carnival crashes cruise ship into royal caribbean ship

[Waldo]

happened sept 30

We had a fabulous day in Cozumel. Both boys learned how to snorkel (sort of) and should be ready for a good day of snorkeling in Belize tomorrow.

Here comes the important part....I now have a reason NOT to sail Carnival again. Everything was perfect until our 88,500 Ton ship crashed into a Royal Caribbean ship that was docked in Cozumel. We were leaving the port and supposedly, a strong wind forced our ship into a ship that was docked at a different pier. Kerry and I were in the photo gallery and heard a loud crunching sound and glass shattering. It went on for about 20 seconds and one of the crew yelled "Run to the other side of the ship." At first I thought it was a machine gun, then thought it was a series of bombs. Finally when we were on the other side of the ship, Kerry saw that we were crashing into the docked ship. Our boys were eating with the Camp Carnival kids' club on Deck 9, so we ran up 6 flights of stairs because we were afraid to use the elevators. The boys were eating and laughing and had no idea that anything was wrong. Thank God!

The "Mexican Authorities" whom I'm sure are very trustworthy and unable to be bribed deemed our ship seaworthy and sent us on our way after an hour or so. We are currently sailing to Belize and since the accident was about 3 hours ago, I guess we're OK. Kerry hurt his back and I'm just amazed at how a strong wind can control a vessel that weighs 88,500 tons. I think the Captain is full of shit! Anyway, I think our ship really is fine, but the Royal Caribbean ship had a pretty good sized gash on about the second or third deck.

We're determined to enjoy the rest of the cruise, but I wanted to tell you all just in case it makes the news. It probably won't because the cruise industry is notorious for keeping things like this quiet.

We're off to the casino to waste more money, then going to pick up the oblivious boys from the kids' club.

Lots of love,
-name withheld-

ship is out of florida Carnival legend

[Waldo]

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs217.snc1/8433_302813430110_558365110_9103981_3553155_n.jpg

[Waldo]

<<<< 9:04 pm ET) -- A Carnival cruise ship pulling out of Cozumel late Wednesday collided with a Royal Caribbean ship docked nearby in an incident that has left both vessels damaged.

Carnival says the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend had just untied from its berth at the popular Mexican resort town when it was caught by heavy winds and pushed into the 2,446-passenger Enchantment of the Seas.

"Extremely strong winds pushed the vessel up against the side of Royal Caribbeans Enchantment of the Seas," the line says in a statement to USA TODAY. "The (Royal Caribbean) ship was at dock when the incident occurred. The Carnival Legend sustained broken glass and other minor damage to some open deck areas."

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A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman tells USA TODAY the Enchantment suffered what appears to be minor damage to the stern of the ship and some railings.


Spokespeople for both lines say they have received no reports of injuries on board their respective ships resulting from the incident, which occurred at about 6:15 pm central time.

Both lines say the damage to the ships is not serious and the vessels will proceed with their current itineraries. The Enchantment of the Seas is on a five-night Caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. The Carnival Legend is on a seven-night Caribbean cruise out of Tampa.

"All appropriate authorities have been notified," Carnival says in its statement. "Following an examination of the vessel by Mexican authorities, the Carnival Legend was cleared to sail on to Belize, its next scheduled port of call." The Enchantment, as it happens, also is heading to Belize.

A passenger on the Enchantment of the Seas posting on a personal blog site shortly after the crash said he and some friends watched the incident unfold from the pool deck.

"As we're watching (the Legend), it's getting closer and closer. It looked like the wind was pushing the other ship toward us," writes the passenger, who goes by the pen name TheOneBob. "I looked down and saw a tug boat try to get between the two boats, but it was too late. Then the collision became inevitable. There was some crunching and breaking glass noises and the ship rocked to one side a little."

[robul]

sweet! eddie loves carnival cruises! those guys cant pilot a ship for shit!! sounds fishie though they are under power only by tugs while at port

[joerockhead]

Well, since you have never been on a ship at sea, YES! Wind can cause massive troubles for ships. Look at how much of that boat is above the water line! it is a giant sail. So it could easily be pushed in a bad direction.

Try riding a Ship 1/3 that size in the heavy seas!!! It is FUN!!!!