Cruise ships have been in operation for many years, and are a popular form of vacation for many travelers. But with the increasing number of cruise ships being built, and the rise of new technologies, it begs the question: has any cruise ship ever sunk?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. There have been numerous incidents involving cruise ships over the years, but only one that resulted in a true sinking.
In 1994, the MS Estonia sank off the coast of Finland while en route from Tallinn to Stockholm. The cause of the sinking was found to be due to a combination of heavy waves and a faulty door in the vessel’s bow visor. As a result, water flooded into the car deck, causing it to sink rapidly within minutes.
The sinking of MS Estonia was one of the worst disasters in maritime history and resulted in 852 deaths out of 989 passengers and crew on board. In addition to this tragedy, there have been several other incidents involving cruise ships that were close calls but did not result in sinkings. In 2006, for example, MSC Opera experienced an engine failure that caused it to drift dangerously close to shore before it was rescued by tugboats and taken into port for repairs.
The most recent incident involving a cruise ship occurred in 2019 when Grandeur of the Seas experienced an engine fire off the coast of Puerto Rico. While all passengers were safely evacuated from the vessel, it had suffered severe damage and was later declared a total loss by its owners Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL).
Overall, while there has only been one confirmed instance of a cruise ship sinking – that being MS Estonia – there have been numerous near misses over the years which could have had catastrophic consequences had they gone differently. This highlights just how important safety procedures are on board these vessels and why they must be followed at all times when sailing on them.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while it is true that only one cruise ship – MS Estonia – has ever truly sunk due to an unfortunate combination of events in 1994, there have also been several near misses over time which could have had dire consequences if not for proper safety protocols being followed onboard.