Crown Iris accidents and incidents

October 2023Other Incidents

MSC Musica's 7-day "Eastern Mediterranean Cruise" (itinerary October 1-8, roundtrip from homeport Piraeus-Athens, Greece) was altered to allow the transfer of ~800 Israeli tourists to another vessel in Limassol (Cyprus) to return them back to Haifa.

MSC Cruises charted from Mano Maritime the ship Crown Iris. On October 10th, both ships berthed in Limassol for the passenger transfer. By October 11th, the Israeli tourists were safely disembarked in Port Haifa, with MSC covering all associated costs.

2020Other Incidents

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic-related travel restrictions worldwide, Mano Cruises cancelled the cruise ship's entire 2020 season (March through December). A total of 32 itineraries (departures from homeport Haifa, Tel Aviv Israel) were cancelled. Operations were planned to restart on March 18, 2021.

22 July 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On July 22, 2019, a 43-year-old male passenger (with serious health problems) was medevaced from Crown Iris by the Cyprus coastguard (Cyprus Port and Marine Police). The man was hoisted/airlifted and flown to Paphos General Hospital (southwestern Cyprus Island, Greece).

The cruise liner radioed an emergency call at ~0:15 am, stating that the Israeli man was critically ill and needed an emergency medical evacuation immediately. A rescue helicopter with medical staff was dispatched to the cruise vessel located approx 75 km (45 mi) west of Port Paphos.

21 October 2016Propulsion / Power Loss

(Thomson Majesty) On October 21, 2016, the ship suffered a blackout (total power loss) in the Mediterranean Sea. The accident occurred en-route from Livorno (Italy) to Bastia (Corsica Island). The lack of electricity resulted in drifting for several hours in the pitch black. After regaining power, the vessel returned back to Livorno.

10 February 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

(Thomson Majesty) On February 10, 2013, 5 male crew were killed and 3 male crew seriously injured in a lifeboat accident. It occurred while the vessel was berthed in homeport Santa Cruz de la Palma (Canary Islands), with a scheduled departure on 7-day roundtrip Tenerife cruise. The ship was carrying a total of 1498 passengers and 594 crew.

On completion of the General Emergency Drill (lifeboat drill/training exercise), 3 starboard lifeboats were to be lowered and sent away for training purposes. At ~11:55, while hoisting lifeboat 9 (loaded with 8 crew), its forward wire rope broke, causing the boat to swivel on its aft hook. When the hook failed, the boat dropped approx 20 m  / 65 ft to the sea, turning upside down. The crew became trapped under the boat.

One crew was thrown out from the boat as it entered the water. Two crew managed to escape from the upturned boat by their own efforts. The remaining 5 crew became trapped under the boat. Their bodies were subsequently removed by local divers.

Of the 5 dead crew, 3 were from Indonesia, 1 from the Philippines, 1 from Ghana. Of the 3 injured crew, 2 were from Greece and 1 from the Philippines.

The subsequently issued investigation report also included significant corrosion on the boat's fall wire rope. The lifeboat's fore and aft davit’s wires were last replaced on in 2010 (August 22), with next scheduled replacement planned for August 2014. Also, the wire rope fitted was not in accordance with the manufacturer‟s recommended specs. The grease used to lubricate it (during periodic maintenance) was also with incorrect specs.

03 March 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Louis Majesty) On March 3, 2010, two male passengers were killed after rogue waves crashed into the vessel navigating in the Mediterranean (off France's coast). Both men (1 German, 1 Italian) died after 26-ft (8 m) high waves smashed the glass windshields in the forward section. Another 14 passengers suffered minor injuries,

The accident occurred near port Marseille. The ship (carrying 1350 passengers plus 580 crew) was en-route from Barcelona to Genoa. The current and next scheduled cruises were cancelled. The liner re-entered service on March 14, after completing drydock repairs in Barcelona.

27 October 2009Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Louis Majesty) On October 27, 2009, a 72-year-old male passenger died from a heart attack during scuba diving excursion in Peppercorn Bermuda. The man collapsed on the boat after completing the dive. Tour staff unsuccessfully tried to revive him.

20 March 2009Structural and Technical Issues

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On March 20, 2009, at ~2:45 pm, while navigating off Jacksonville, Florida's coast, the ship suffered engine problems.

Passengers reported a boom, followed by large chunks of metal matter jettisoned out from the funnel and raining down on the aft outdoor sundeck areas.  Then followed a spray of oily substance and black soot showering the liner's entire stern.

Passengers who were in these areas (decks 8 and 10) at the time of the incident were coated with the oily residue, permanently damaging their clothing. To them, NCL provided complimentary laundry and wine, plus cash compensation for the damaged clothes and belongings.

10 January 2008Structural and Technical Issues

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On January 10, 2008, the ship reported an equipment failure affecting 2 (of all 4) diesel generator sets. The incident was caused by a defective pressure sensor switch transmitting false data. The result was shutting down the booster pumps fueling both generators.

30 December 2007Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Norwegian Majesty) due to engine problems continuing from the previous cruise, the New Years voyage (departure Dec 30) was cancelled. The ship remained docked in homeport Charleston SC for repairs and returned to service on January 6, 2007.

As compensation, all passengers received a full refund plus 50% future NCL cruise booking discount (based on the fares paid).

30 November 2007Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Norwegian Majesty / overboard) On November 30, 2007, a 26-year-old male passenger was medevaced from the ship near Miami FL. The ship was en-route from Key West FL to Charleston SC.

The man was reportedly intoxicated. At ~4 am, he fell some 50 ft / 15 m from Deck 8 to a deck below. Before the medevac, he was treated at the ship's infirmary. He later died at the hospital.

20 June 2007Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Norwegian Majesty / overboard) On June 20, 2007, a 22-year-old male passenger died on the ship after falling 4 decks (from Deck 5 to Deck 1). The incident occurred while the NCL liner was docked in call port St George's (Bermuda).

The man (of USA origin) was reportedly intoxicated after drinking ashore. Two crew nurses discovered him in an unresponsive state. They gave CPR and tended his head wound. The man was then transported by an ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where was pronounced dead.

06 April 2007Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On April 6, 2007, a 13-year-old female passenger was medevaced after falling 5 decks down from an Atrium stairwell. The girl received mild head trauma. She was immediately treated by the ship's medical crew, then disembarked and transported by an ambulance to the hospital.

09 January 2007Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On January 9, 2007, a 60-year-old female passenger died ashore (on Grand Cayman Island) while swimming at the Seven Mile Beach.

15 November 2006Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On November 11, 2006, due to engine problems (broken crankshaft), one of the ship's all 4 diesel engines became inoperational. The accident resulted in reduced propulsion/speed and ~7 hours delayed departure from homeport Charleston SC on the 7-day cruise to St George's Bermuda. The arrival in Bermuda (Nov 15) was delayed by 1 day, and the scheduled port stay was reduced with 5 hours in order to return to homeport on schedule.

As compensation, all passengers received US$100 per cabin in onboard credit plus 15% future NCL cruise booking discount. To all passengers was also organized a complimentary cocktail party.

11 May 2005Ship Collision / Allision

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On May 11, 2005, while manoeuvring for docking in call port St George's (Bermuda), the NCL ship struck 3 yachts. The yachts were already berthed/moored (at Powder Hall anchorage) when the moving cruise vessel hit them, almost sucking one of them under its hull.

No injuries were reported, but one of the propellers (propulsion unit) was damaged in the accident.

23 October 2004Structural and Technical Issues

(MS Norwegian Majesty) On October 23, 2004, due to a severe storm, the ship returned from Bermuda to homeport Boston MA a day late. Reportedly, the vessel had to navigate in up to 10 m / 30 ft waves and strong winds.

During the storm, a piece of the gangway (passenger bridge) broke loose, breaking some windows in the Royal Fireworks lounge (forward on Deck 5). In the incident, a male passenger was injured (from flying glass) and the lounge was flooded with sea water. The deck's entire fore area (including shops) was closed for the remainder of the voyage.