Viking Sea accidents and incidents

17 September 2022Other Incidents

On September 17, 2022, at 9.15 am Italy time (7:15 UTC), the berthed at Porto Corsini (Ravenna, Italy) Viking Sea broke the mooring lines and started drifting towards the land. The incident was due to adverse weather conditions/strong gusts of north winds with extraordinary intensity.

A tugboat operated by Gesmar (Gerakis Servicios Maritimos SLU, part of Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group/maritime services provider) to which 4 more tugboats were added later prevented the drifting liner to run aground and soon brought it back to the quay.

The cruise vessel remained moored on the south berth at Porto Corsini's cruise terminal since 8 am (6 UTC). Ravenna Port Authority and the local nautical services (tugboats, pilots, mooring crews) promptly intervened, giving support to the liner which was soon safely docked and under constant monitoring.

No injuries or mechanical damages were reported.

The incident occurred at the beginning of a 12-day Central Mediterranea voyage (itinerary Sept 16-28, from Venice/Ravenna to Barcelona) visiting ports in Croatia (Split, Dubrovnik), Greece (Corfu Island), Italy (Naples, Civitavecchia-Rome, Livorno), Monaco (Monte Carlo) and France Marseille).

January 2019Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In January 2019, CDC reported that on itinerary Jan 18-28, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 31 passengers (out of 925, or 3,35%) and 0 crew (out of 455, or 0%). All sick suffered from Noro virus symptoms (predominantly diarrhoea and vomiting) and were quarantined to their cabins for 48 hours.

The accident occurred during 10-day "West Indies Explorer" cruise roundtrip from homeport San Juan (Puerto Rico) visiting Road Town (Tortola, BVI), St Johns (Antigua), Castries (St Lucia), Bridgetown (Barbados), Roseau (Dominica), Basseterre (St Kitts), Philipsburg (St Maarten) and Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas, USVI).

30 December 2016Propulsion / Power Loss

On December 30, 2016, the ship remained docked in port Barcelona Spain, waiting for engine repairs. AIS tracking data showed the vessel leaving Barcelona on Dec 29 and soon turning around and returning back to port. Viking Ocean Cruises informed all passengers that they can stay on board until the itinerary’s end (Jan 8, 2017) or leave the ship earlier as the cruise was officially cancelled.

13 December 2016Other Incidents

On December 13, 2016, due to heavy fog in port Venice Italy, the port was closed and Viking Sea ship had to make alternate arrangements for its passengers (embarking and disembarking in Venice).

The ship was rerouted to port Trieste Italy, approx 100 ml (160 km) from Venice. Disembarking passengers with booked through Viking Cruises flights were re-booked on new return flights (leaving on Dec 14), with complimentary transfer and overnight hotel stay. Embarking passengers boarding on the ship’s next scheduled cruise were coached from Venice to Trieste for boarding.

11 August 2016Propulsion / Power Loss

On August 11, 2016, operating in the Mediterranean Sea (southern Europe), the vessel lost power while docked in call port La Valletta (Malta). It was due to depart at 6 pm (on Aug 11). The accident was caused by a starboard azipod (azimuth thruster/propulsion unit) malfunction.

A technician from Athens Greece was sent to assist the repairs. The cruise ship left Valletta ~2 am (on Aug 12, approx 8 hours behind schedule) heading for the itinerary’s last call port Piraeus-Athens. The accident occurred on 14-day repositioning cruise (itinerary Aug 1-13) from Bergen Norway to Athens with call ports  Le Havre (Paris), Lisbon (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Valletta (Malta).