Has a Shark Ever Attacked a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

The fear of a shark attack is one of the most prevalent fears among people who love to go on cruises. Some may even wonder if such a thing has ever happened before, considering how large and powerful these creatures can be.

The answer to this question is yes, sharks have attacked cruise ships in the past, though it is rare.

The first known instance of a shark attack on a cruise ship took place in 2002 off the coast of Mexico. The ship in question was the Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Paradise, and the victim was an 18-year-old American student.

She was swimming near the back of the boat when she was bitten by a bull shark, leaving her with serious injuries.

Since then, there have been several other reported incidents involving sharks attacking cruise ships. In 2006, for example, two teenagers were attacked by a great white shark while on board a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel in Australia.

Another incident from 2008 had three passengers on board a Royal Caribbean ship being attacked by what was believed to be a tiger shark off the coast of Hawaii.

Although these cases are extremely rare and most often occur due to negligence or poor safety measures taken by those onboard the vessel, there are some steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of an attack occurring. For instance, passengers should always check with local authorities about any specific areas that may be more prone to shark attacks before entering into any body of water.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is clear that while rare, sharks have attacked cruise ships in the past and it is important for passengers to take safety measures into consideration when going on cruises or entering any body of water where sharks may be present.