It’s the stuff of nightmares; going on a cruise, only to find yourself falling off the side and into the sea. But is it a reality? Has anyone really ever fallen off a cruise ship?
The answer is yes. In fact, falls from cruise ships are more common than you might think. The U.S Coast Guard reported that in 2018, there were nine incidents of people falling overboard from cruise ships, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries.
One such incident occurred in October 2018 when a man fell overboard from Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty while the ship was traveling off the coast of Mexico. It was reported that he had been seen standing on an outside balcony railing before he fell 60 feet into the ocean below. Unfortunately, his body was never recovered and he was presumed dead by authorities.
Another case happened in February 2019 when a woman fell overboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas while it was sailing near Honduras. Witnesses saw her leaning over the railing before she disappeared into the water below. Although she had been missing for over 11 hours before she was found by rescue teams, she eventually survived her ordeal without any major injuries.
In both cases, alcohol appears to have played a role in causing these tragic falls from cruise ships. Reports suggest that both individuals had been drinking prior to their falls and their intoxication likely impaired their judgment and balance which led to them slipping over the railings into the sea below.
It’s important to remember that alcohol can impair your judgment no matter where you are or what situation you’re in – including while cruising on a ship at sea! Therefore it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and stay sober while out on deck or near any railings to avoid any accidents or tragedies from occurring onboard your ship.
Falling off a cruise ship is thankfully rare but it does occasionally happen – with often tragic results for those involved. Alcohol appears to play a major role in these incidents so if you’re planning on taking a cruise, make sure you drink responsibly at all times so you don’t put yourself or anyone else at risk of falling overboard!
Conclusion: It is clear that falls from cruise ships do happen, with nine reported incidents occurring in 2018 alone leading to two fatalities and seven injuries according to U.S Coast Guard reports. Alcohol appears to be an influencing factor in many cases so it is important for passengers to stay alert and sober while out on deck or near any railings on board their ship in order to avoid putting themselves or anyone else at risk of falling overboard!