carrying a total of 20 kilos of cocaine wrapped in 108 bundles.

The ship was en route to the Dominican Republic carrying around 1600 passengers plus 600 crew.

28 January 2008Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Island Star) On January 28, 2007, while operating in South America and en-route from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the ship suffered a complete power loss/blackout. For ~6 hours, the vessel was drifting at sea.

27 September 2007Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Island Star) On September 27, 2007, while navigating in the Western Mediterranean (off France's coast), engine failure caused complete power loss/blackout. The voyage was cancelled and all passengers ferried to shore via the tender boats.

The next scheduled cruise (leaving September 29 out of Palma de Mallorca) was also cancelled allowing drydock for repairs.

April 2005Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Celebrity Cruises Horizon) In April 2005, CDC reported on itinerary April 23 to 30, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 42 passengers (out of 1309, or 3,2%) and 14 crew (out of 650, or 2,1%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The ship was on 7-day Bermuda cruise from homeport Norfolk VA.

April 2004Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Celebrity Cruises Horizon) In April 2004, CDC reported on itinerary March 21 to April 2, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 49 passengers (out of 1250, or 3,9%) and 5 crew (out of 679, or 0,7%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The ship was on a 12-day Caribbean cruise from homeport Tampa Florida.