Carnival Sensation accidents and incidents

17 October 2020Boat Rescue

On October 17, 2020, while at its anchorage off Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) the ship responded to a distress call by a small boat with 24 people. The boat was in international waters approx 37 mi (60 km) off Palm Beach (Florida).

Upon seeing the boat, the cruise liner lowered a rescue boat which provided life jackets, blankets, food and water. The boat's passengers were from several nationalities and included two children. As the boat started to take on water, the Carnival crew rescued all the 24 passengers, brought them onboard and after being evaluated by the ship's med team all were quarantined to prevent contact with the crew.

To the scene was dispatched a USCG cutter vessel to retrieve the rescued.

04 October 2019Structural and Technical Issues

On October 4, 2019, the liner's departure from Key West FL (scheduled for 1:30 pm) was delayed with ~4 hours due to "technical issue".

The incident occurred at the beginning of 4-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Oct 3-7) roundtrip from homeport Miami to Key West (port stay 7:30 am - 1:30 pm) and Cozumel (Mexico).

10 February 2019Fire Accident

On February 10, 2019, was unofficially reported a fire accident on the liner while en-route back to PortMiami from Mexico. Reportedly, the fire started at ~3 am and aft on Upper Deck (deck 6). According to Captain's announcement (via ship's PA system), the fire started in a passenger stateroom and was soon extinguished, without injuries.

The accident occurred at the end of 4-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Feb 7-11) roundtrip from homeport Miami to Key West (Florida) and Cozumel Mexico (Feb 9).

A CNN producer (Amanda Jackson) on the ship took some photos and posted them on Twitter. The photos showed passengers in the hallway wearing life vests and crew in fire gear. Reportedly, most of the Upper Deck smelled of smoke. Fans were used to blow the thick smoke away. Woman's Twitter message also mentioned a crew medevac (on Feb 9), while the liner was en-route from Key West to Mexico. The emergency required the vessel to return back to Key West to offload the crew.

Carnival Cruise Line's official response was "There was no fire onboard. Smoke was coming from a housekeeping storage area on Deck 6, but when first responders arrived, they confirmed there was no fire.

28 February 2018Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On February 28, 2018, three cruise passengers (all US citizens) were reported missing as they didn't board back the ship docked in call port Ocho Rios (Jamaica). The missing passengers were identified as Glen Triston (35-year-old male from NY), Tricia Tahecia Forrester (24-year-old female from NY) and Clinton Hill (42-year-old male from NC).

Reportedly, they disembarked the ship at ~11:30 am (Feb 28) with baggage containing items for family members in Jamaica. They were discovered missing during the 5:30 pm boarding checks. The local police launched a massive search for the missing US nationals. They were found alive and well on March 3, 2018.

The liner was on 5-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Feb 26 - March 3) roundtrip from homeport Miami Florida to Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island.

30 April 2017Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 30, 2017, the ship left homeport Miami on April 29 but had to return back to port as a passenger became sick and needed emergency hospital treatment. The ship was approx 90 ml (145 km) southeast of Miami FL. The USCG was notified and it called Miami-Dade Fire Rescue as the ship started to return.

However, rough sea conditions prevented the ship to return to PortMiami, so at Government Cut, it was met by the rescue crew. The passenger (of Chilean origin) and his 2 family members were offloaded on a boat and transported to PortMiami, from where were transported by an ambulance to a hospital. Due to the incident, call port George Town (Grand Cayman Island) was dropped from the itinerary.

20 October 2015Crew / Passenger Deaths

On October 20, 2015, a 43–year-old male passenger died ashore in Nassau Bahamas. The man (Rong Gu, from New Market, Ontario Canada) was run over and dragged by a garbage truck which brakes failed. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The heavy truck was entering a roundabout and its driver intentionally swerved to avoid traffic. The victim was hit on the sidewalk.

The accident occurred while the ship was docked in port Nassau, on a 4-day Bahamas cruise (itinerary Oct 18-22) from Port Canaveral, also visiting Freeport.

06 February 2014Sea Pollution

On February 6, 2014, the US Environmental Office informed Port Canaveral authorities in regards to ~1 gallon (~4 liters) of vegetable oil discharged into the harbor waters. The incident happened during loading the oil onto the ship, when a forklift punctured the case, causing the product to be spilled into the water. The ship provided absorbent material to collect as much as possible of the polluting product.

22 August 2012Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On August 22, 2012, a 31-year-old male passenger was arrested on a federal sex charge. He was reported as a participant (together with four under 18-year-old passengers) in a gang rape of a 15-year-old female passenger. The cruise departed from homeport Port Canaveral Florida on August 16.

The adult man (Casey Dickerson) invited the victim in his cabin, along with her 15-year-old girlfriend and the four teenage boys. He supplied the party with alcohol, then the males took turns assaulting the victim. During the crime, the other girl was locked in the cabin’s bathroom.

(law news) On April 8, 2013, the adult man was found guilty and sentenced 20 years in jail.

22 May 2012Fire Accident

On May 22, 2012, USCG reported the ship experienced a fire incident (unspecified).

09 February 2012Structural and Technical Issues

On February 9, 2012, while the ship was docked in homeport Cape Canaveral (Port Canaveral FL), 10 to 20 cruise cabins were flooded, resulting in ~5 hours late departure. The incident was caused by a broken water pipe from the swimming pool. The ship was on a 3-day Nassau cruise from Port Canaveral.

06 May 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

On May 6, 2011, a 27-year-old female passenger died and a man was seriously injured in a jet ski crash incident in Nassau Bahamas. Both jet skis were rented independently.

09 October 2010Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard) On October 9, 2010, while the ship was docked in Nassau Bahamas (terminal 27), two male US passengers jumped overboard (into the water from deck 9). Both were recovered sustaining minor injuries and evaluated by the infirmary's medical staff. They were sent to a local hospital and discharged from the ship after admitting alcohol drinking prior to the jump.

28 March 2010Other Incidents

On March 28, 2010, a false bomb threat was reported at ~4 am. The ship was detained approx 4 ml / 7 km off homeport Port Canaveral. USCG team and FBI agents boarded the vessel and conducted security search and assessment. No evidence of explosives or anything criminal was found.

02 September 2009Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard) On September 2, 2009, a 34-year-old male passenger jumped overboard but was rescued by the nearby passing cruise ship Disney Wonder. The emergency was issued by the Carnival ship at ~11:30 pm, asking for help in locating a missing passenger. The Disney ship found the man at ~12:40 noon, approx 32 ml / 51 km off the coast of Port St Lucie Florida. Both vessels were on Bahamas roundtrip itineraries from Port Canaveral.

Investigation on the incident showed the jumped man was heard by another passenger arguing with a woman when he threatened to jump and she provoked him saying go ahead. Soon after he jumped, they heard him screaming for help. In the rescue operation were also involved USCG assets (1 helicopter and 2 boats).

01 January 2009Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard) On January 1, 2009, a 26-year-old male crew (working on the ship as a musician) fell overboard but was rescued. The incident occurred at ~12:50 noon when he performed on the ship’s top deck. He was off duty, and 6 other crew saw him falling 80 ft (25 m) into the water after trying to take a picture. The other crew threw him a life belt. The ship and USCG helicopter conducted a rescue operation. The Port Canaveral docking and disembarkation was delayed by ~2 hours.

29 March 2007Other Incidents

On March 29, 2007, an anonymous bomb threat call was received by USCG while the ship was docked in homeport Cape Canaveral FL. All crew and passengers were evacuated and an ~2 hours ship search was conducted. The threat was determined false (hoax).

02 April 2006Propulsion / Power Loss

On April 2, 2006, due to propulsion problems, the ship changed itinerary - dropped Grand Turk Island and replaced it with Freeport Bahamas. Same changes also applied to the next scheduled itinerary.

23 March 2006Structural and Technical Issues

On March 23, 2006, the ship was detained at homeport Port Canaveral. The USCG inspection found several fire-safety system deficiencies, including fire screen, watertight doors, station valves (hydrants). After all of the problems were fixed, the ship was cleared for departure (~6 hours late).

18 May 2004Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On May 18, 2004, four male crew fell during a lifeboat drill conducted in Cozumel Mexico. The incident was caused by a failed winch. The crew sustained injuries (fractured legs, hips, spine injury) when the boat fell from approx 100 ft / 30 m into the water. Individual lawsuits were filed in Miami on May 25.

14 January 2001Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On January 14, 2001, a 19-year-old male passenger fell overboard while the ship was docked in Tampa FL. The young man was arguing with his girlfriend, then climbed over a railing and threatened to jump. After she pleaded with him, he complied but unfortunately slipped and fell into the waters, killing himself.