Carnival Cruise Line ship hit hard by flooding during storm
Severe weather is something many cruise passengers never hope to experience during a vacation at sea, but sometimes it can't be avoided.
A rainy day on a cruise is sometimes cause for disappointment, but usually doesn't result in more significant concerns like a missed port of call. Thunderstorms can disrupt or shut down certain cruise activities. though. including shore excursions, pools, and waterslides.
Related: Earthquake triggers travel concerns for top cruise destination
Cruise line private islands like Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas can even shut down entirely when severe weather moves in, sending cruisers back to their ships early.
And even without lightning, heavy rain can have an impact on cruises, but not just because it closes down the pool and sends passengers indoors.
When rain comes down hard and fast on a cruise ship, it can actually flood certain areas of the ship as drainage systems struggle to keep up with the deluge of rainwater. That's what happened on board one Carnival cruise ship sailing through a heavy rainstorm in The Bahamas this week.
Doug Parker shared more details on the cruise ship flood and other cruise news on the May 14th edition of Cruise News Today.
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Transcript:
Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning, here's your cruise news for Wednesday, May 14th.
Severe weather has caused major flooding aboard the Carnival Conquest currently sailing in The Bahamas. Passengers report water nearly entering cabins with balconies submerged and crew working nonstop to contain the flooding.
The storm began Monday evening and is expected to continue through today. The Bahamas has been hit hard this week by that same weather front that moved through Florida earlier in the week.
Related: Carnival shares cruise loyalty news; Royal Caribbean cruiser fined
One guest sailing on Conquest told us that this is some of the worst flooding they've ever seen on a cruise ship.
And Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas was diverted to Port Everglades on Tuesday to evacuate an injured guest. Yeah, the ship had left CocoCay earlier that day because lightning shut the island down. Around noon, an Alpha medical alert was issued for an injury in the ship's Central Park area.
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A later call requested Type O blood donors in which 30 passengers volunteered. The injured guest was transferred to a Broward County rescue boat around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Royal Caribbean refunded all excursions from CocoCay.
And the cruise industry is now clarifying details on Mexico's new in-transit cruise passenger fee set to begin this summer. Now, unlike prior claims, this is an in-transit fee, not a non-resident duty tax. And the final rate kicks in a year later than initially reported.
The fee will start at $5 per guest on July 1st, rising in stages to $21 by 2028. The change impacts all ships visiting Mexico.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line gives update on new cruise fee, port opening
And cruise stocks were up on Tuesday. Carnival Corporation: up 3%, 22.74. Royal Caribbean: up 2.3%, 247.84. Norwegian: up 1%, 19.33. And Viking: up 1.4%, 46.18.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@cruiseradio.net.
Have yourself a great Wednesday. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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