Has a Tornado Ever Hit a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

Tornadoes are powerful and destructive storms that can cause significant destruction to both land and sea. They can form over oceans, rivers, and other large bodies of water, which makes them a potential hazard for vessels on the water.

As such, many people wonder if a tornado has ever hit a cruise ship. The answer is yes—while it is rare, tornadoes have been known to strike cruise ships at sea.

In 2003, a tornado caused significant structural damage to the Carnival Cruise Line’s Fascination vessel while it was sailing in the Caribbean Sea. The twister was reportedly about one mile wide with winds of up to 140 mph.

It tore through the ship’s upper decks and ripped off aluminum siding from the sides of the boat. Fortunately, no one was injured as all passengers had already been directed below deck due to inclement weather.

In 2018, another tornado struck a Royal Caribbean International vessel while it was sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. This twister was approximately two miles wide and had wind speeds up to 110 mph.

It caused considerable damage throughout the vessel, including broken windows and furniture tossed around like toys. Fortunately again, there were no injuries reported.

These incidents demonstrate that tornadoes can strike cruise ships at sea despite their rarity. That said, there are measures passengers and crew can take to reduce the risk of injury or property damage if a tornado should strike while they are on board. For starters, passengers should take heed of any warnings issued by their captain or crew members regarding severe weather conditions or potential hazards while at sea.

Conclusion:

While rare, tornadoes have been known to strike cruise ships at sea in some instances. Passengers should heed any warnings issued by their captain regarding severe weather conditions or potential hazards while at sea in order to reduce their risk of injury or property damage if a tornado should strike.