Celebrity Equinox accidents and incidents

March 2023Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In March 2023, CDC reported that on the voyage March 9-18, a Norovirus outbreak affected a total of 122 passengers (out of 2579, or 4,7%) and 14 crew (out of 1222, or 1,1%).

The predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The ship was on a 9-day Southern Caribbean "Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao Cruise" roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades (Florida USA) with call ports in Grand Cayman (George Town Harbour) and the Dutch Antilles/ABC islands - Aruba (Oranjestad), Curacao (Willemstad) and Bonaire (Kralendijk).

25 September 2019Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On September 25, 2019, while the liner was at sea (in international waters) and en-route from Florida to the USVI, a male crew raped a fellow female crew.

The following FBI investigation revealed that on the night of Sept 25th, the man (Louie Ison Mangampat, from the Philippines) gathered with colleagues in a crew cabin. He entered the cabin's bathroom (while the woman was inside), locked the door and against her will (and resistance) started groping her, then he performed oral sex and finally raped her. When the victim broke away, she ran to her cabin from where her roommate called the ship's security. After observing her at the Infirmary, the doctor reported internal injuries and blood.

On Sept 26th, the man (employed on the ship as sushi cook) was arrested by the USVI police in St Thomas and charged with sexual assault. The indictment (aggravated sexual abuse by force) was announced on November 7.

The incident occurred during 11-day Ultimate Southern Caribbean cruise (itinerary Sept 23 - Oct 4) roundtrip from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) to the islands St Thomas, St Croix, Antiqua, Barbados, St Lucia and St Maarten.

03 January 2018Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On January 3, 2018, a tour boat with 10 cruise ship passengers (from Celebrity Equinox and Navigator Of The Seas) sank ~15 min after its departure from Cozumel Mexico. Passengers were instructed by the crew to head to the bow. As the boat quickly took on water, all of them jumped into the sea. They were soon rescued by other boats, No injuries were reported.

The ship was on 7-day Western Caribbean "New Year Cruise" (itinerary Dec 30-Jan 6) roundtrip from Miami to Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman.

19 December 2017Crew / Passenger Deaths

On December 19, 2017, a total of 14 cruise ship tourists were killed in a bus crash accident near Mayan ruins (Yucatan Mexico). Of all the 27 passengers (from the Equinox ship, but also from Serenade Of The Seas), 15 died (including the Mexican tour guide) and 18 were injured (3 seriously, 13 hospitalized).

The tour company (Costa Maya Mahahual) operated the excursion from call port Costa Maya (approx 160 km / 100 km south of Playa del Carmen). The bus (Mercedes Benz) ran off the road and flipped over on the highway while en-route from Costa Maya to Chacchoben Ruins (approx 110 ml / 170 km south of Tulum).

The crash was due to the negligence of the bus driver and exceeded the speed limit. None of the passengers was using seat belts. During the accident, the Equinox ship was on 7-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Dec 16-23) roundtrip from Miami to Key West FL, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman.

2016Other Incidents

(itinerary changes) For the whole 2016, Celebrity Cruises canceled the Equinox ship’s visits (overnights) to call port Istanbul Turkey. The changes were due to the Salipazari Port (Galataport) construction project. The development of Istanbul’s cruise port Galataport was completed in 2018.

February 2015Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In February 2015, CDC reported on the voyage Feb 13 to 23, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 142 passengers (out of 2896, or 4,9%) and 8 crew (out of 1209, or 0,7%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The ship was on 10-day Eastern Caribbean roundtrip from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida to St Thomas, St Kitts, Barbados, Dominica, St Maarten.

16 July 2012Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On July 16, 2012, a 27-year-old female passenger was sexually assaulted by a 27-year-old male crew. The woman (of British origin) was traveling with her parents. The ship was 11-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise to Greece and Turkey roundtrip from homeport Southampton England.

The incident occurred soon after the vessel left call port Civitavecchia-Rome Italy) and was en-route to Messina (Sicily, Italy). The victim said they met in a bar, spent several hours drinking together, then he followed her back to her stateroom and raped her. This was confirmed by the CCTV footage. The crew (working on the ship as entertainment performer) was arrested in Messina.

28 March 2012Crew / Passenger Deaths

On March 28, 2012, a 49-year-old female passenger was reported missing on a Celebrity Cruises sponsored shore excursion in Cozumel Mexico. The woman (Christina Cassin, from Acworth GA, USA), together with her husband (Scott Turco) was on a Santa Rosa reef diving excursion.

They were ~10 min into the diving when she decided to surface. Her husband turned to inform the dive guide next to him, and when he turned back, she was disappeared. The investigation suggested she might have been pulled in the strong downward current along the wall.

26 September 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On September 26, 2011, at ~8 am, a 24-year-old male passenger jumped overboard in the sea from deck 11. The man (of US origin) died after hitting a lifeboat on the way down. The ship was in the Mediterranean Sea, en-route to call port Kusadasi Turkey. Reportedly, the man was sleepwalking when he fell overboard.

12 September 2011Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual / law news) On September 12, 2011, a lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises was filed by a female crew. The woman (of South African origin) worked on the ship until Feb 2011 as perfume sales assistant (concessionaire employed by Harding Retail, a UK company).

She was sexually assaulted during a Mediterranean cruise in October 2010. In the early hours, she left the crew lounge, fell asleep and awoke when a male crew was raping her. The incident was reported to her supervisors. The assailant crew was fired but not arrested.

July 2009Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

On July 17, 2009, Dutch news media reported over 2100 people (passengers and crew) were vaccinated against measles disease. The incident occurred when the ship was docked in call port Eemshaven (Groningen, Holland). Two crew were earlier diagnosed with measles. All the 20 crew who were in contact with the sick were disembarked and quarantined in a hotel in Delfzijl (Groningen).