MSC Fantasia accidents and incidents

15 March 2024Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On March 15, 2024, after the ship docked in Puerto de Palma de Mallorca (Majorca Island, Balearic Spain), a 37-year-old male crew was arrested and charged with sexual assault.

The man (a Kenyan national) worked on the ship as an entertainer. He was detained in a crew cabin after allegedly raping a 27-year-old female passenger (British national) and after docking the ship was boarded by local police (Civil Guard) officers who made the arrest.

Following a court appearance in Palma, on March 17th the man was released on bail.

The young woman disembarked the ship to seek medical treatment in a local hospital.

MSC Cruises duly informed about the incident all appropriate authorities and assisted with the criminal investigation.

The crime was conducted in international waters (while the vessel was en route from Naples to Palma), at the beginning of the 7-day "Western Mediterranean Cruise" (itinerary March 13-20, roundtrip from Naples, Italy) that visited Palma de Mallorca (Mar 15), Barcelona (Mar 16), Marseille (Mar 17), Genoa (Mar 18) and La Spezia (Mar 19).

January 2022Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On January 13, 2022, during the scheduled stop in Palma de Mallorca (Majorca Island, Balearic Spain), were disembarked a total of 54 COVID-positive crew. The cases were discovered during routine onboard testings, and most were asymptomatic.

The infected were ambulanced from Mallorca Port to a government COVID hotel for quarantine.

The outbreak occurred during a 7-day Mediterranean voyage (itinerary Jan 7-14, roundtrip from Barcelona) with call ports in France (Marseille), Italy (Genoa, La Spezia, Naples) and Mallorca (Jan 13/port stay 10 am - 8 pm).

March 2020Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On March 22, 2020, the liner docked in Port Lisbon ending the 19-day Transatlantic crossing from South America to Europe (Rio de Janeiro to Genoa, itinerary March 9-28). Due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, the itinerary was altered to end in Lisbon (March 23) where all passengers to be disembarked.

MSC Fantasia (carrying 1299 passengers) arrived in Lisbon 1 day earlier than planned, and nobody was allowed to leave the vessel until tourists repatriation begins. Initially, Portuguese health authorities required all passengers to be tested for COVID-19 (Coronavirus). However, only the Portuguese nationals (39 total) were tested, while other nationalities (mainly British, Australians and Brazilians) left Portugal untested.

The Portuguese nationals disembarked the ship on March 23. On March 24, was announced that all cruisers will be flown back home, even though a Portuguese passenger tested Coronavirus-positive. Repatriation flights from Lisbon were scheduled for March 24 - to the UK (Southampton), Germany (Berlin) and Brazil (Rio). The charter flights total capacity was 1140, and the remaining 159 passengers will be repatriated on a later date.

From the original itinerary were dropped (cancelled) all call ports in Europe (except Lisbon) including Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, March 20), Funchal (Madeira Island, March 21), Cadiz (March 24), Barcelona (March 26), Marseille (March 27) and Genoa (March 28).

16 January 2016Crew / Passenger Deaths

On January 16, 2016, when the cruise ship docked in call port Souda (Chania, Crete), it was subjected to a police search for explosives or suspicious passengers. The original itinerary didn’t include Souda, but directly Heraklion (Greece) after Haifa (Israel).

The Captain notified the Greek Coast Guard and port authorities about changing course due to bad weather. Another reason for the itinerary change was the death of a male passenger (of German origin). The body had to be autopsied to confirm a suspected cardiac arrest. Some Greek news media suggested a bomb threat on the ship.

09 June 2013Other Incidents

On June 9, 2013, the vessel’s scheduled departure from homeport Venice Italy was delayed by several hours due to civil unrest. The departures of the ships Fantasia, Azura, and Costa Fascinosa were impeded, as the port’s waterfront area was blocked by local protesters in numerous small boats. They argued that the growth of big cruise ships stopping in Venice had a negative impact on the city as a travel destination.

Environmental issues were also raised by the No Grandi Navi group (translated “No Big Ships”), claiming that large-size cruise ships stopping in Venice impose potential risk (damages or accidents) for the city’s fragile foundation and historical monuments. The issue grew louder since the Costa Concordia sinking (January 2012).

09 February 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On February 9, 2013, a 30-year-old male passenger fell overboard from his cabin’s balcony (on Meraviglia Deck 11) into the sea. The man (Luciano De Lucca, of Brazilian origin) was reportedly heavily intoxicated.

The accident occurred at ~7 pm, upon leaving homeport of Santos. Lowering a lifeboat, the cruise ship conducted a search and rescue operation, also assisted by local police boats and divers. Due to poor visibility, it lasted for ~6 hours, but the body was not found. The ship was on a Rio Carnival-themed cruise itinerary (South America), with scheduled call ports Buzios, Salvador (Bahia) and Ilha Grande.

06 December 2012Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On December 6, 2012, a 52-year-old male passenger died after falling from his cabin’s balcony (Radioso Deck 9) down on Sublime Deck 7 (Promenade deck).

The man (Teobaldo Ferreira da Cruz, of Brazilian origin) fell on his head and was found already dead. The accident occurred at ~1 am, while the vessel was en-route to Ilha Grande island. The ship anchored and was soon boarded by Angra dos Reis police.

The ~1-hour investigation showed that the man (an entrepreneur, owner of one of the largest wholesale distribution companies in state Bahia, Brazil) probably suffered a heart attack and then fell. Witnesses stated he fell straight down, without moving his body. No signs of alcohol were found in the blood. He was traveling together with his son in law.

The ship was on a South American (Brazil) cruise itinerary from homeport Santos (Sao Paulo), with stops in call ports Ilhabela and Ubatuba, before returning to Santos on Dec 8.

05 April 2012Ship Collision / Allision

(pier collision) On April 5, 2012, upon entering Port Naples (Italy), the ship hit a breakwall.

While no injuries were reported, the vessel sustained hull damage (a small dent on the stern portside).

Note: Actually, this type of marine accident is called “allision” (striking a fixed object) as opposed to “collision” (striking another vessel).

05 March 2009Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On March 5, 2009, the vessel was docked and disembarking passengers in call port Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca Island, Spain). At ~2:30 pm, strong winds caused its three forward mooring ropes to snap. When the bow drifted from the quay, one of the passenger gangways (telescopic bridges) collapsed into the water.

During the accident, 1 elderly passenger and 3 crewmembers fell from ~50 ft / 15 m in the cold water, while 4 other crew plunged into the sea to help. The passenger sustained head injuries (hitting the ship on his way down) and was taken to a hospital ashore. The 3 crew suffered hypothermia and were treated at ship’s infirmary.