Queen Victoria accidents and incidents

January 2024Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In January 2024, the CDC reported that on voyage V404 (from January 22 to February 12), an epidemic Norovirus outbreak affected a total of 129 passengers (out of 1824, or 7,07%) and 25 crew (out of 967, or 2,59%).

The predominant symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting.

The ship was on an 11-day Westbound Transatlantic crossing from the UK to the USA (Southampton to Fort Lauderdale Florida) visiting Bermuda (Hamilton/Jan 18) and Florida (Port Canaveral/Jan 21).

02 January 2023Propulsion / Power Loss

On January 2, 2023, during the current voyage, the ship entered an unexpected 2-day drydock for repairs (at Navantia Cadiz, Spain) with passengers still on board.

The drydocking was due to propulsion system issues (with one of the Azipod's blades) which, reportedly, for several months was causing vibrations towards the aft.

That the necessary drydocking will be during the voyage was announced on the embarkation day (Dec 23rd) by the ship’s Master (Captain Tomas Connery) in a letter to all passengers. The announcement also mentioned that the scheduled visit to Lisbon (Jan 4th) will be canceled and instead the ship will remain in Cadiz for three days/two nights (Jan 2-4).

Curiously, instead of disembarking passengers before the drydocking, they stayed onboard throughout the repairs as the Navantia shipyard workers were replacing the faulty propeller blade. As walking through the shipyard is strictly forbidden, all disembarking tourists were required to use the shuttle buses (between the ship and the port gate), as well as to stay within the defined footpath between the ship and the pickup zone.

Queen Victoria entered Cadiz on Jan 2nd (at 9:22 UTC) and was scheduled to leave the drydock on Jan 4th (between 12-noon and 2 pm UTC).

The accident occurred during the 15-night "Christmas and New Year’s Canary Islands Cruise" (itinerary December 23 - January 7, roundtrip from Southampton) with call ports in the Canaries (Arrecife-Lanzarote, Puerto del Rosario-Fuerteventura, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Madeira (Funchal), Cadiz (Jan 2-4) and Lisbon (Jan 4/canceled).

23 September 2022Crew / Passenger Crimes

Cunard's Queen Victoria departure on September 23, 2022, out of Port Southampton, was delayed as the ship was forced to return back to homeport due to a "security alert".

After the vessel returned and docked in Southampton (at ~5 pm/~16:00 UTC), it was boarded by police officers who started an investigation. The liner was cleared to depart again later in the evening.

A police spokesperson said the officers, after carrying out their inquiries, concluded that the alert had been a hoax. No arrests were made. A spokesperson for ABP/Associated British Ports (Port Southampton's operator) said the company couldn't comment on the incident and the ongoing investigation.

The ship was on a 14-day Western Mediterranean voyage (itinerary Sept 23 - Oct 7, roundtrip from Southampton) visiting Spain (Cadiz, Valencia), Italy (Civitavecchia-Rome, Santa Margherita Ligure), Spain (Cartagena), and Gibraltar UK. The itinerary remained as originally scheduled.

March 2018Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

March 2018, CDC reported on itinerary February 21 to March 9, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 65 passengers (out of 1901, or 3,4%) and 9 crew (out of 968, or 0,9%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly diarrhea) and were quarantined to their cabins. The liner was on a 16-day World Cruise 2018 itinerary segment (Panama Canal transition cruise) from Valparaiso-Santiago Chile to Fort Lauderdale Florida.

07 January 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On January 7, 2018, an elderly male passenger suffering a stroke was medevaced by a UK Coastguard helicopter team. At ~9 pm, the man was airlifted from the ship near Isle of Wight (approx 7 ml / 10 km off St Catherine’s Point) and transported to Southampton General Hospital.

13 August 2014Propulsion / Power Loss

On August 13, 2014, due to propulsion system problems, the vessel entered into drydock earlier than scheduled. This resulted in 2 canceled 2015 cruises – to Canary Islands (itinerary Jan 3-15) and the next one to Holland and France (itinerary Jan 15-20).

01 April 2014Structural and Technical Issues

(mooring) On April 1, 2014, when the vessel was docked in call port San Francisco CA, at ~1 pm, rough weather knocked it off its mooring. The ship broke its mooring lines and listed starboard.

17 October 2013Crew / Passenger Deaths

On October 17, 2013, a male crew died on the ship. The incident occurred during 24-day Mediterranean and Black Sea cruise (itinerary Sept 30 to Oct 24) roundtrip from Southampton. The vessel was en-route from Piraeus-Athens to Palma Majorca. Cunard Line didn’t provide additional information regarding man’s name, age, nationality, job position, or the cause of death.

11 September 2013Propulsion / Power Loss

On September 11, 2013, the ship experienced propulsion system issues resulting in reduced cruising speed. Cunard Line cancelled the next Mediterranean cruise, allowing the vessel to enter drydock in Germany for repairs. Booked customers were offered alternative itineraries or full refund. The liner returned to service on October 17.

14 February 2012Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On February 14, 2012, the UK police arrested a 34-year-old male crew, who was later charged with child molestation and child pornography possession. The man (Paul Trotter, of UK origin) for some 5 years worked as Youth Supervisor on all three Cunard ships – including RMS Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth. He was employed to supervise the kids' activities at the ship’s PlayZone (the kids play area on Spa Deck 10).

During the investigation, the police also found on his computer films (made by him) showing him abusing 13 different boys. On April 20, 2012 (law news), the man admitted he sexually abused at least 13 minors (all boys) in the period between Nov 2007 and Aug 2011. The man pleaded guilty on 12 counts of sexually assaulting underage children, 1 count of sexual activity with an underage child, and also 5 counts of taking-, 5 counts of making- and 1 count of possessing indecent images of a child.

15 December 2010Other Incidents

On December 15, 2010, Cunard Line’s first female captain – Captain Inger Olsen (Faroe Islands) – took the command of the Queen Victoria cruise ship.

January 2010Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

January 2010, CDC reported on the voyage Jan 4 to 12, a major Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 179 passengers (out of 1874, or 9,6%) and 8 crew (out of 983, or 0,8%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea) and were quarantined to their cabins for 48 hours. The ship was on its World Cruise itinerary’s first segment (7-day Transatlantic crossing Southampton to NYC New York).  In NYC, ~800 passengers (booked on Transatlantic cruise only) were disembarked.

On the next World Cruise segment (itinerary Jan 12-27, NYC to Fort Lauderdale Florida), CDC reported another major Norovirus outbreak affecting a total of 168 passengers (out of 1854, or 9,1%) and 19 crew (out of 983, or 1,9%).

18 July 2008Ship Grounding

On July 18, 2008, upon leaving homeport Southampton and while maneuvering in the navigation channel, the vessel took a 90-degree starboard turn. A strong crosswind drove it sideways in eastern direction. This caused the ship to run aground on a sandbank. The investigation showed the incident was caused by propulsion system malfunction (one of the Azipods failed) during the maneuver. The ship had to use all thrusters for ~25 min to wriggle off the sandbank.

(Note: Most ship grounding accidents (when the marine vessel’s hull impacts the seabed) happen at lower cruising speeds since the ships operate in known to be shallow waters. Such incidents usually result in stranding (with or without significant hull damages). However, if the hull is breached, the result would be flooding, which may compromise the vessel’s stability and safety. The well-known example for such a tragic accident is the Costa Concordia sinking after hitting a rock in January 2012.)

14 May 2008Ship Collision / Allision

On May 14, 2008, on its first visit to Malta (Valletta Harbour), the vessel struck the quay (pier) and dented its stern after the throttles malfunctioned.

The incident forced the ship to stay in port overnight for repairs, which resulted in an itinerary change – call port La Goulette Tunisia was dropped.

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

December 2007Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In December 2007, a UK news media reported 80+ passengers (or ~4% of all) suffering from Norovirus. The illness outbreak occurred on itinerary Dec 21 (2007) to Jan 6 (2008), a 16-day "Christmas and New Year Cruise" to the Mediterranean from homeport Southampton England. Along with the quarantine of all sick, passengers also complained about poor cabin service, toilet issues, lack of Xmas-themed decorations.

Note: When the itinerary doesn’t include US cruise ports, the ship is not required to report to CDC, thus no official illness report would be issued.