Quantum Of The Seas accidents and incidents

26 April 2023Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On April 26, 2023, at ~11 pm Hawaii time (~9 am UTC), a 35-year-old male passenger was reported missing and via the PA system was announced code "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" (man overboard). The ship was navigating approx 500 NM (580 mi/930 km) south of Kailua Kona (Hawaii Island).

The Captain immediately informed and requested assistance from the Hawaiian authorities including the US Coast Guard District 14 and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center/JRCC Honolulu. The ship slowed down, changed course and started a search and rescue operation by deploying lifeboats, throwing overboard life buoy rings and lifejackets (with automatic personal locator beacons) and also using searchlights to try to locate the man.

For the search, the USCG dispatched patrol boats and a Lockheed C-130 Hercules/rescue helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point (near Honolulu). The cruise liner was released after ~2 hours (~1 am/~11 am UTC) while the Coast Guard's operation was suspended on Apr 28th. The body was not found.

Reportedly, the man (Warwick Tollemache, an Australian national, from Brisbane QLD) was the partner of a female passenger who died earlier onboard (at ~9 pm / ~7 am UTC the same day) during a medical emergency. Which suggested that he intentionally went overboard (jumped from deck 15) committing suicide.

The incident occurred during the 15-day Transpacific crossing from Australia to the USA (itinerary Apr 12-28, from Brisbane to Honolulu) visiting ports in French Polynesia (Papeete/Tahiti Island, and Moorea Island) and Hawaii USA (Kailua-Kona, and Honolulu).

01 December 2022Structural and Technical Issues

On December 1, 2022, while the ship was docked at Aneityum/Mystery Island (Vanuatu) and during the passenger tendering, one of the lifeboats (mounted portside on Deck 5) detached from its davits (two small cranes) and fell into the sea.

According to the ship's Master (Captain Francesco Suma) lifeboat 12 was empty when it detached, hit the liner's superstructure (Deck 5), fell into the water (stern first) then its bow struck the liner's hull. The boat sustained damages - dents and cracks aft-starboard plus to the fiberglass bottom.

The lifeboat was retrieved and secured in its position onboard Quantum OTS and no injuries were reported.

The incident occurred during the 12-day "South Pacific Cruise" (itinerary Nov 27 - Dec 7, roundtrip from Brisbane, Queensland Australia) with call ports Noumea (Grande Terre island, New Caledonia), Aneityum Island Vanuatu (Dec 1, port stay 9 am - 7 pm), and Port Vila (Efate Island Vanuatu).

01 September 2022Fire Accident

In the evening of September 1, 2022, while navigating in Alaskan waters (en route from Sitka to Juneau), the liner suffered an engine room fire accident.

The fire was announced via the onboard PA system at ~8:30 pm (4:30 UTC) when the crew-only emergency code Bravo was issued thrice. The ship was brought to a complete stop and the decks' fire doors were all closed, keeping passengers from going out of the Main Dining Rooms and the Royal Theater. At ~9 pm, was thrice issued code Kilo (crew-only signal for reporting to the muster stations). After the aft lifts, the aft parts of Deck 5 (The Via shops, Jamie's Italian Restaurant, Two70 Lounge's lower level) and Deck 6 (staterooms, Two70 Lounge's upper level) were closed. Passengers were forbidden to use the aft elevators.

Via the PA system, the ship's Master (Captain Srecko Ban) and the Cruise Director (Jimmy Rhodes) informed passengers about the fire and that the emergency response teams are working on it. At ~10 pm (~6 UTC) was announced that the fire is extinguished and the crew is now clearing the affected areas.

No injuries were reported, the vessel's seaworthiness was not compromised and the voyage continued as scheduled.

The accident occurred during a 7-day "Alaska Glacier Cruise" (itinerary Aug 29 - Sept 5, roundtrip from Seattle WA0 with call ports in the USA (Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau) and Canada (Victoria BC).

August 2022Propulsion / Power Loss

On July 3, 2022, RCI-Royal Caribbean International emailed all customers booked on Quantum OTS' Alaskan voyages (7-day roundtrips from Seattle WA USA) with departures on August 1st, 8th and 15th, about itinerary changes due to a technical issue with one of the ship's four main diesel engines.

The issue didn't affect the onboard safety and the vessel's seaworthiness but significantly reduced its max speed. According to RCI, the parts needed for the affected engine were delayed due to global supply chain disruptions and failure to find an alternative logistics partner. Additionally, another main engine was scheduled for routine maintenance.

To avoid reducing in-port times, the scenic cruising in Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier during the impacted voyages was canceled. On some itineraries, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) was canceled, while Skagway was either dropped or replaced with Ketchikan.

Due to the speed limitation, some of the in-port times (arrival and departure) were adjusted - either shifted or shortened.

• Ketchikan (port stay changed from 8 am-5 pm to 7 am-4 pm)
• Sitka (port stay changed from 8 am-5 pm to 8 am-4 pm)
• Juneau (port stay changed from 2-8 pm to 7:30 am-3 pm)
• Victoria BC Canada (port stay changed from 4-10 pm to 5-10 pm)

All shore excursions impacted by the itinerary changes were rescheduled. Departure and arrival times in homeport (Seattle) remained unchanged.

As compensation for the itinerary change, RCI offered the amount of OBC (onboard credit) per person for one full day (of the fare paid). If unused, the OBC was refunded back to the passenger's credit card.

The affected voyages were all 7-day "Alaska Glacier Cruise" itineraries (Seattle roundtrips) visiting Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier (both visited on Day 5), Juneau, and Victoria (BC Canada).

(update) In early August RCI announced more itinerary changes impacting Quantum OTS's schedule in August and September. The changes included more in-port time in Juneau for skipping Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. As compensation, all bookings received OBC/onboard credit per cabin - US$75 (Interior and Oceanview), US$100 (Balcony), US$200 (Suite).

26 March 2022Crew / Passenger Deaths

In the afternoon on March 26, 2022, a 42-year-old male crew died onboard. Reportedly, the Filipino man (employed as a Loft Suite attendant) suffered a cardiac arrest. The ship's medical team tried for ~45 minutes to resuscitate him with CPR and a defibrillator, but the attempts were unsuccessful.

The incident occurred during an "Ocean Getaway" (cruise-to-nowhere) roundtrip from homeport Singapore.

January 2022Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On January 30, 2022, Royal Caribbean canceled two cruises to nowhere scheduled on Quantum OTS due to a crew COVID outbreak ("less than 0,6% of all onboard employees). The COVID cases (all fully vaccinated, identified during routine onboard testing) were asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic and immediately isolated.

The outbreak occurred during a 4-day cruise (Jan 27-31/Singapore).

The canceled voyages were also roundtrips from homeport Singapore, with departures on January 31 and February 3. All booked customers were emailed and informed that the voyages were canceled "in an abundance of caution".

All affected bookings received a full refund plus a 100% credit for a future booking.

11 August 2021Structural and Technical Issues

On August 11, 2021, some of the crew areas on Deck 2 (crew cabins, corridors, stairs) were flooded by a burst water pipe. Urgent repairs were made and the ship's seaworthiness/schedule and passengers' safety were not affected.

The incident occurred while the ship navigated in the South China Sea, operating a 3-day "Ocean Getaway" itinerary from Singapore (cruise to nowhere).

20 January 2021Coast Guard Medevacs

On January 20, 2021, the liner returned back to homeport Singapore 7 hours early due to medical emergency. The ship operated a seasonal cruise-to-nowhere program with no-port itineraries leaving roundtrip from Singapore. According to RCI's official statement, the medical emergency was "unrelated to COVID-19".

Quantum OTS was originally scheduled to return and dock in Singapore on January 21, at 6 am. All passengers were given the option to stay onboard overnight before the planned for Jan 21 debarkation. The Captain's decision was announced via the ship's PA system at 8 pm on January 20.

Upon docking in Singapore, the ill passenger was immediately ambulanced and hospitalized.

07 December 2020Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On December 1, 2020, Quantum OTS became RCI-Royal Caribbean's first ship to restart passenger shipping operations with Cruises to Nowhere from Singapore (seasonal homeport). The program included 3-night and 4-night roundtrips from Singapore without call ports along the route.

On December 7, the liner started a planned 3-night sailing but returned back to homeport a day earlier (December 9) after an 83-year-old male passenger tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The elderly man (Singaporean) reported to the Infirmary (ship's hospital) diarrhoea symptoms and underwent a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction test) as part of the onboard safety protocols.

Prior to boarding (December 7), all passengers had cleared mandatory PCR tests for COVID-19 up to 3 days earlier. The man was isolated together with his close contacts (travel companions and crew). All of them were subsequently tested negative. Following the incident, all onboard leisure activities were closed and all passengers were asked to stay in their staterooms. Followed mandatory testing before leaving the Singapore Cruise Centre (terminal).

As part of its new policy, RCI provides "COVID-19 protection" to all bookings, including 100% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) if a passenger or any member of his/her travel party test positive for Coronavirus in the 3 weeks prior to the booking. As compensation for the missed day at sea, RCI provided all passengers with a pro-rated cash refund plus 1-day refund in FCC. All remaining OBCs were also refunded.

On December 9, Singapore's Ministry of Health announced that the man's original sample (taken onboard) had been retested at NPHL (country's National Public Health Laboratory) and came back negative for COVID-19. A second sample (taken on Dec 10) tested by NPHL also came back negative. The next scheduled voyage (Dec 10) was cancelled "due to an overabundance of caution" (RCI). Quantum OTS resumed sailings on Dec 14.

The ship was operating with reduced capacity (~40%), carrying a total of 1680 passengers plus 1148 crew. On December 10, all passengers were disembarked in Singapore but required to monitor their health for 14 days and to have a COVID-19 swab test at the end of the 2-week period. The tests were arranged by RCI. No quarantine/isolation was required.

31 August 2015Other Incidents

On August 31, 2015, after an 8-days roundtrip Asian cruise from Shanghai to Japan (itinerary Aug 23-31), the ship docked in homeport Shanghai-Baoshan China (Wusongkou terminal) for disembarkation. During disembarkation, a large group of cruise passengers started a protest.

The incident was caused by ~300 disgruntled passengers disputing over a major itinerary change – all of them refusing to disembark. The scheduled itinerary included 3 call ports in Japan exclusively – Hiroshima, Tokyo, Kobe. Due to weather concerns (regarding Goni Typhoon), the original itinerary was changed with the Japanese ports being substituted with South Korean.

As compensation, during the whole cruise, Royal Caribbean provided all passengers with free Wi-Fi Internet and speciality dinners with lobster meals. The protesting passengers demanded a refund for the altered route. Dispute talks between the shipowner RCI, local authorities and the protesting passengers lasted ~7 hours (until 1 pm), when all passengers left (some were forcibly removed from) the ship. By the international maritime laws, the Captain is fully authorized to cancel port stops or make itinerary changes based on a specific situation.

29 April 2015Other Incidents

(boat rescue) On April 29, 2015, three cruise vessels – the Quantum ship, the fleet mate Enchantment 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. Approx 1 hour later, the man was found and rescued alive.

23 December 2014Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(sexual) On December 29, 2014 (law news), after the ship docked in homeport Bayonne, New Jersey, a 25-year-old male crew was arrested by FBI agents on charges for sexually assaulting a female passenger. The statute defined as crimes of knowingly engaging in sexual contact with an adult female.

The man (Karan Seechurn, from Mauritius) intentionally touched her genitals – directly, through her clothing, and without her permission. The incident occurred on Dec 23, while the ship was operating on a Bahamas cruise from NYC (Bayonne NJ). The Royal Caribbean employee worked on the ship as a cabin attendant (responsible for restocking stateroom mini-bars). On this position, he was provided with a master key giving him access to all cruise cabins, including the victim.

While he was off duty, he entered the woman’s cabin and while she was asleep he touched her genitals. When she awoke, she pushed him off and tried to leave the cabin. He pulled her back, then threatened that if she told anyone he will burn the ship down.

The defendant appeared in a federal court in Newark on Dec 29, 2014. On April 23, 2015 (law news) he pleaded guilty of abusive sexual contact, facing up to 3 years in jail. On August 5, 2015 (law news) he was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison.

05 November 2014Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On November 5, 2014, the ship was on a Transatlantic repositioning cruise crossing from Europe to the Caribbean. The itinerary (Nov 2-10) was from Southampton to NYC (Cape Liberty NJ) and without any call ports along the route. Due to a medical emergency, the vessel diverted from its course and stopped in the Azores (Portuguese autonomous territory).

A male passenger sustained an injury (dislocated shoulder) in a FlowRider incident. FlowRider is free of charge surfing simulation water attraction on the ship. The young man had to be medevaced to undergo emergency surgery. In the Azores Islands waters, the ship was met by a pilot boat which picked up and transported the injured man to a local hospital.

November 2014Other Incidents

In November 2014, during the Inaugural Cruise (Transatlantic crossing itinerary Nov 2-10 from Southampton to New York), there were numerous issues reported by passengers. The reported issues were about the ship’s general level of service, dining arrangements and amenities. Among the most common complaints were:

• delayed embarkation (by 1,5 hours)
• long queues along the gangways (telescopic bridges for passengers)
• delayed luggage deliveries to cabins
• limited bath amenities (bathrooms had only round soaps and no gel/shampoo)
• limited general store merchandise
• insufficient tables in the buffet restaurant
• poorly manned Reception Desk (by Chinese staff lacking skills and proficiency in English)

05 June 2014Fire Accident

On June 5, 2014, a shipboard fire broke out during construction at the Meyer Werft shipbuilding yard in Papenburg Germany. During the incident, two of the workers were injured, suffering from smoke poisoning. The ship sustained damages estimated at around EUR 50,000 Euro (USD 68,000).