SuperStar Gemini accidents and incidents

February 2018Other Incidents

In the period February 7-16 (Chinese New Year), Star Cruises designated SuperStar Gemini as "hotel ship". During this time, the vessel was permanently docked in homeport Sanya China (at Phoenix Island International Port).

This way, Star Cruises introduced (for the first-ever) in Asia the "Floating Hotel" cruise vacation concept, providing a unique holiday vacation experience. The "cruise deals" were inclusive of stateroom, onboard dining and entertainment, as well as all onboard holiday-themed events (Valentine's Day dinner, Lunar New Year family dinner, live magic show performances, kids programs). All main onboard venues (including the 11 restaurants and the Theater Lounge) remained open during the nights. There was also an extensive night-life program. "Hotel ship" tickets prices per night / per person started from USD 78 (Inside Cabin fare based on double occupancy).

27 November 2016Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On November 27, 2016, at ~11 pm, while en-route to Penang Malaysia, a 60-year-old male passenger fell overboard. The ship was approx 18 km / 11 ml off Pulau Besar Island, and approx 22 km / 14 ml off Malacca (Tanjung Kling).

The man (Wuan Poh Fatt, from Singapore) was reported missing after failing to respond during passenger disembarkation in call port Georgetown (Penang). The overboard incident was confirmed by CCTV footage.

07 October 2015Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On October 7, 2015, a 30-year-old male passenger was reported missing and presumably fell overboard. The man (Raj Kumar Agarwal, from India) was last seen by his brother on Oct 6 (at ~11:45 pm). The provided by Star Cruises CCTV footage showed him falling overboard from his cabin's balcony at ~0:20 am (Oct 7)

22 April 2013Propulsion / Power Loss

On April 22, 2013, at ~1 am, the ship suffered power loss after the propellers entangled in fishing nets while navigating at the mouth of Yangtze River. The disabled vessel was towed into Shanghai Port Wusong.

01 November 2008Fire Accident

(MS Norwegian Dream) On November 1, 2008, at ~2:45 am, while en-route from Bermuda back to homeport Boston MA, the ship experienced electrical fire accident on Deck 3. The fire broke out in an electrical locker. It was quickly extinguished by the crew and without injuries.

15 July 2008Crew / Passenger Crimes

(MS Norwegian Dream) On July 15, 2008, while the ship was docked in call port Hamilton Bermuda, a 46-year-old male passenger was injured with an axe during a robbery. The incident occurred at ~9:30 pm.

The man (from Massachusetts USA) was driving a rental scooter and stopped to smoke a cigarette. He was first approached by a young black man. He offered him a cigarette, then the man left, returning a few minutes later with 3 other men. The robbers took his wallet (cash and credit cards). The victim suffered several lacerations (none life-threatening) to the head, abdomen, chest and chin.

April 2008Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Norwegian Dream) On April 28, 2008, the ship reported a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) with infected 99 passengers (out of 1579, or 6,3%) and 10 crew (out of 726, or 1,4%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The liner was on 18-day Caribbean cruise (itinerary April 13 - May 1) from homeport Boston MA.

10 December 2007Ship Collision / Allision

(MS Norwegian Dream) On December 10, 2007, while assisted by a tugboat in call port Montevideo (Uruguay), the NCL ship collided with a cargo barge. As a result of the collision, 10 new cars and several containers fell off the barge into the channel. The harbour had to be closed for over 24 hours. Ship's hull damages were minor (above the waterline), but the liner had to remain in port to complete the repairs. No injuries were reported.

The accident occurred during a 14-day South America cruise. As a result, the itinerary was changed. Three of the scheduled call ports were dropped - Port Stanley (Falklands UK), Puerto Madryn (Argentina) and Ushuaia (Argentina). The ship continued directly to Punta Arenas (Chile).

Shutting down the port affected the berthed here cruise ships Celebrity Infinity and CMV Marco Polo. As compensation, all passengers received 50% refund (of fares paid) plus US$150 pp (US$300 per cabin) in onboard credit. Onboard Next Cruise booking passengers received a 15% discount (based on fares paid for the current cruise).

May 2007Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Norwegian Dream) On May 30, 2007, Hong Kong China's health authorities reported that a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 88 passengers (out of 639, or 13,8%) and 4 crew (out of 465, or 0,9%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea).

The ship docked in homeport Hong Kong, ending a 10-day Asian cruise (itinerary May 20-30) from Singapore.  The vessel was thoroughly disinfected before passenger embarkation on the next scheduled voyage.

October 2005Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Norwegian Dream) The departure on Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary October 13-22) roundtrip from homeport Houston Texas was delayed by ~5 hours as the ship returned to port late due to mechanical problems.

The engine/propulsion problems resulted in reduced speed and itinerary changes - call ports Roatan Island (Honduras) and Cancun (Yucatan Mexico) were cancelled. The only remaining itinerary ports were Cozumel (Mexico) and Belize City.

As compensation, NCL offered to all passengers US$100 pp (up to 2 people) per cabin onboard credit, plus US$100 pp future NCL cruise booking discount.

On the following itineraries (departures Oct 22 and Oct 29) Roatan Island was replaced with Progresso (Mexico).

July 2005Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Norwegian Dream) During the 12-day Alaskan cruise (itinerary June 30 to July 11) roundtrip from Seattle WA, engine problems resulted in itinerary changes - call port Sitka  AK was cancelled.

As compensation, all passengers received US$50 in onboard credit. As the engine/propulsion problems continued on the following voyages, port Sitka was officially dropped from all scheduled itineraries through August 2005. On some voyages call port Ketchikan AK was also skipped.

Reportedly, the ship operated on only 2 (of all 4) diesel engines, resulting in reduced speed.

June 2005Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Norwegian Dream) During the 7-day Alaskan cruise (itinerary June 20 to 27) roundtrip from Seattle WA, the ship experienced engine problems resulting in reduced speed and itinerary changes - call port Sitka AK was cancelled. College Fjord (Prince William Sound, Alaska) was also skipped, but the Captain insisted that it was not part of the scheduled itinerary.

All passengers were compensated with US$50 in onboard credit.

December 2004Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Norwegian Dream) On December 10, 2004, the ship reported a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) with infected 73 passengers (out of 1749, or 9,4%) and 9 crew (out of 744, or 1,2%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (stomach cramps, predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins for 48 hours.

The ship was on 7-day Caribbean cruise (itinerary December 5-12) roundtrip from homeport NOLA New Orleans.

22 March 2004Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Norwegian Dream) On March 22, 2004, the ship suffered an engine problem (broken crankshaft) and had to continue on only one engine. The accident resulted in reduced speed and itinerary changes - call ports Funchal (Madeira Island) and Genoa Italy were dropped, and Gibraltar UK was added.

August 2002Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Norwegian Dream) In August 2002, reportedly the ship experienced an epidemic Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) with infected around 15% of all passengers. All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea). The ship was on 7-day "Baltic Capitals" cruise to ports in Scandinavia and Russia (St Petersburg).

On the following cruise (itinerary September 10-25) were reported a total of 169 Norovirus passengers.

During both illness outbreaks, the ship provided free of charge visits to the onboard infirmary. The self-service buffets were closed. All sick were quarantined to their cabins.

24 August 1999Ship Collision / Allision

(MS Norwegian Dream) On August 24, 1999, while en-route from the port of Zeebrügge Belgium to homeport Dover England, the NCL ship collided with the EVERGREEN LINE's container ship Ever Decent (built 1997). The cruise vessel sustained bow damage but was able to continue to Dover under its own power.

The cargo ship sustained severe damages, resulting in a 40-degree listing to port. Then it caught fire. Having containers with hazmat class (hazardous) materials, the fire also emitted toxic smoke. No fatalities or injuries were reported.