Cruise liner operated by Carnival encounters head-on collision with an iceberg.
The incident occurred aboard the Carnival Spirit, causing no harm to passengers or significant damage to the vessel. This was said by a Carnival Cruise Line representative, who characterized the occurrence as the ship striking an unexpected fragment of drifting ice.
Carnival Spirit was navigating Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, a renowned waterway known for its breathtaking scenery and drifting ice.
Footage of the event surfaced on social media platforms shortly after, with numerous passengers recording the collision of the ship with the iceberg.
@cass_goskie 9/5/24 marked the moment when Carnival Spirit struck an iceberg, but it didn't result in any procedures necessitating an emergency response. The crew's swift action in inspecting the damage and ensuring the safety of all passengers was commendable. #greenscreenvideo#alaskacruise#carnivalcruise#iceberg#fyp#icebergincident#cruiseaccident#titanic#carnivalspirit♬ original sound - Cassandra GoskieCassandra Goskie posted a video on TikTok** featuring a voice declaring: "If we perish, it was worth it; it's a Titanic moment," just seconds before impact with the ice block.
Meanwhile, passenger Saurabh Singhal described the ship's lengthy halt to evaluate the damage in a Facebook post.
"Inspection revealed no harm to the ship's hull, and the vessel proceeded with its Alaskan journey, unaffected by the incident," the Carnival spokesperson informed CNN Travel.
The Carnival Spirit concluded its seven-day Alaskan voyage without interruption on Tuesday, returning to Seattle, Washington. Subsequently, the vessel embarked on another 14-day Alaskan journey.
In 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line's ship Norwegian Sun experienced similar damage when it struck an iceberg while sailing in Alaska. Luckily, there were no injuries.
Alaska has seen growing concerns from locals regarding overly crowded waterways in recent years.
Alaska's waterways are notorious for their challenging navigational conditions, with Captain John Herring, a marine pilot in southeast Alaska, noting that "the ice is solid and can harm the ship's hull or propellers." Furthermore, strong winds and currents make sailing through icy waters even more complicated.
However, as Chris Gray Faust, cruise expert and executive editor of Cruise Critic, explained, "modern cruise ships are specifically constructed to sail various types of water, and those designed for Alaska can withstand icy waters. The experienced captains familiar with the terrain assure the safety of these voyages." It's rare to encounter any complications related to sailing in icy waters.
Despite the challenging navigational conditions in Alaska's icy waters, the Carnival Spirit continued its love for exploration, with regular travel itineraries including Alaskan journeys.
Upon hearing about the incident, many cruise enthusiasts expressed their interest in embarking on a future Alaskan voyage aboard the Carnival Spirit, showcasing their unwavering confidence in the ship's ability to navigate icy waters safely.
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