Typically, a cruise is a relaxing experience. It gives travelers a chance to see some sights while being able to enjoy all the amenities that a cruise ship has to offer. But on some occasions, accidents can happen that make a cruise unpleasant, even dangerous.
Last week, it was reported that several passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise suffered offshore injuries after severe weather caused the ship to rock from side to side. Being injured at sea can be a frightening experience. Medical help is not easily accessible, a problem especially if the injury is life-threatening.
According to the report, the cruise ship had been near Egypt when strong winds and rough waters caused it to sway suddenly. The extreme weather was worse than what forecasters had predicted, likely catching the cruise ship operators off guard.
The event caught all the passengers off guard as many of the 2,100 people on the ship were thrown about while the ship was swaying. The cruise ship itself only sustained minor cosmetic damages that are already being repaired and have no impact on the ship’s ability to safely stay afloat.
Unfortunately, the number of injuries reported has increased in the past week. The initial number of estimated injuries was only about 30 following the incident. Now, it is believed that over 100 people were injured.
Though most of the injuries reported in this incident were not serious, it could have been much worse. A cruise ship has a lot of unattached items in rooms and on decks such as large pieces of furniture. The ship’s movement tossed those items around along with broken glass and other debris.
Though the article did not give information regarding reimbursement, the cruise line will likely compensate passengers on this trip for their tickets.
Source: USA Today online, “Report: More than 100 passengers injured as cruise ship rolled,” Gene Sloan, 17 December 2010
