Carnival Fascination accidents and incidents

16 September 2020Structural and Technical Issues

(sold) On September 16, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced the cruise ship's sale (to an undisclosed buyer). The vessel was previously in a long-term (cold) lay-up status and permanently docked at Port Cadiz (Spain).

A total of 144x Carnival Fascination cruises were canceled (departures scheduled for the period November 1, 2020, through April 30, 2022), with planned homeporting in San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Bridgetown (Barbados) in 2020-2021 and in Mobile Alabama USA (January-April 2022).

In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) announced that intends to sell ships in FY2020 - instead of the previously expected fleet optimization planned over the next 3-5 years. Carnival added that already has preliminary agreements for selling 13 liners (in September increased to 18) which will leave the fleet in 2020. The current list includes the CCL's Fantasy-class (fleet's oldest) liners Fantasy, Inspiration, Imagination and Fascination.

19 May 2019Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On May 19, 2019, at ~1:30 am, a 19-year-old male passenger intentionally jumped overboard while the liner was en route from Barbados to Puerto Rico. After hitting the water, the young man started to swim and shout. The ship immediately turned around and approx 45 min later successfully conducted a rescue operation. The man was retrieved alive from the sea by one of the ship's lifeboats.

The incident occurred at the beginning of 7-day Southern Caribbean Cruise (itinerary May 17-24) roundtrip from homeport Bridgetown (Barbados) to Puerto Rico (San Juan, May 19, port stay 7 am - 6 pm), St Thomas BVI (Charlotte Amalie), St Maarten (Philipsburg), St Kitts (Basseterre) and St Lucia (Castries).

29 August 2018Boat Rescue

On August 29, 2018, at ~10 pm, the liner responded to a distress call from a fishing boat that had run out of fuel and was drifting approx 45 km (30 mi) from Barbados Island.

Two fishermen (from Barbados, aged 43 and 51) were rescued by the cruise ship and received medical assistance, food, and a cabin. Both men were disembarked in Castries (St Lucia Island) and later returned to Barbados.

The incident occurred during 7-day Southern Caribbean Cruise (itinerary Aug 26 - Sept 2) roundtrip from homeport from San Juan (Puerto Rico) to Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas), Bridgetown (Barbados), Castries (St Lucia), Basseterre (St Kitts) and Philipsburg (St Maarten).

05 August 2018Crew / Passenger Deaths

(suicide) On August 5, 2018, a 22-year-old male crew (Nikola Arnautovic, Serbian) was found hanged in his cabin. The body was found at ~10:40 am, after the cruise ship docked in San Juan (Puerto Rico).

The incident occurred at the end of 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise (itinerary July 29 - Aug 5) roundtrip from homeport San Juan to St Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), Barbados (Bridgetown), St Lucia (Castries), St Kitts (Basseterre), and St Maarten (Philipsburg).

14 April 2018Other Incidents

On April 14, 2018, the liner canceled the scheduled call port Philipsburg (St Maarten Island) due to a massive dump fire on the island. On April 13, the Port St Maarten authority canceled the visit to protect the country's image and avoid negative tourist experiences.

The ship was on 7-day Southern Caribbean Cruise (roundtrip itinerary April 8-15 from San Juan, Puerto Rico and April 11-18 from Bridgetown Barbados) visiting St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, and St Thomas.

February 2018Other Incidents

In 2017-2018, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) chartered the Carnival Corporation-owned cruise ship Fascination for 116 days for USD 39,7 million (daily charter rate USD 342,240).

During the 116-day period (October 11, 2017, through February 3, 2018) the vessel served as a hotel ship providing accommodations for the relief staff in the USVI following the hurricanes Irma and Maria (September 2017). FEMA paid for the ship charter a total of USD 74,7 million, of which USD 35 million were paid for berthing and port fees in San Juan Puerto Rico and other vessel costs (fuel, wastewater removal, crew compensations, logistics provisions, wet dock refurbishment in Feb 2018).

During the charter period, the ship provided 3 buffet meals pp per day, between-meal beverages (bottled water, coffee, tea, juices), staterooms (weekly cleaned), as well as public spaces access for FEMA personnel. FEMA is a US Government agency (US Department of Homeland Security) created to coordinate the response to all types of disasters in the USA. FEMA overwhelms all other local and state authorities after the governor of a particular state official request from the US president FEMA's response to the disaster.

The 4-month contract was for accommodating a total of  2056 FEMA workers. Given the contract price, the per person per day fare was around USD 830 (or over USD 5800 pp per week) "non-cruise" taxpayer money. For comparison, Carnival Fascination's cruise prices range between USD 370-1200 pp per week. For the Fascination ship charter, Carnival Corporation didn't pay any income taxes.

October 2017Other Incidents

In September-October 2017, three Carnival Fascination cruises from homeport San Juan Puerto Rico were canceled due to port damages sustained during Hurricane Maria (category 4 tropical cyclone formed on Sept 16).

The canceled Puerto Rico departures were September 24, October 1, October 8. The ship’s pre-scheduled alternating departures from Bridgetown Barbados (September 27, October 4 and 11) were also canceled.

14 December 2015Crew / Passenger Crimes

On December 14, 2015, FBI agents boarded the ship to collect evidence and investigate a crime incident (unspecified) that happened onboard during the 4-day Bahamas Cruise (itinerary Dec 10-14) from homeport Jacksonville Florida, with call ports Freeport and Nassau.

The next scheduled departure was not affected. Unofficial passenger reports mentioned several PA system announcements asking for medical staff assistance.

10 August 2015Coast Guard Medevacs

On August 10, 2015, approx 40 mi / 65 km east of Sebastian Inlet (Florida), the ship requested USCG assistance for a 55-year-old male passenger suffering severe stomach problems. The man was medevaced via USCG helicopter and transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center (HRMC, Melbourne Florida).

11 December 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

On December 11, 2013, a female passenger died from a cardiac attack (death from natural causes).

22 July 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

On July 22, 2013, a male crew died in his cabin soon after complaining of pain in the neck (death from natural causes).

12 September 2012Sea Pollution

On September 12, 2012, one of the liner’s two rescue boats discharged around 0,05 US gallons (0,2 litters) of diesel fuel into Port Key West's waters.

21 August 2012Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On August 21, 2012, a security officer saw a 31-year-old male passenger jumping overboard from Deck 10 into the water. Reportedly highly intoxicated, the man (US Army Sergeant) entered a crew-only access area where was confronted by a female crew telling him to leave.

During a physical confrontation with a security officer, he was pepper-sprayed, then fled. Chased by the security, he ran up Deck 10. To evade security, he jumped over a railing and fell on Lido Deck below. Continuing to run, he grabbed a life ring, jumped overboard and died.

The man’s body was found.

23 November 2011Propulsion / Power Loss

On November 23, 2011, due to the accidental closing of a fuel valve (supplying a diesel generator), the ship lost propulsion. After discovering the problem, propulsion was restored (~13 min later).

30 October 2011Coast Guard Medevacs

On October 30, 2011, while the ship was en-route from homeport Jacksonville to Key West FL, a male passenger was medevaced after complaining of chest and abdominal pains. The ship diverted from its itinerary course and docked in Miami.

The man was disembarked and transported by an ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital, accompanied by his wife.

29 October 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

On October 29, 2011, a female passenger died in the “Imagination Dining Room" restaurant at dinner time. She suffered a probable brain aneurysm (massive bleeding from the mouth and nose).

27 February 2011Structural and Technical Issues

On February 27, 2011, while en route to homeport Jacksonville Florida, the portside propulsion unit malfunctioned.

The failure was of the Azipod motor’s circuit breaker. It tripped, subsequently reducing the motor’s RPM from 103 to 80 rpm on the portside shaft.

The crew fixed the problem after finding a loose flat cable connector.

01 July 2010Propulsion / Power Loss

On July 1, 2010, while on the second leg of a 5-day itinerary roundtrip from homeport Jacksonville Florida, the ship experienced power loss and for several hours was drifting at sea. It arrived in Jacksonville ~3 hours late.

The next 4-day Bahamas cruise embarkation was delayed by ~2,5 hours.

30 June 2010Propulsion / Power Loss

On June 30, 2010, the ship’s cyclo-converter (CCV) failed, causing a blackout and power loss for several hours. The CCV unit converts AC with constant voltage and frequency to a different AC with lower frequency.

May 2010Crew / Passenger Crimes

In May 2010, a 44-year-old female passenger was arrested and charged for a false bomb threat. While the ship was en-route to homeport Jacksonville FL, she called Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and reported about a bomb going to explode upon the vessel’s arrival at JAXPORT cruise terminal.

The case was investigated by USCG, FBI, US Customs & Border Protection and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

(law news) In 2011, she was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison.

04 February 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

On February 4, 2010, while the ship was at sea, a female passenger died from cardiac arrest (death from natural causes).

28 June 2007Coast Guard Medevacs

On June 28, 2007, when the ship was approx 120 mi / 190 km off Key West Florida, a 16-year-old male passenger sustained an injury and was medevaced.

The boy lost his right little finger when tried with his hand to stop a lift door from closing.

23 July 2004Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On July 23, 2004, a male passenger was reported missing after falling overboard. The man was last seen at ~3:30 am and reported missing at ~7 am during the Miami disembarkation.