Has Anyone Ever Died on a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

Cruise ship vacations are becoming increasingly popular, due to the comfortable atmosphere, entertainment options and leisurely pace of a cruise. But with the recent news of multiple cruises being disrupted by illness and mechanical issues, it raises the question – has anyone ever died on a cruise ship?

The answer is yes. While deaths aboard cruise ships are rare, they do happen.

The most common causes of death aboard a cruise ship are accidental drownings, falls overboard and medical emergencies. Some of these deaths may have been caused by natural causes or medical conditions unrelated to the cruise itself.

Other deaths may have been caused by criminal activity such as murder or suicide. In some cases, a death aboard a cruise ship may be linked to negligence or improper maintenance of the vessel. Incidents such as fires, explosions and malfunctioning equipment can all be potential causes of death on board a cruise ship.

The number of deaths on board a cruise ship is small compared to other forms of transportation such as airplanes and cars. According to the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), there were an average of 6 reported fatalities per million passenger trips in 2016, which is lower than the average for all other forms of transportation.

Conclusion:

Overall, deaths on board a cruise ship are rare but do occur. Most commonly, these deaths are related to accidental drownings or falls overboard. However, there have been instances where criminal activity or negligence has resulted in fatalities aboard a cruise ship.