Carnival Miracle accidents and incidents

26 July 2023Coast Guard Medevacs

(CruiseMapper-emailed report from Jennifer)

I am currently sailing on the Carnival Miracle (out of SF) to Alaska. Around 11 pm this evening (July 26th) the Captain made an announcement that we would be meeting up with the Carnival Spirit (out of Seattle) to pick up a passenger and their family that needs more urgent medical attention.

We (Miracle) are headed for Sitka, while Spirit is cruising the Tracy Arm Fjord and would not be in port until the 28th. I don't know the extent of the injury/illness. We were told our arrival in Sitka would be delayed by roughly an hour (original arrival time 10 am) to 11 am.

(second email by Jennifer)

On July 29th, once everyone was back on board from Skagway, we were delayed 2 hours leaving due to a medical emergency. At the 2-hour mark, the Captain came on the ship address system to tell us we would not be offloading the passenger in Skagway but would meet up with the Coast Guard near Juneau (on our way to Tracy Arm Fjord). Around 1 am on July 30th the Coach Guard boat pulled up next to us and the passenger was offloaded and we continued on to our glacier cruise. This is now 3rd medevac on the trip. (We missed the 2nd one, but heard about it from others on board).

The incident occurred during Carnival Miracle's 10-day "Alaska Cruise" (itinerary July 24-August 3, roundtrip from San Francisco, California) visiting Alaska's Sitka (Jul 27, port stay 10 am - 6 pm), Juneau (Jul 28), Skagway (Jul 29), Tracy Arm Fjord (Jul 30) and BC Canada's Prince Rupert (Jul 31).

July 2023Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(CruiseMapper-emailed report from James/received May 9th, 2024)

I know this is a bit late, but I just learned about this website [CruiseMapper.com]

On the cruise from July 24-August 3, 2023. on the Carnival Miracle, there was a Covid-19 outbreak that affected over half of the passengers. I was one of the people affected, and I had to stay in my room for 3 of the 10 days due to full Covid symptoms and a positive test.

In addition to this, I suspect there were bed bugs in the mattresses. Each day we woke up in our cabin there would be no visible bugs, but itchy bumps were observed on the skin.

12 May 2023Coast Guard Medevacs

(CruiseMapper emailed report from Vaun Park)

There was a medavac (reportedly a crew member) from Carnival Miracle on the evening of May 12, 2023. The ship noticeably slowed down. Then the sound of a helicopter was heard from our room and we watched from our balcony the Coast Guard helicopter (somewhere near Los Angeles) aligned with the ship for a smooth landing. There was at least one announcement made in the hallway PA system regarding the incident, but it was hard to hear.

The incident occurred during the 5-day "Baja Mexico Cruise" (itinerary May 11-15, roundtrip from San Francisco, California) visiting Ensenada (May 13th).

11 December 2021Crew / Passenger Deaths

On December 11, 2021, at ~3 am (11 am UTC), a female passenger was reported overboard in the Pacific Ocean, while the ship was navigating close to Baja California Mexico's coast, being en route to Ensenada (approx 35 mi / 55 km off). The young woman (in her 20s) fell off her cabin's balcony and the overboard was captured on CCTV footage. Shortly after, all passengers were notified about the incident.

At ~3:30 am, the cruise liner came to a near-complete stop and the crew lowered a lifeboat into the water. The USCG started a search and rescue operation in coordination with the Mexican Navy. After assisting with the search for a while, the ship was released from the operation and continued to Ensenada. For the operation, the USCG dispatched a cutter boat and a rescue helicopter, but the body was not found.

Carnival Miracle was operating a 3-day roundtrip itinerary from homeport Long Beach (Los Angeles) visiting only Ensenada on Dec 11 (port stay 8 am - 6 pm).

02 February 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On February 2, 2019, a 75-year-old female passenger (experiencing stroke symptoms) was medevaced off the liner. USCG Station St Petersburg (Florida) dispatched a 45-foot Response Boat meeting the vessel at ~7:30 pm. The elderly woman was offloaded and transported to Fort De Soto Park's Fishing Pier, from where was transported by an ambulance to a hospital.

The incident occurred at the beginning of 8-day Panama Canal cruise (itinerary Feb 2-10) roundtrip from homeport Tampa to Costa Rica (Puerto Limon), Panama Canal and Grand Cayman (George Town).

01 December 2018Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On the night of December 1, 2018, a 21-year-old female passenger was allegedly raped by a male crew while the ship was navigating in international waters and back to PortMiami, completing a 7-day Caribbean voyage.

Subsequently, the woman filed a US$10,2 million lawsuit against Carnival Corporation (shipowner) and Carnival Cruise Line on the counts of DIRECT LIABILITY (NEGLIGENT HIRING, SCREENING, SUPERVISING, MONITORING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING; NEGLIGENT PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONS; NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS) and VICARIOUS LIABILITY (INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS OF PASSENGER BY CREWMEMBER; FALSE IMPRISONMENT OF PASSENGER BY CREWMEMBER; SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PASSENGER BY CREW MEMBER).

The Law Office of Daniel W. Courtney filed the demand for a jury trial on November 18, 2019.

The young woman (a Washington resident and first-time cruiser) was traveling with a friend and her friend’s family. On the last night of the voyage, she went up a stairwell where she met the Carnival employee. He lured her into a maintenance/storage closet, locked the door, raped her, ejaculated on her, then unlocked the door and let her leave.

She rushed away towards her cabin, he caught up and asked her to let him inside, which she declined. Once in the cabin, she told her friend/roommate about the incident and started to experience panic attacks and hyperventilation. Then she found Carnival employees and reported the crime.

The woman was placed in a wheelchair and taken to the Infirmary where the med personnel used a rape kit to gather and preserve physical evidence of the sexual assault. She was also given medications against sexually transmitted diseases.

She was also questioned by the ship's security and FBI agents who boarded the ship in Miami. The woman identified the rapist employee (Fredy Anggara) and gave a statement that was video recorded.

27 May 2018Structural and Technical Issues

On May 27, 2018, due to "pre-emptive but necessary maintenance work" the ship had to remain in homeport Tampa FL for 2 days. The liner was scheduled to depart on May 27 but left Tampa at 7 pm on May 28.

The original 7-day Western Caribbean cruise itinerary (May 27 - June 3) included as call ports Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan Island, and Grand Cayman Island. As a result of the accident, the itinerary was revised and Belize and Roatan dropped.

As compensation, Carnival Cruise Line offered 2-day pro-rated fare refunds, plus $200 per cabin onboard credit, free bus shuttles to Tampa Bay and special onboard shows. Passengers were emailed about the itinerary change on May 18 and were given the option to cancel with a full refund or reschedule on another cruise ship without penalty.

29 April 2018Other Incidents

On April 29, 2018, Carnival Cruise Line hosted on the ship (docked in Tampa FL) a “day date” for 100 military couples.

The special event was via a partnership with Operation Homefront (US nonprofit organization headquartered in San Antonio TX and Arlington VA). It included lunch, live comedy show (by Jim Brick and Chase Elstner), Military Appreciation Salute, on-stage group photos.

18 March 2016Crew / Passenger Deaths

On March 18, 2016, a 47-year-old male passenger was found dead in his cabin. The ship was en-route from Cabo San Lucas to Los Angeles, returning from a 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise (itinerary March 12-19). The next day the ship arrived in LA and was boarded by FBI agents. Due to the investigation, passenger disembarkation was delayed by ~1,5 hours.

31 July 2015Coast Guard Medevacs

On July 31, 2015, a 35-year-old female passenger suffering from abdominal pains was medevaced via USCG helicopter dispatched from San Diego CA.

12 September 2014Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On September 12, 2014, a male crew suffered an eye injury while changing the brush on a cleaning machine in the laundry room. The injured man was disembarked to a clinic in Sitka Alaska, then transported by an ambulance to Seattle WA for advanced medical treatment.

18 April 2014Propulsion / Power Loss

On April 18, 2014, a propulsion unit / Azipod thruster issue (affecting the ship’s cruising speed) forced Carnival Cruise Lines to change the Alaskan itinerary. The vessel was slowed from 21 kN to 18 knots (21 mph / 33 kph). The Azipod unit was fixed during the drydock refurbishment in 2015. Carnival provided all passengers canceling their Alaska cruises with a full refund.

The list of affected voyages (itinerary changes) included departures May 6 and May 13 (Skagway replaced Sitka), May 20 through August 26 (Ketchikan was canceled, Victoria and Juneau had extended port stays), September 18 (Hawaii port sequence changes, 1 day stay in Maui), September 10 (port sequence changes).

22 February 2014Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard) On February 22, 2014, a female passenger fell overboard from her cabin’s balcony. The ship turned around, lowered a rescue boat and started a search and rescue operation. The woman was found alive and taken to the ship’s hospital.

January 2014Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

On January 25, 2014, while the ship was on a 6-day Mexican Riviera cruise from Los Angeles (itinerary January 12-18) and en-route to Puerto Vallarta, at least 50 passengers suffered from Norovirus symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).

16 June 2013Coast Guard Medevacs

On June 16, 2013, the ship was on a 7-day Alaskan cruise and just departing from Juneau AK when a female passenger suffered an injury (no data) requiring advanced medical care. The ship requested USCG assistance, and the local Station send a small boat for the medevac.

March 2013Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

On March 16, 2013, passengers reported a Norovirus outbreak on the ship during the previous voyage. The ship left NYC to the Caribbean, and the illness affected at least 2% of all passengers and crew. All sick were quarantined in their cabins. Strangely, no CDC report was issued on the incident.

The Miracle was one of the last cruise ships that stopped at the illness source – Grand Turk before this call port was canceled in all itineraries March 26 through April 4, 2013. The next departure from NYC (March 16)  was delayed by ~3 hours for extensive shipboard sanitation procedures.

26 February 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

On February 26, 2013, an 18-year-old male passenger died in his cabin from alcohol poisoning (unofficial information).

21 February 2013Other Incidents

On February 21, 2013, the Port Canaveral departure was delayed because of a bomb threat emailed to the port authorities. The cruise port terminal was temporarily closed after the bomb threat was received at ~5 pm. A safety zone was established and the whole traffic was stopped.

The ship was not allowed to board passengers or crew due to the vessel’s proximity (approx 1 mi / 2 km) to the Victory Casino Cruises boat (mentioned in the mail as the bomb carrier). After conducting multiple searches and not founding any explosive devices, authorities re-opened the cruise port and the ship was cleared for embarkation.

11 June 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

On June 11, 2011, a male passenger died from natural causes.

15 March 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On March 15, 2011, a 47-year-old male crew (of Filipino origin) was reported missing and presumed fell overboard. The accident occurred when the ship was in Southern Caribbean waters between Curacao and Aruba. The conducted search didn’t find the body.

28 January 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 28, 2011, while the ship was en-route to homeport Fort Lauderdale from Curacao, a male passenger was found by his wife lying unconscious in their stateroom’s bathroom. For ~20 min medical staff performed CPR, with no response. The dead passenger had a previous medical condition (HTN-hypertension and Diabetes) and was on medications.

20 January 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 20, 2011, a male passenger with pre-existing medical problems died. Death case was filed as “unknown, possible cardiac”.

18 January 2011Structural and Technical Issues

On January 18, 2011, during the ship's annual life-saving equipment inspection, one of the passenger tender boats (number 3) malfunctioned. Its both wire ropes (located fore and aft) were replaced.

04 February 2010Structural and Technical Issues

On February 4, 2010, while berthed in Port Limon (Costa Rica), one of the ship’s passenger tender boats (number 6) malfunctioned (winch brake failed). Repairs were made while the ship was moored in Belize City.

28 January 2010Ship Collision / Allision

(pier collision) On January 28, 2010, at ~11 am, upon berthing in Port Zante (Basseterre, St Kitts), a sudden gust of wind pushed the vessel starboard against the pier. The ship hit one of the pier's dolphins and a fender. Passengers disembarkation was done at Port Zante (in the center of Basseterre bay). As the ship sustained hull damages, a Puerto Rican team of welders started patching works so the vessel to be allowed to depart from St Kitts on the next day (Jan 29) back to homeport Port Everglades Florida. Port Zante terminal facility was also damaged.

Note: This type of marine accidents is called “allision” (striking a fixed object) as opposed to “collision” (striking another vessel).

19 January 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 19, 2010, after visiting the onboard infirmary, a male passenger went to its cabin and died in bed. His spouse tried CPR, then called the medical staff, but all efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Investigation showed that death was the result of medical problems previous to boarding the ship.

10 January 2010Structural and Technical Issues

On January 10, 2010, while berthed in St Marteen, one of the ship’s passenger tender boats (number 1) malfunctioned (the winch brake failed).

07 January 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 7, 2010, the ship was en-route to St Marteen when a male passenger seating at Maguire’s Bar suddenly collapsed and died. Medical staff was unsuccessful in reviving him. The man had been previously on medication, suffering from cardiac arrhythmia (Supraventricular Tachycardia).

23 December 2008Propulsion / Power Loss

On December 23, 2008, while on an 8-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Dec 15-23) from homeport Fort Lauderdale, the ship experienced propulsion issues (Azipod bearing). The incident resulted in reduced cruising speed and caused itinerary changes. Costa Rica and Panama ports were dropped and replaced with Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel) and Honduras (Roatan Island). The propulsion was fixed during the Feb-Mar 2009 drydock. Because of this unscheduled drydock, 3 cruises were canceled (departures Feb 25, Mar 5 and 13).

07 July 2008Propulsion / Power Loss

On July 7, 2008, the ship was running at lower cruising speed (up to 18 kN / 21 mph / 33 kph) due to propulsion system malfunction. On the current itinerary, call port Tortola (BVI) was dropped and replaced with Grand Turk. The itinerary change remained until the drydock repairs in early 2009.

31 July 2004Other Incidents

On July 31, 2004, while the ship was en-route to homeport NYC New York, at 4 am (~5 hours before docking), an announcement via the PA system said “This is the Captain speaking. All crew members abandon ship”. A few minutes later, via the PA system, a female crew said that the previous message was a mistake. Later, the Captain apologized explaining that some teenagers made a prank accessing the PA system.