Enchantment Of The Seas accidents and incidents

03 October 2023Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On October 3, 2023, while disembarking the ship in Salerno (Italy), an 8-year-old boy slipped at the dock and fell into the water between the concrete structure and the ship.

Reportedly, just before the incident, the kid was holding his father's hand, then he broke away and slipped while sprinting along the pier. His father immediately dived into the water but failed to help his son as the gap was too narrow for him.

Luckily, the port's security personnel and the ship's crew reacted swiftly. They threw a rope to the man and a lifebuoy to the kid, and both were safely pulled out of the water and without injuries. The mother experienced a shock after witnessing the whole incident.

The incident occurred during the 7-day voyage from Rome to Piraeus (itinerary October 2-9, from Civitavecchia to Piraeus) with call ports Salerno (Oct 3, port stay 7 am - 6 pm), Messina Sicily (Oct 4), Santorini Greece (Oct 6), Kusadasi Turkey (Oct 7), and Mykonos Greece (Oct 8).

March 2023Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In March 2023, CDC reported that on the voyage from March 11 to 23, an epidemic Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected a total of 155 passengers (out of 2148, or 7,22%) and 10 crew (out of 880, or 1,14%). Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The outbreak occurred during a 12-day Southern Caribbean Cruise (roundtrip from homeport Baltimore, Maryland USA) with call ports in St Croix USVI (Frederiksted), St Maarten (Philipsburg), Antigua (St John's), Barbados (Bridgetown) and St Kitts (Port Zante/Basseterre).

March 2023Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In March 2023, CDC reported that on the voyage from March 23 to 31, a Norovirus outbreak infected a total of 117 passengers (out of 2362, or 5%) and 20 crew (out of 917, or 2,18%). Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The outbreak occurred during an 8-day "Southeast Coast and Bahamas Cruise" (roundtrip from homeport Baltimore, Maryland USA) with call ports in Florida (Port Canaveral) and The Bahamas (Coco Cay, and Nassau).

23 August 2019Propulsion / Power Loss

Due to propulsion issues (one of the Azipods) affecting liner's max cruising speed, an August itinerary (departure Aug 23) was changed by replacing Costa Maya with Progreso. In Progreso (Yucatan Mexico) were provided additional port stay hours. The other call port (Cozumel) remained but with altered arrival/departure times. All pre-booked Costa Maya shore excursions were fully refunded or rescheduled for any other RCI excursions.

The 5-day Western Caribbean itinerary (Aug 23-28, roundtrip from homeport Galveston) had planned visits to Costa Maya (Aug 25 / 12-noon - 7 pm) and Cozumel (Aug 26 / 7 am - 5 pm). The revised itinerary visited Progreso (Aug 25 / 6 am - 3 pm) and Cozumel (Aug 26 / 8:30 am - 4 pm).

08 September 2017Other Incidents

On September 8, 2017, cruise itinerary Sept 8-11 (the 3-day Bahamas from Miami, call ports Coco Cay and Nassau) was cancelled due to hurricane Irma. All cancelled bookings received 100% future RCI cruise credit. All booked shore excursions were fully refunded. Next scheduled cruise (itinerary Sept 11-15, 4-day Florida Bahamas from Miami to Nassau, Coco Cay and Key West) was also cancelled as PortMiami remained closed to all shipping traffic.

29 April 2015Other Incidents

On April 29, 2015, three cruise vessels – the Enchantment ship, the fleet mate Quantum of the Seas and the NCL ship Norwegian Gem assisted in a rescue operation searching for a yachtsman who fell overboard from his boat. Soon a USCG helicopter arrived in the area, and ~1 hour later the man was found and rescued.

24 March 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

On March 24, 2013, a 62-year-old female passenger died from heart disease. She was found dead by her husband in their cabin on deck 7. The ship was on a Baltimore roundtrip itinerary (arriving at homeport March 25). Ship officers contacted the FBI and the Baltimore police following a standard procedure. The autopsy report showed death from natural causes.

23 March 2012Propulsion / Power Loss

On March 23, 2012, while on a Bahamas cruise out of Baltimore MD, the ship experienced propulsion problems with its stabilizers. The incident caused itinerary changes, with an extended port stay in Port Canaveral FL, where the units were fixed. The port of call Coco Cay was shared with another RCCL ship. The Key West port docking was late, and last only for 7 hours. As compensation, some CocoCay excursion were refunded.

19 February 2012Propulsion / Power Loss

On February 19, 2012, propulsion problems caused the ship to leave homeport Baltimore almost 24 hours late. A curious fact is that even forbidden by law (while in USA waters), the onboard casino remained open for passengers to learn gambling lessons. The ship started the Bahamas voyage at 1/2 of the cruising speed. The incident caused itinerary changes (skipping Key West FL).

12 January 2012Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On January 12, 2012, a 25-year-old crew was arrested on charges for sexual assault of a minor. The man (working as a bartender on the ship) had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl on the Baltimore cruise to Bahamas (Dec 17 departure). The bartender served the teenager and her family during the voyage.

On December 23, the assaulted girl was alone on the pool deck when encountered the bartender. He took her into a men’s changing room and raped her. CCTV camera records confirmed the victim’s account. Later, the man admitted his crime and on Jan 11 was indicted on a count of sex abuse of a minor.

18 October 2011Drug Smuggling

On October 18, 2011, a 37-year-old male passenger was arrested and fined in Bermuda USD 1000 after he admitted drug import (cannabis) into Bermuda. The ship was searched by local police using a sniffer dog. They found in his cabin’s personal safe. The man was in the stateroom and admitted the drugs belonged to him.

27 July 2011Structural and Technical Issues

On July 27, 2011, while transiting Chesapeake Bay (USA) and en-route back to homeport Baltimore MD, the liner experienced a navigation/steering problem with its portside rudder. The incident was caused by a malfunction of one of the steering gear’s pumps (number 4). Investigation showed the pump’s control panel was dismounted from the bulkhead. The failure was due to loose electrical connections after the panel fell and hit the floor.

During the incident, the ship operated its rudders with all 4 pumps. The issue didn’t cause steering loss, so the vessel completed the transit safely. Repairs were done by the crew en-route.

26 July 2011Drug Smuggling

On July 26, 2011, a 42-year-old male passenger was fined in Bermuda USD 1000 after customs staff discovered drugs (cannabis) in his cabin. The man pleaded guilty for importing drugs. The incident happened during a routine shipboard search using a sniffer dog. They found 9 gr of cannabis.

11 January 2011Drug Smuggling

On January 11, 2011, 3 male crew were arrested in Baltimore MD and charged for drug smuggling of cocaine (700 gr) and heroin (300 gr). Officers using a sniffer dog found in a locker in a crew-access the only facility on the ship drugs with a total worth USD 94,000. The ship was back from a 12-night Caribbean itinerary from Baltimore, with call ports Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, BVI. The three crewmen were working in the ship’s kitchen.

23 March 2010Propulsion / Power Loss

On March 23, 2010, upon its departure from Cartagena Colombia, the ship experienced propulsion problems caused by malfunction of 3 of all 4 diesel engines. When the power load was reduced on the propulsion system, engines 2 and 3 shot down, forcing engine 4 to start increasing its load to compensate the power loss, which caused its overload and shut down.

30 September 2009Ship Collision / Allision

On September 30, 2009, two cruise ships experienced a collision incident, both suffering minor damages. Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Legend was just untied (mooring lines released) from its berth in Cozumel, Mexico when was caught by strong winds and pushed against the side the docked Enchantment ship.

The Carnival ship sustained minor damages to some of its open-deck areas. The RCI ship suffered damage to its stern and to some railings. No injuries were reported on both cruise vessels, and they continued with the respective itineraries. The incident happened at ~6:15 pm. The Enchantment was on the 5-night Caribbean itinerary from Fort Lauderdale FL. The Carnival ship was 7-night Caribbean itinerary from Tampa FL.

11 June 2009Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

On June 11, 2009, Belize port disembarkation was delayed by 4 hours due to the swine flu illness incident. Six crew were tested H1N1 positive and quarantined on the ship. Passengers were not allowed to disembark until a local health team checked the whole ship out.

December 2007Propulsion / Power Loss

On several December 2007 cruises, passengers were complaining about the ship sailing at reduced speeds, causing itinerary changes.

11 November 2007Propulsion / Power Loss

On November 11, 2007, the ship experienced a power loss incident and had to be assisted by a tugboat to enter and dock in homeport Port Everglades. Next departure to Western Caribbean (4-night cruise to Key West and Cozumel Mexico) was delayed and the itinerary was changed (Key West skipped). Also, most cruise cabins with a mid-ship location were without air-conditioning.

Reports said the vessel was operating with half propulsion. As compensation, all passengers received US$200 onboard credit, plus a 25% discount on a future Royal Caribbean cruise. Curiously, of all 2300 pax, ~2000 were first-time RCI customers.

20 August 2007Fire Accident

On August 20, 2007, the cruise liner reported a small fire in a passenger stateroom. The affected cabin (#4544) was an oceanview room located forward-starboard on Deck 4. The fire caused only minor damages and was quickly extinguished (in ~6 min).

The following investigation showed that the lifejackets (which are always stored in staterooms' closets) were causing fires due to faulty lights. A second fire incident was reported on August 22, during a lifeboat drill, and affected boat 17.

The lights for both the lifejackets and the lifeboats were supplied by the Chinese company Danyang Jiuxing Marine Equipment. During the check on the lights was discovered that they have a life span of only 3-5 years.

17 December 2006Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On December 17, 2006, an elderly male passenger went overboard. He was pulled out of the sea and pronounced dead. The ship was en-route from Cozumel Mexico toward homeport Fort Lauderdale Florida.

31 October 2006Ship Collision / Allision

On October 31, 2006, strong winds caused the cruise vessel to drag its anchor ~1000 ft / 300 m. Then the anchor ran into a barge that was moored off Georgetown (Grand Cayman). The ship suffered 2 dents in its hull (portside) and a 100 ft / 30 m long hull scrape.

15 July 2006Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On July 15, 2006, a male passenger jumped overboard committing suicide. The ship stopped for a half hour, and one of its rescue boats was lowered into the water (no more details on the incident).

January 2005Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In January 2005, CDC reported that on the voyage from January 3 to 8, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 103 passengers (out of 2136, or 4,8%) and 8 crew (out of 756, or 1,1%). Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The ship operated on a 5-day Bahamas cruise from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida.

2005Other Incidents

May-July 2005, during its dry-dock in Rotterdam Holland, the ship was stretched. An 11,300-ton,  73 ft / 22 m long prefabricated midsection was added. The refit resulted in an increased passenger capacity (151 new cabins), new venues, a water-play area, suspension bridges, a bungee trampoline.

The middle-section was made by Aker Finnyards, towed to Rotterdam Holland and added to the ship at the Keppel Verolme shipyard. Following the overhaul, the Enchantment ship re-entered service on July 7, 2005. The list of other stretched (elongated) cruise ships includes the MSC Cruises ships Armonia, Lirica, Opera, Sinfonia, also the Phoenix Reisen’s Albatros and the Fred Olsen ships Black Watch, Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar.

05 November 2004Ship Collision / Allision

On November 5, 2004, while the vessel was docked in Key West FL, a barge struck it leaving an 8 ft / 2,5 m hole in the hull. No injuries were reported.

29 October 2000Crew / Passenger Deaths

On October 29, 2000, a 40-year-old female passenger was reported missing / presumably overboard. The ship’s location was approx 140 ml / 225 km off Fort Lauderdale Florida.

15 March 1999Propulsion / Power Loss

On March 15, 1999, the ship lost power for ~8 hours and returned back to homeport Miami FL at reduced cruising speed. The cause for the incident was a failed connector rod.

05 June 1998Propulsion / Power Loss

On June 5, 1998, problems with 1 of all 4 diesel engines caused the ship to sail at 10% reduced speed. The incident resulted in itinerary changes.