Has a Cruise Ship Ever Been Caught in a Hurricane?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships are a popular way to travel, with millions of passengers choosing to spend their holidays on board each year. But what happens when one of these ships is caught in a hurricane?

Cruise ships have been caught in hurricanes before, though the chances of this happening are slim. Cruise lines go to great lengths to avoid storms, and they use sophisticated technology and experienced meteorologists to help them plan their routes. However, despite all these measures, there have been instances where a cruise ship has been caught in a hurricane.

In September 2018, for instance, Hurricane Florence caused Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Ecstasy to be re-routed from its original course. The ship had originally been sailing from Charleston, South Carolina to the Bahamas but changed course and made for Freeport in the Bahamas instead. The Carnival Ecstasy was forced to remain in port at Freeport for two days due to high winds and rough seas caused by the storm.

In 2005, Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas was caught in Hurricane Wilma while on its way from Miami to Cozumel. The ship diverted course and headed back towards Miami as it was deemed too dangerous to continue on its original route. The Empress of the Seas sat at anchor off Miami Beach for two days before returning back towards Cozumel after the storm had passed.

Most cruise lines take all necessary precautions when it comes to avoiding hurricanes – they will often cancel or change itineraries if they think it is necessary in order to keep their passengers safe. All cruise line staff are trained in emergency procedures should they be caught up in a storm, and most ships also carry enough supplies for several days just in case they are delayed by bad weather.

In conclusion, while it is not common for cruise ships to be caught up in hurricanes, it does happen from time-to-time. Cruise lines take all necessary precautions when planning their routes and provide comprehensive training for their staff should an emergency situation arise.