Island Princess accidents and incidents

17 June 2020Crew / Passenger Deaths

On June 17, 2020, a male crew died on the cruise liner anchored off Manila (The Philippines). The Filipino man (Candido Catambay) together with other crew was awaiting repatriation as the Coronavirus pandemic forced and border closings and international travel restrictions (including flights and passenger shipping suspension).

On April 20, Island Princess departed on its crew repatriation voyage from Florida USA to The Philippines. At the time of the incident, near Manila were anchored a total of 25 cruise vessels owned by Carnival Corporation (from the fleets of CCL-Carnival, Princess, HAL-Holland America, Cunard, P&O Australia).

April 2020Other Incidents

(crew repatriation) In mid-April 2020, Carnival Corporation developed a repatriation plan using 8 cruise liners from 3 of its brands - Princess Cruises (ships Island, Caribbean, Crown, Regal), HAL-Holland America Line (ships Nieuw Amsterdam, Veendam, Volendam) and Seabourn Cruises (ship Quest) to bring crew back home. The planned relocations (announced on April 18) included:

Caribbean Princess repositioning from The Bahamas to repatriate staff-crew to countries in the Caribbean and South America.

(two Transatlantic crossings) Regal Princess repositioning from Bimini Islands (Bahamas) to Europe (Southampton UK and Rotterdam Holland) to repatriate all European staff-crew. Crown Princess repositioning from Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) to Asia and South Africa to repatriate all Filipino, Indonesian, Indian and South African staff-crew.

(Panama Canal transit) Island Princess repositioning from Fort Lauderdale to Asia to repatriate Filipino, Indonesian, Indian and South African staff-crew.

(three Panama Canal transitions) The 3 HAL ships (anchored near Great Harbour Cay Bahamas) - Nieuw Amsterdam, Veendam and Volendam - reposition to Asia to repatriate all HAL's Filipino, Indonesian, Indian and South African staff-crew.

(Transatlantic crossing) Seabourn Quest repositioning from Speightstown (aka Little Bristol, Barbados) to Europe, also carrying staff-crew from Seabourn Odyssey (also being anchored near Speightstown).

11 June 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On June 11, 2019, a 61-year-old female passenger (suffering cardiac problems) was medevaced from the ship navigating in Prince William Sound (USA) and close to Bligh Island (Alaska USA). The USCG dispatched a 45-ft response boat to take the patient from the liner (en-route from Skagway to Whittier) and transport her to Valdez AK. The rescue operation was conducted in 12 mph (20 kph) winds and rain.

The incident occurred during the 14-day "Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure" (cruise itinerary June 5-19) roundtrip from homeport Vancouver (BC Canada) to the Alaskan ports Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Juneau, Skagway, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan.

February 2019Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In February 2018, CDC reported on itinerary Feb 8 to 18, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 101 passengers (out of 2193, or 4,6%) and 9 crew (out of 905, or 1%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly diarrhoea and vomiting) and were quarantined to their cabins for 48 hours.

The ship was on 10-day Panama Canal cruise roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) visiting Jamaica (Falmouth), Colombia (Cartagena), Panama (Colon), Costa Rica (Puerto Limon) and Grand Cayman Island.

03 January 2019Boat Rescue

On January 3, 2019, while en-route from Jamaica to Colombia, the liner rescued 6 people on a disabled for 2 weeks supply vessel. The ship was notified that Water Spirit (1980-built offshore tug/supply ship) is listed and with six crew (Venezuelans). The cruise ship dispatched a rescue boat to the vessel. The 6 crew were transported back to the liner, examined at ship’s infirmary, provided with food and accommodations and disembarked in Cartagena.

The incident occurred during 10-day "Panama Canal with Costa Rica and Caribbean" cruise (itinerary Dec 30 - Jan 9) roundtrip from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) to Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Cartagena (Colombia), Panama Canal (scenic cruising), Colon (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica) and Grand Cayman Island.

January 2018Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In January 2018, CDC reported on itinerary Jan 9 to 24, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 71 passengers (out of 2181, or 3,3%) and 7 crew (out of 898, or 0,8%). All sick suffered from Noro virus symptoms (stomach cramps, vomiting, predominantly diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The ship was on 15-day Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles CA to Fort Lauderdale FL, visiting ports in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Aruba.

15 May 2017Fire Accident

On May 15, 2017, the vessel suffered a fire accident while operating in Glacier Bay Alaska. The incident occurred during a 7-night cruise from Vancouver BC Canada to Whittier AK (itinerary May 10-17) with call ports Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay.

At ~7:30 am, a PA announcement was made by the Captain about an engine room fire. About 5 min later was sounded the cruise ship’s emergency alarm. The crew was called to the emergency stations. About 30 min later the crew was released. No injuries were reported. While in Glacier Bay National Park waters, the ship was boarded for inspection by USCG personnel. The inspection took ~1,5 hours. The fire was caused by a leaking oil pipe in the engine room.

10 May 2017Drug Smuggling

On May 10, 2017, three Princess Cruises employees on Island Princess were arrested and held in police custody in Vancouver BC. The arrests were made after police officers with a sniffer dog found drugs (5 kg of cocaine) onboard.

As a result, the ship’s departure was delayed, but the itinerary remained unaffected. Authorities confirmed that cruise passengers were not involved. The 3 men were of Nicaraguan origin – Willard Brooks (28 yo), Emil Garth (26 yo) and Jason Carter (32).

After the cruise ship berthed in Vancouver, they smuggled the cocaine to a local food market where were met by a man who paid them USD 30,000 for the drugs. Later, through screening, Canadian Border Service officers found the undeclared money (tucked into their underwear). A detection dog, together with Canadian Border Service officers then boarded the ship and searched their cabins where more cocaine was found.

Strangely, the drug mules didn’t face any jail time in Canada but were deported to Nicaragua instead. The ship was on a 7-night Alaskan cruise (itinerary May 10-17) from Vancouver to Whittier AK, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay.

09 March 2016Crew / Passenger Deaths

On March 9, 2016, FBI investigated the suicide death of a male crew (newly hired galley worker). The young man was discovered by co-workers dead in his cabin. Due to the investigation, the ship cancelled its next scheduled call port Puerto Limon (Costa Rica). The ship was on 10-day Panama Canal cruise (itinerary March 4-14) roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale Florida to Aruba, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Barbados.

17 December 2012Boat Rescue

On December 17, 2012, an online news media reported that the ship rescued 5 seamen (of Jamaican origin) from a small boat in distress. The boat was drifting for 3 weeks, and the sailors were most fortunate to be noticed by the cruise ship, which was en-route to call port Ocho Rios Jamaica.

13 January 2011Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual / law news) On January 13, 2011, a female passenger filed in Los Angles Superior Court a lawsuit against Princess Cruises. The woman claimed she was sexually attacked by a male crew when the ship was on a Panama Canal transition cruise and en-route from Acapulco Mexico to Fort Lauderdale FL. The woman testified she was grabbed and pulled, then he started groping her and trying to kiss her. Then she was pulled into a secluded area where the man touched her private parts. She managed to push him off and run away.

27 February 2010Other Incidents

(mooring) On February 27, 2010, ~10 min after docking in call port Huatulco Mexico, all fore and aft mooring lines broke due to strong underwater currents in Santa Cruz Bay. Passengers observed from the cruise ship many small boats in the harbour sinking, and several unmanned bigger boats going out to sea.

May 2009Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

April-May 2009, CDC reported on the voyage April 23 to May 7, a Norovirus outbreak affected 100 passengers (out of 1954, or 5%) and 5 crew (out of 894, or 0,6%).

2009Sea Pollution

In May 2009, the vessel was reported thrice and sanctioned for sea pollution in Alaska, violating the Alaskan wastewater standard for ammonia. Wastewater tests showed 130 mg/L (May 14), 120 mg/L (May 27) and 160 mg/L (May 28) concentration, when the limit is 80 mg/L.

Other Alaska sea pollution reports in 2009 were issued: twice in June (11 and 25), July 9, twice in August (14 and 20) and twice in September (3 and 11).

August 2008Sea Pollution

In August 2008, the vessel was reported twice and fined for sea pollution, violating the Alaskan wastewater quality standard for ammonia. Wastewater tests showed concentration levels higher than the allowed norms.

February 2007Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

January-February 2007, CDC reported on the voyage Jan 26 to Feb 10, a Norovirus outbreak affected 179 passengers (out of 1936, or 9,3%) and 37 crew (out of 916, or 4%). The ship was on 15-day Hawaii cruise from homeport Los Angeles.

October 2006Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

October-November 2006, CDC reported on the voyage Oct 21 to Nov 5, a Norovirus outbreak affected a total of 109 passengers (out of 1959, or 5,6%) and 11 crew (out of 905, or 1,2%).

March 2006Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

March 2006, CDC reported on the voyage March 7 to 22, a Norovirus outbreak affected 72 passengers (out of 1950, or 3,4%) and 16 crew (out of 911, or 1,8%). The ship was on 15-day Hawaii cruise from homeport Los Angeles.

29 January 2006Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 29, 2006, at ~5 pm, a harbour worker (tugboat veteran pilot) died in call port Kauai (Nawiliwili Harbour) after slipping and falling from a ladder. He was hit by the tugboat, which navigated the cruise ship out of the harbour into the sea.

05 January 2006Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard) On January 5, 2006, upon disembarkation in Ensenada Mexico, a 3-year-old female passenger fell overboard but was rescued alive. The toddler fell from the gangway (telescopic bridge for passengers) into the water, between the dock and the ship. The incident happened when the mother seated the little girl on the gangway’s railing to put her travel documents back into the purse. The kid was saved by another passenger who jumped and pulled her out of the water.

June 2004Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

May-June 2004, CDC reported on voyage May 29 to June 5, a major Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 375 passengers (out of 2018, or 18,6%) and 50 crew (out of 896, or 5,6%).

On the next scheduled itinerary (June 5-12), another Norovirus outbreak affected 66 passengers (out of 2036, or 3,2%) and 18 crew (out of 930, or 1,9%). All sick suffered from the Norovirus symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins for 48 hours.

Both Norovirus cruises were to Alaska leaving roundtrip from homeport Vancouver BC.

06 February 2003Other Incidents

On February 6, 2003, the French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique announced that the vessel’s delivery will be delayed by 2 months. The originally scheduled Inaugural cruise (Panama Canal transition itinerary planned for May 13) was replaced with Alaskan cruise from Vancouver BC (scheduled for July 12).