Carnival Horizon accidents and incidents

26 June 2023Coast Guard Medevacs

(CruiseMapper-emailed report from J.D.)

Monday 6/26/23 Medivac passenger off due to stroke. We detoured off route to the coast of Jamaica to medivac a passenger off. The passenger was an older male, I saw him on the gurney being transported for a medevac via helicopter. I would appreciate the info being anonymous if possible.

Note: According to the satellite AIS data/tracker, the ship was en route from Florida to Aruba, and the course was altered toward eastern Jamaica (Port Antonio).

The incident occurred during the 8-day "Southern Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary June 24 - July 2, roundtrip from Miami) visiting the Netherlands Antilles (Oranjestad Aruba/Jun 27, Kralendijk Bonaire/Jun 28) and Dominicana (La Romana/Jun 29, Amber Cove/Jun 30).

16 March 2022Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On March 16, 2022, a male passenger jumped overboard (from Panorama Deck/deck 11) soon after the ship departed from Cockburn Town (Grand Turk Island, Turks & Caicos). The man, traveling with his wife, went overboard at ~7 pm local time (~13:00 UTC).

The cruise liner launched two lifeboats and, together with the USCG, conducted a search and rescue operation. The body was soon located and recovered.

The incident occurred during a 6-day "Western Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary March 13-19, roundtrip from PortMiami, Florida USA) with call ports Amber Cove (Dominicana/Mar 15), Cockburn Town (Grand Turk/Mar 16, port stay 8 am - 5 pm), and Cozumel (Mexico/Mar 17).

December 2021Propulsion / Power Loss

On November 30, 2021, CCL canceled two upcoming December departures due to technical/propulsion issues that affected the liner's max speed. The canceled voyages (both departing roundtrip from PortMiami) were scheduled for Dec 15th (6-night Western Caribbean) and Dec 11 (8-night Southern Caribbean).

To fix the issues, the vessel was planned to enter drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport Bahamas) and resume operations on Dec 19. However, on Dec 3rd was announced that fixing the propulsion issues is urgent and will take more time than anticipated. Carnival Horizon was set for drydocking at Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard (Sicily Italy/Dec 22 - Jan 8) and all voyages thru January 22, 2022 (excluding) were canceled.

All affected bookings were fully refunded, and additionally received as compensation a 100% FCC (future cruise credit) based on the fare paid.

Carnival Horizon's schedule was allocated to the Miami-based fleetmates Carnival Liberty and Carnival Sunshine.

After canceling a total of 8x departures from Miami, Horizon's itinerary program continued as planned from Jan 22, 2022 (8-day Southern Caribbean).

15 November 2019Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On November 15, 2019, while the liner was in international waters and en-route from Mexico back to Florida, a male passenger died after falling from his cabin's balcony on Deck 9 (Vista) down to Deck 5 (Promenade). After berthing in PortMiami, the ship was boarded by police officers for an investigation.

The incident occurred at the end of 6-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Nov 10-16) roundtrip from homeport Miami to Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Grand Cayman Island (George Town) and Mexico (Cozumel).

01 November 2019Fire Accident

(CruiseMapper emailed incident report by Daniel Davis) On November 1, 2019, at ~9 pm the liner experienced an incinerator room fire accident.

No injuries or itinerary changes were reported. The accident allegedly occurred while the ship was en-route from Mexico back to the USA, at the end of the 6-da Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary October 27 - November 2) roundtrip from homeport Miami and visiting Jamaica (Montego Bay), Grand Cayman Island (George Town) and Mexico (Cozumel).

07 June 2019Boat Rescue

On June 7, 2019, the liner rescued seven Haitian fishermen on a small disabled boat stuck at sea for two days. The ship was en-route back to Miami from Aruba Island. The seven fishermen were were given water, food and medical treatment onboard and were handed over to the US authorities in PortMiami.

The incident occurred at the end of 8-day Southern Caribbean cruise (itinerary June 1-9) roundtrip from homeport Miami Florida to Grand Turk Island, La Romana (Dominican Republic), Willemstad (Curacao) and Oranjestad (Aruba).

28 August 2018Ship Collision / Allision

On August 28, 2018, in the morning, while maneuvering for berthing at Berth 2 of Pier 88 (Manhattan, NYC), the ship collided with Pier 90.

The accident resulted in minor bow hull damage. However, Pier 90's damages were significant and included two metal support beams, a small roofed parking section, damaged walkway. Passengers' debarkation-embarkation were not affected. USCG started an investigation of the incident. NYC’s Department of Buildings conducted a structural inspection of Pier 90.

The cased by the collision damages of Pier 90 totaled ~USD 2,5 million. The cause of the accident was the ineffective communication between the ship's Captain and the assisting Pilot (both directly responsible for the berthing maneuvers) and the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse). Also, the ship's Third Officer was in a location with no view of the bow. While the Pilot was commanding the bow Azipod thruster (propulsion unit) and giving orders to the assisting tugboat, the Captain was using the stern thrusters to bring the vessel closer to Pier 90. However, the Captain didn't verbalize his actions to either the Pilot or the Wheelhouse.

The accident occurred at the end of 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise (itinerary Aug 20-28) roundtrip from homeport New York City to Grand Turk, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Amber Cove (Dominican Republic).

Note: Actually, this type of marine accident is called “allision”  (striking a fixed object) as opposed to “collision” (striking another vessel).

13 August 2018Propulsion / Power Loss

On August 13, 2018, due to a mechanical issue (unspecified), the liner had to change the planned itinerary by skipping a call port (Amber Cove, Dominican Republic). In a note issued to each passenger, the Captain mentioned that the issue limited vessel's ability to safely maneuver for docking, and also its max speed.

As compensation, all passengers received USD 50 in onboard credit per person. All pre-purchased shore excursions and tours in Amber Cove were fully refunded.

The incident occurred during 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise (itinerary Aug 8-16) roundtrip from New York City to the Caribbean - visiting Grand Turk Island, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Amber Cove (canceled). Amber Cove was dropped due to the port's narrow channel and lack of tugboat support (to berth).

11 August 2018Crew / Passenger Deaths

On August 11, 2018, a male crew in his 30s died on the ship. The man (Ravi Singh Bisht, from India) was working for Carnival since 2012 in company's Culinary Arts (cooking workshop) department. Reportedly, his death was related to a party held on Aug 10 in the galley (ship kitchen). The man was found dead in his cabin while the ship was docked in Grand Turk (7 am - 2 pm, on Aug 11).

The incident occurred during 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise (itinerary Aug 8-16) roundtrip from homeport NYC to Grand Turk, Puerto Rico (San Juan) and Dominican Republic (Amber Cove).

23 July 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On July 23, 2018, a 66-year-old female passenger (suffering a stroke) was medevaced from the ship approx 80 ml (130 km) from Atlantic City (New Jersey). USCG air station Atlantic City dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew. The woman and a crew nurse were hoisted at ~1 am and flew to Atlantic City NJ.

The incident occurred at the end of 4-day Bermuda cruise (itinerary July 19-23) roundtrip from homeport NYC to Kings Wharf.

07 June 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On June 7, 2018, a 33-year-old female passenger (suffering from appendicitis symptoms) was medevaced from the ship approx 160 km (100 ml) east of Cape Hatteras (islands in North Carolina). The USCG dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Elizabeth City NC. The woman and a crew nurse were hoisted and transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (Norfolk VA). The cruise liner had to divert its course to expedite the response time.

The incident occurred on an 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise (itinerary June 5-13) roundtrip from NYC to Grand Turk, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Amber Cove (Dominican Republic).

14 March 2018Sea Pollution

On March 14, 2018, the vessel entered drydock at Monfalcone shipyard for repainting (full hull coating) and final touches. The liner was previously painted at Fincantieri' Marghera shipyard (Venezia Porto Marghera) but soon was discovered that the paint is peeling.

During the Marghera painting, the yard's surrounding basin was polluted by paint particles. After discovering the issue, paint works were suspended and port's Harbor Office arranged absorbing panels to be placed around the vessel to prevent further water contamination.

The cruise ship was originally scheduled to enter drydock in Navantia Shipyard (Cadiz Spain) before the maiden voyage from Barcelona (scheduled for April 2, 2018).