How Many Times Has a Cruise Ship Sank?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships have been around for decades, and they have become a popular form of travel for many people. But, how many times has a cruise ship actually sunk? The answer may surprise you.

Since the beginning of modern cruise ships in the 1960s, there have been at least 35 major incidents where a cruise ship has sunk or suffered major damage due to sinking. Of these 35 incidents, 10 were caused by storms or natural disasters, 8 were caused by fires onboard, 5 were caused by collisions with other vessels and 12 were caused by mechanical failures.

The most notable incident of a cruise ship sinking was the sinking of the Costa Concordia in 2012. This incident happened off the coast of Italy and resulted in 32 people losing their lives. The captain and crew members on board were found responsible for the disaster due to their negligence in handling the situation.

There are other incidents which are worth mentioning. In 1994, 2 Japanese passenger ships sank after colliding with each other in Tokyo Bay; in 2003, a Royal Caribbean ship caught fire and sank off the coast of Mexico; and in 2007, another Royal Caribbean ship ran aground in Alaska due to navigational errors.

It is important to note that these incidents represent only a fraction of all cruises that have been taken over the years. Despite these tragedies, cruising remains one of the safest forms of travel available today. Cruise lines take numerous precautions to ensure passenger safety including having highly trained crew members on board as well as stringent maintenance protocols.

In conclusion, despite some high-profile cases where cruise ships have sunk or suffered major damage due to sinking, it is an extremely rare occurrence overall. Cruise lines take numerous safety precautions to ensure passengers’ safety while on board and cruising remains one of the safest forms of travel available today.