A cruise ship holiday is many people’s idea of paradise – basking in the tropical sun, enjoying crystal-clear seas, sipping cocktails on the deck, and spotting whales from your private cabin. It’s an experience that feels straight out of a dream.
However, not all cruises end with a tan and a smile. While cruise ships are generally safe, they occasionally make headlines for all the wrong reasons – from onboard accidents to natural disasters and tragic overboard incidents.
Though none of the following disasters were as catastrophic as the Titanic, they were nonetheless horrifying experiences that passengers would sooner forget.
1. Costa Concordia (2012)
Often dubbed the “modern-day Titanic”, the Costa Concordia tragedy took place on 13th January 2012, just three months before the Titanic’s centenary.
The ship, carrying 4,229 people, deviated from its planned course while cruising from Civitavecchia to Savona and veered dangerously close to the island of Giglio. It struck a submerged rock, tearing a hole in its hull.
Chaos followed. The ship eventually capsized after the crew’s attempt to steer it away failed. Captain Francesco Schettino was later sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter, negligence, and abandoning ship – infamously before all passengers were evacuated. Thirty-two people died, and hundreds more were injured. Reports say he was showing off to his Moldovan girlfriend on the bridge at the time.
2. Carnival Triumph – “The Poop Cruise” (2013)
This four-day Mexican cruise turned into an eight-day ordeal when an engine fire knocked out the ship’s power. With no electricity, no running water, and failed sanitation systems, over 4,000 passengers were forced to endure unspeakable conditions.
Sewage overflowed into hallways, people slept on deck, and “hazard” bags filled with human waste lined the corridors. The stench was unbearable, and the fear of sinking in the Gulf of Mexico was real.
When the ship was finally towed back to port, Carnival offered passengers a $500 refund, a free trip home, and credit toward another cruise – assuming they’d ever want one again.
3. Adventure Hornblower Crash (2016)
Whale-watching cruises are typically low-risk. But in March 2016, the Adventure Hornblower’s throttle jammed while docking at San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Unable to slow down, the vessel ploughed into the dock, throwing seated passengers across the deck. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but seven people were injured, and the crash caused quite a fright for those waiting to board the next trip.
4. Explorer of the Seas Norovirus Outbreak (2014)
Cruise ships are like floating cities – and sometimes, they’re the perfect breeding ground for illness. In 2014, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas was hit by a norovirus outbreak that sickened more than 700 of the 3,000+ passengers.
The ten-day trip from New Jersey to the US Virgin Islands was cut short by two days. Instead of sipping cocktails on white-sand beaches, passengers were quarantined and recovering from gut-wrenching symptoms.
5. Celebrity Mercury Norovirus Outbreak (2010)
Before Explorer of the Seas, the Celebrity Mercury – another Royal Caribbean ship – suffered a similar fate in February 2010.
Departing from Charleston, South Carolina, the cruise was brought to a standstill when nearly 25% of passengers and crew fell ill with norovirus. The ship returned to port early, with extra medical staff called in.
Passengers were offered a complimentary cruise as compensation – though many likely swore off cruises for good.
6. Carnival Valor Tragedy (2022)
On 17th February 2022, passengers on Carnival Valor witnessed a traumatic event. As the ship sailed off the coast of Louisiana, a 32-year-old woman – restrained by security after an altercation in the hot tub – leapt from the 10th deck with her hands still bound.
She struck a lifeboat and the ship’s rail before plunging into the water. Although a flotation device was thrown to her, she made no attempt to reach it. The ship continued its course, and the woman was never found. The search was called off 17 hours later.
7. Eastern Star Yangtze River Disaster (2015)
In June 2015, the Eastern Star was sailing through China’s iconic Three Gorges when a powerful storm capsized the vessel.
Only 14 of the 450 passengers and crew survived. Overcrowding and poor weather contributed to the disaster, marking it as China’s deadliest shipping incident in modern history.
8. MSC Opera Crash in Venice (2019)
In June 2019, Venice witnessed a near catastrophe when the MSC Opera, returning from a tour of the city, failed to slow while approaching the port.
Instead, it slammed into the River Countess, a smaller cruise vessel, and then the sea wall. The collision injured five people and sparked outrage over the increasing size of ships entering Venice’s fragile canals. The captain and crew were later convicted of negligence.
9. Anthem of the Seas Storm Incident (2016)
On a voyage from New Jersey to the Caribbean, Anthem of the Seas was battered by a ferocious storm with 130mph winds.
Furniture was tossed, passengers thrown across rooms, and panic spread like wildfire. Some feared the ship would capsize; others recorded farewell messages. Descriptions likened the experience to being inside a giant washing machine.
The cruise was aborted two days in, and passengers were refunded – along with a heartfelt apology from Royal Caribbean.
10. Norwegian Sun’s Construction Chaos (2022)
In what should have been a scenic getaway, Norwegian Sun passengers were shocked to find themselves on a ship undergoing major renovations.
What was billed as “upgrades” turned into a waking nightmare – with metal debris landing on balconies, persistent hammering echoing through the ship, and chaos at every turn.
Passengers were furious, especially since they were not informed in advance. “Nightmare cruise” became a common phrase in the media.
Cruises are meant to offer relaxation, not chaos – yet even the most luxurious ships can find themselves caught in storms, disasters, or outright mismanagement. While these horror stories are relatively rare, they serve as sobering reminders of what can go wrong when you’re far out at sea.
So, before you set sail, maybe double-check the forecast… and the ship’s maintenance schedule.
Have You Ever Been on a Cruise? We’d love to hear from you. Have you experienced – or narrowly avoided – a cruise ship disaster? Know of any others that should be on this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – and don’t forget to share this article with your travel-loving friends. Safe travels, and smooth seas!
