How Many Cruise Ships Have Sunk Since the Titanic?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships have been a popular mode of travel for many years now. While these large ships are designed to be safe and secure, accidents can still happen.

One of the most famous cruise ship disasters in history is undoubtedly the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. But how many cruise ships have sunk since then? Let’s take a closer look.

Major Cruise Ship Disasters Since the Titanic

While there have been several accidents involving cruise ships over the years, only a few of them can be classified as major disasters. Here are some of the most notable ones:

The MS Explorer (2007)

The MS Explorer was a small expedition ship that sank in November 2007 after hitting an iceberg off the coast of Antarctica. All 154 passengers and crew members were rescued before the ship sank.

The Costa Concordia (2012)

The Costa Concordia was a massive cruise ship that capsized off the coast of Italy in January 2012, killing 32 people. The accident was caused by human error when the captain deviated from his planned course to perform a sail-by salute.

The Sewol Ferry (2014)

The Sewol Ferry was not technically a cruise ship, but it was carrying many passengers on a pleasure trip when it sank off the coast of South Korea in April 2014, killing 304 people. The accident was caused by an overloaded cargo hold and improper stowage.

Other Cruise Ship Accidents

While these three incidents are among the most well-known cruise ship disasters since Titanic, there have been several other accidents over the years that have resulted in injuries or fatalities. Here are some examples:

  • The Achille Lauro (1994) – A passenger was killed during an act of terrorism.
  • The Sea Diamond (2007) – A small cruise ship sank off the coast of Greece, resulting in two deaths.
  • The Carnival Triumph (2013) – An engine room fire left passengers stranded for several days without power or working toilets.

Conclusion

While cruise ship accidents are rare, they do happen from time to time. It’s important to remember that these incidents are the exception rather than the rule, and millions of people enjoy safe and enjoyable cruises every year. However, it’s always a good idea to be aware of potential risks and to take precautions when traveling on a cruise ship.