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Carnival passengers recount ‘nightmare’ cruise as storm floods ship
Videos showed the Carnival Sunshine cabins and hallways flooding and ceilings leaking
Matthew Branham and his fiancée, Madison Davis, were lying by a Carnival Sunshine pool on Friday aboard a cruise returning to Charleston, S.C., from the Bahamas when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. The captain was expecting rougher weather that evening, but there was nothing to worry about. So Branham and Davis didn’t worry.
As the day went on, “We noticed it started getting cooler in the afternoon — much, much cooler,” said Branham, 25, of Castlewood, Va. “And then it was like a switch was flipped, and it literally turned into a nightmare.”
En route back to Charleston Friday night into Saturday, the Carnival Sunshine navigated into a strong storm system that battered the southeast over the holiday weekend. Videos emerged on social media showing cabins and hallways flooding, shop floors littered with destroyed merchandise and leaking ceilings . Passenger Brad Morrell snapped a photo of an automated instrument map reporting a 69 knot, or 79 mph, wind.
#CarnivalSunshine : Due to return to Charleston, South Carolina this Saturday, May 27, 2023, has been delayed due to severe weather. The ship is currently off the South Carolina coast and holding position, unable to return to the port because of high winds & rough seas. #cruise 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/2B6HlAn2yD — ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) May 28, 2023
Carnival said in a statement that the weather was unexpectedly strong, causing conditions that were rougher than forecast, but that its fleet operations center team, which relies on outside meteorology resources for itinerary planning, “coordinated to keep the ship in its safest location.”
“Attempting to sail out of the large front could have been dangerous,” the statement continued. “The ship proceeded to the port as soon as the weather began to clear.”
Strong Southeast storm slams Carolinas
Carnival said the captain made “several announcements about the weather and the delay it caused in returning to Charleston, asking guests to use extra precaution while walking around the ship.” Additionally, “some of the worst weather occurred in the overnight hours when announcements are not typically made, but guests and crew were safe.”
The ship’s medical staff did help a “small number” of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance following the storm. Despite the significant damage and a delay in schedule, Carnival Sunshine embarked on its next five-day Bahama sailing on Saturday.
From their sea-view room, Branham and Davis watched as waves surged over their window and braced themselves as the 892-foot-long ship lurched in the storm.
“Waves were hitting the boat so hard that it was like an earthquake experience, jarring you like a really rough roller coaster — even in the middle floor,” Branham said.
They were told to stay in their cabins. Meanwhile, Branham said, TVs were falling off walls, and glassware was sliding off shelves and shattering on the floor. “You could not stand up in your room,” he said. “You could be thrown from the bed.”
They packed up their belongings when their floor started to flood and took shelter in a main lobby area.
“All of the employees were sprinting downstairs with life vests,” Branham said. “There were little kids besides us screaming and crying and throwing fits.”
Throughout the storm, Branham wondered why there weren’t more announcements from Carnival staff. Besides the warning of rougher seas earlier Friday and one Saturday morning after they’d weathered the storm, Branham said they weren’t given any official updates on their situation. When he asked workers what was going on, they told him not to worry.
@CarnivalCruise #carnivalsunshine still 75mph winds at 9:25am. Sitting and spinning in the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/NITCO2l9Ss — FlyersCaptain™®© (@flyerscaptain) May 29, 2023
“But you see rooms flooded, and you can pick up a handful of sand and you’re kind of like, ‘What in the world? Why is nobody telling us anything?’” Branham said.
Jim Walker, a maritime lawyer and cruise industry legal expert, says his firm has been contacted by some Carnival Sunshine passengers who were injured during the storm, including a man who says he was struck by a door and broke his foot. Others have asked him about the potential for a class-action lawsuit.
While Walker said passengers should make their complaints known to Carnival, he doesn’t believe filing a lawsuit would be an efficient next step. Instead, impacted passengers can ask Carnival for a refund or a credit for another cruise, although there’s no guarantee the cruise line will grant such requests.
Pete Peterson, owner of Storybook Cruises , which is affiliated with Cruise Planners, said cruise ships keep a close eye on weather developments and will adjust their itinerary depending on the severity of the storm.
“Cruise lines monitor the weather all the time. They’re not going to put their passengers in harm’s way,” said Peterson, who has been a cruise adviser for more than 20 years and has sailed on nearly 60 cruises. “Obviously, some cruise lines are better at doing this than others.”
In 2016, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas returned to port after cruising into a “bomb cyclone,” which damaged the ship amid winds gusting to 100 mph. The ship sailed into the remnants of Hurricane Hermine seven months later, causing additional problems.
To ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers, a cruise ship can alter its course and circumvent the rough weather system. In stormy conditions, the crew can deploy the stabilizers, which will prevent the ship from rolling and bucking.
“You don’t experience the up and down,” Peterson said. “It’s not as rough a ride.”
Both approaches can add to a cruise line’s expenditures, Peterson said. Stabilizers slow the vessel, thereby consuming more fuel. Sailing around the storm can take longer than the original route and disrupt the company’s cruise schedule, leading to delays or cancellations. The cruise line may have to reimburse passengers or provide them with future credits because of the inconvenience.
“When they do something like that, it’s going to cost them money,” Peterson said.
Craig Setzer , a meteorologist and hurricane preparedness specialist, said that even with the hurricane-like conditions and flooding, “I would never be in doubt of the vessel’s integrity,” he said. “Cruise ships are structurally very, very sound and can survive a lot. They’re really rugged.”
Matthew Cappucci contributed to this report.
More cruise news
Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.
Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .
The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.
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Cruise turns into nightmare as powerful storm floods ship and leaves passengers vomiting
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Vacation dreams turned to nightmares for some Carnival Cruise Line passengers when torrential rains flooded the ship over the weekend.
Carnival Sunshine was returning to Charleston on Saturday after a six-day Bahamas cruise when the ship was set upon by a storm . Torrential rains flooded the hallways of the ship and rough sea conditions made some passengers nauseous.
"You could smell people being sick walking down the halls," one passenger told The Daily Mail .
A Carnival representative said all of the passengers were safe during the incident.
"Carnival Sunshine's return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance," the company told WCIV . "The weather's prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship's arrival on Sunday, and as a result, the next voyage's embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests."
Some guests who experienced the voyage seemed more frustrated than patient.
"We didn't wait it out. We sailed right into [the storm] and spent 11 hours pitching, diving, and rolling," Sharon Tutrone, a professor at Coastal Carolina University and a passenger on board the Carnival Sunshine said on Twitter. "We were surrounded by lightning and the ship took a huge hit by a wave and sounded like it split in two."
In a follow-up tweet, she tagged Carnival and suggested that "maybe you should have a pilot onboard so we didn't have to sit and drift for 6 hours waiting."
Photos from the ship showed water rushing down hallways and stairwells, and on-board shops that look as though they've been ransacked due to the force of the storm.
Another traveler, Daniel Taylor, told The Daily Mail he went to see a show at an onboard venue shortly after the captain announced the ship would be traveling through inclement weather.
He recalled hearing the sound of the ship smashing against huge swells audible over the music.
"Stage lights mounted on the ceiling began to shake, the disco ball started swinging and the LED wall on the stage," which he estimated to be approximately 20ft wide and 3oft tall, "began rolling side by side on its own."
By 8pm on Friday evening the ship's crew began evacuating public decks. During the overnight hours between Friday and Saturday, the passengers lost internet connection, removing their ability to watch the weather on their own.
At 7:30am the next day, the cruise director reportedly confirmed to the passengers that the ship was at the harbour but needed to wait to dock.
The ship was finally docked again at 5:30pm on Saturday night, approximately nine hours past schedule.
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Video shows carnival cruise ship in disarray after ‘horrific’ south carolina storm.
Terrified passengers on a Carnival cruise were left vomiting after a torrential storm pounded the ship in South Carolina — flooding the vessel and ripping doors off their hinges.
The Carnival Sunshine was returning to Charleston following a week-long trip in the Bahamas when it got caught in wild weather and rough seas over the Memorial Day weekend.
Videos shared online by vacationers show flooded hallways littered with glass and other debris, doors ripped off their hinges and downed pipes laying soaked on the floor.
The ship’s crew members were forced to evacuate their flooded quarters, according to a video shared on Twitter that shows the area in disarray.
Throughout the storm, several passengers also complained they were starting to feel sick due to the boat’s rough movements.
One traveler described being able to “smell people being sick walking down the halls,” the Daily Mail Reported .
![carnival cruise nightmare storm cruise flooded](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011918511.jpg?w=579)
Cruise-goer RJ Whited, who was celebrating his engagement to fiancé Tracy on the Carnival Sunshine, told WCIV that the ship was shaking “so violently.”
Passengers also complained that they didn’t hear from the ship’s captain or any crew members for hours during the chaos.
“They left us blind,” passenger Daniel Taylor told the outlet. “Not reassuring us about what was going on, where we were headed to, what the plan was. They could have updated us and let us know something.”
![carnival cruise nightmare storm storm damage](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011918514.jpg?w=603)
Another passenger, Christa Seifert-Alicea, said they didn’t receive word from the captain or crew for more than 12 hours.
“What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child and the elderly is something I will never forget,” Seifer-Alicea said.
Water damage and broken glass were left in the hallways and rooms following the storm.
![carnival cruise nightmare storm cruise](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011918509.jpg?w=588)
A Carnival spokesperson said only a “small number” of passengers and crew members required “minor assistance.”
“Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance,” the cruise liner said in a statement to WCIV.
“The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests.”
The spokesperson added that the Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on a five-day Bahamas cruise and will return to Charleston on Thursday.
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Terrifying video shows a storm flooding decks and hallways of a Carnival Sunshine cruise ship leaving passengers seasick
- Terrifying videos show a coastal storm flooded the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship over the weekend.
- Passengers told WCIV about "horrific" conditions and not hearing updates from crew for over 12 hours.
- Carnival Cruise Line said the storm delayed the ship's arrival to Charleston.
![carnival cruise nightmare storm Insider Today](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/BI/US/logos/newsletters/insider-today-logo.png)
It's a cruise ship passenger's worst nightmare: Rough coastal storms hit the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship over the weekend, flooding some decks of the vessel and delaying its return to port.
According to Fox Weather , a powerful storm off the southeastern coast of the US hit the Sunshine as it returned from a Memorial Day weekend trip to the Bahamas. The large waves, heavy rain, and strong winds rocked the ship, leaving some passengers sick and terrified.
One video shared online showed heavy damage along some of the decks of the ship. Hallways were flooded and debris was strewn about everywhere.
—Crew Center (@CrewCenter) May 28, 2023
One passenger posted a video of the interior of a cabin as the storm pounded the ship, adding that guests had been evacuated from one of the bars after over 30 liquor bottles fell off the bar and broke.
—FlyersCaptain™®© (@flyerscaptain) May 29, 2023
Some Carnival Sunshine guests reported feeling sick during the storm, according to WCIV-TV . Others, including passengers Christa Seifert-alicea and Daniel Taylor, told WCIV-TV that they didn't receive communication or updates on the storm from the Sunshine's crew for over 12 hours.
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"What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child, and the elderly is something I will never forget," Seifert-alicea told WCIV-TV.
One video posted on Twitter showed the aftermath of the storm on Sunday morning.
Carnival Cruise Line told Insider in a statement that the ship's "return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday."
"The weather's prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship's arrival and as a result, the next voyage's embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests. Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on its next cruise," the statement read.
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Carnival cruise pounded by storm, flooded during ‘horrific’ voyage.
NOT WHAT YOU WANT
Laura Bradley
Senior Entertainment Reporter
Crew Center/Twitter
A Carnival cruise turned into a “nightmare” this week as the ship weathered a torrential storm in Charleston, South Carolina, ABC News 4 reports. Passengers posted videos from the Carnival Sunshine —which saw flooding, destruction, and reportedly some vomiting. As one passenger colorfully told the Daily Mail , “you could smell people being sick walking down the halls.” Passenger Christa Seifert-Alicea told ABC that passengers received no communication from the crew for more than 12 hours. A Carnival representative told the state: “Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. The ship was returning from a six-day cruise to the Bahamas when the storm hit—and it’s already left for another five-day cruise back to the islands.
Carnival passengers recount treacherous conditions after weathering severe storm
by WCIV/CNN/CNN Newsource
![carnival cruise nightmare storm (WCIV/DANIEL TAYLOR/TWITTER/@CREWCENTER:/CNN/CNN Newsource/Twitter/@crewcenter:)](https://local12.com/resources/media2/16x9/full/1015/center/80/f6ff5d2d-1877-449c-8cef-bcc2468fbc6e-large16x9_thumb_70362.png)
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV/CNN/CNN Newsource) - After weathering treacherous conditions at sea, Carnival cruisers spoke to reporters to recount horrific conditions experienced aboard the ship.
Carnival's ship "Sunshine" pulled into South Carolina on Sunday, and disappointed passengers shared their stories. For one couple, the start of their engagement and first cruise was described as a nightmare.
"She got really sick and was at sea all day, but we basically stayed in the room because she couldn't do anything," said RJ Whited, a passenger on the Carnival cruise.
After passing out three times and catching a fever, they were advised to quarantine. His fiancée started to feel better, but then the ship got caught in the storm.
"And it was shaking us so violently we couldn't do anything. We couldn't eat at any restaurants," Whited said.
Carnival cruisers said they were confused after several hours of no communication from crew members.
"They left us blind, not reassuring us, what was going on, where we were headed to, what the plan was, they could've updated us and let us know something," said Daniel Taylor, another passenger on the cruise.
Waterlogged items and broken glass were left strewn throughout the passageways.
In a statement, Carnival responded to the incident.
Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance. The weather's prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship's arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage's embarkation was also delayed.
The couple says even after they got off the ship they still felt like they were on water. As a result, they're not interested in booking another cruise.
"A fun celebration, we had no relaxation, nothing at all," Whited told reporters.
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Carnival cruise ship floods after its battered in storm off Charleston
A storm off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina left passengers terrified after it caused flooding on a Carnival cruise ship, CBS reports.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Passengers aboard the Carnival Sunrise described water pouring into their rooms and hallways, shattered glass, the ship bouncing about and a lack of communication from cruise ship staff.
Some passengers and crew members needed “minor assistance” from medical staff, a Carnival cruise spokesman told CBS News.
“Guests on board the ship were safe,” the spokesman added.
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Carnival Sunshine, which was headed to Charleston from the Bahamas, arrived behind schedule, according to the spokesperson. The ship needed to suspend service in several of the crew cabins due to water damage, and the ship’s next voyage was also delayed. CBS News said it has since embarked.
The National Hurricane Center warned of a non-tropical area of low pressure off the Florida coast of Friday that was expected to head toward the Carolinas over the weekend. Meteorologists said that there would be gusty winds, dangerous surf and strong rip currents along portions of the U.S.’s southeastern coast through Sunday.
Read: Georgia man accused of putting victim in chokehold in pizza store parking lot
Cruise passenger Sharon Tutrone, a professor at Coastal Carolina University, tweeted Friday that the ship was rocking. She went on to say that the only time passengers heard from the captain was in the afternoon, when he told them the crew was experienced and would do everything they could to minimize discomfort.
“They said it will get worse as we get closer to the storm,” she tweeted. “@CarnivalCruise is doing an EXCELLENT job!”
She tweeted again on Saturday afternoon, describing “14 hours of high winds, rain and massive waves.”
After 14 hours of high winds, rain and massive waves. The ship took a hit from a wave that sounded like the ship split in two. The @Carnival Sunshine is finally in Charleston. @Carnival maybe you should have a pilot onboard so we didn’t have to sit and drift for 6 hours waiting. — Sharon Tutrone (@SHARONTUTRONE) May 27, 2023
Read: AAA issues warning for teen drivers as 2023′s ‘100 Deadliest Days’ begin
Several other passengers, including Brenda Goodwin Sherbert, posted on social media about broken glass all over the ship and about water coming through their balcony doors.
Read: JSO: Carjacking suspect apprehended after short police chase in Hyde Park area
CBS News spoke with passenger Reid Overcash, who was on the cruise with his wife. He said that televisions on the ship displayed a message during the storm: “Public address announcement please standby.”
Overcash also told CBS News that when winds reached between 70 to 90 mph and the ship was tilting left, he truly feared for his life.
“Myself being in emergency services and retired, I knew nobody was going to come rescue us with winds over 40 knots,” he told CBS News.
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The trip was Overcash’s seventh cruise. He said he’s not going to let this experience stop him from going on future cruises.
“It’s just one of them unlucky experiences that occurs once in a while,” he told CBS News.
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WATCH: Cruise Passengers Share Terrifying Videos from 'Nightmare' Storm at Sea
The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship made it back to port safely on Saturday after being stuck in a storm between the Bahamas and Charleston, S.C. for 15 hours
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The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship made it back to port nine hours later than planned after sailing through a terrifying storm on Friday night.
The ship was on its way to Charleston, S.C. from the Bahamas when it got caught in severe weather, including nearly 80 mph winds. Passengers on board shared details and footage of the chaos and destruction caused by the storm on social media. Thankfully, Carnival told PEOPLE in a statement provided below that "no one was seriously injured."
Crew Center, a cruise ship information site, posted a video on Twitter showing a flooded hallway, torn-off doors and other debris and destruction on board.
"The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm," the post read. "The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed."
brad morrell/storyful
Passenger Daniel Taylor told Newsweek that the captain made an announcement around 4:45 p.m. saying that they would be experiencing a delay due to "adverse weather conditions," expressing that they "would do everything they could to minimize discomfort.
By dinner time, public decks had been closed off, and plates and cups were flying off the buffet areas, he recalled.
By the early hours of Saturday morning, he said, "We were no longer able to see where we were going, how fast we were going, what the wind speed was, or anything. We were blind to what was going on." Swells were hitting the ship "over and over," said Taylor, who also recalled seeing crew members wearing life vests.
At that point, the internet was also out, so those on board couldn't get any additional information or reach loved ones.
Matthew Branham, who was also on board, told The Washington Post , that "waves were hitting the boat so hard that it was like an earthquake experience, jarring you like a really rough roller coaster — even in the middle floor."
TVs were falling off walls and glasses shattering. “You could not stand up in your room,” he said. “You could be thrown from the bed."
Another passenger, RJ Whited, wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post cited by Newsweek , "Our cruise ship last night was literally sideways and slung everything in our room breaking, people in the hallways throwing up and sleeping on the stairs."
Added Whited, "We also found out that they knew about the storm and instead of us staying back to ride it out a few hours they hit it head-on so we could make it back for the other cruise to be on time."
Finally, the ship made it back to Charleston around 7:30 a.m., though it couldn't immediately dock due to continuing rough weather.
At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, the ship was able to dock.
Summing up the "nightmare" experience, passenger Christa Seifert-Alicea told NBC News 4 : "What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child and the elderly is something I will never forget."
In a statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Carnival said: "Carnival Sunshine's return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. The weather's prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship's arrival and as a result, the next voyage's embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests." The statement claims that "the ship's crew followed our protocols for rough weather" noting, "thankfully, no one was seriously injured."
"The weather was unexpectedly strong, causing conditions that were rougher than forecasted," the statement continues. "Given the circumstances as they were, the ship's officers and our Fleet Operations Center team using real time meteorology data coordinated to keep the ship in its safest location. Attempting to sail out of the large front could have been dangerous. The ship proceeded to the port as soon as the weather began to clear." The cruise line's statement also said that the captain "made several announcements about the weather and the delay" but noted "some of the worst weather occurred in the overnight hours when announcements are not typically made."
The Carnival Sunshine is already on its next voyage, the cruise line confirmed.
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Nightly news, carnival cruise passengers outraged after terrifying ordeal through storm.
Passengers say most of the journey on the Carnival Sunshine was a breeze, but then the ship crossed paths with a major developing storm on its way back to South Carolina. NBC News’ Steve Patterson shares one traveler’s experience and the company’s response. May 29, 2023
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Cruise ship Carnival Sunshine pounded by large waves during coastal storm near Charleston, South Carolina
Video shared on social media shows dark clouds covering the sky and large whitecaps raging in the surrounding waters of the atlantic ocean. cruise ship passengers reported water damage and broken glass, as well as high waves that battered the vessel..
![carnival cruise nightmare storm Passengers aboard the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine were left distressed as large waves churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast pounded the vessel, delaying its return from the Bahamas over the Memorial Day weekend.](https://images.foxweather.com/static-media.fox.com/ms/stg1/weather/992/558/play-66c1f622d000c21--23296233374.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Passengers aboard the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine were left distressed as large waves churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast pounded the vessel, delaying its return from the Bahamas over the Memorial Day weekend.
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Passengers aboard the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine were left distressed as large waves churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast pounded the vessel, delaying its return from the Bahamas over the Memorial Day weekend .
Video shared on social media Sunday by Brad Morrell , filmed outside his room onboard the cruise ship that was returning to Charleston, South Carolina , shows dark clouds covering the sky and large whitecaps raging in the surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Cruise ship passengers reported water damage and broken glass, as well as high waves that battered the vessel.
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Video shared on social media Sunday by Brad Morrell, filmed outside his room onboard the cruise ship that was returning to Charleston, South Carolina, shows dark clouds covering the sky and large whitecaps raging in the surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
(Brad Morrell via Storyful / FOX Weather)
Carnival Cruise Line released a statement to FOX Weather on Monday morning to describe the incident, which was reported to occur Saturday:
"Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests.
"The weather and rough surf led to some crew cabins being temporarily taken out of service while we clean up water damage. All the public areas of the ship are open and in service and Carnival Sunshine is currently operating its next cruise, a five-day Bahamas sailing."
VACATION TURNS INTO NIGHTMARE FOR A SEATTLE MAN AFTER A ‘ROGUE WAVE’ PARALYZES HIM
The low-pressure system responsible for the harsh weather over the Memorial Day weekend was being monitored for tropical and subtropical development by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) last week, though it remained a non-tropical low throughout its duration.
Forecasters from the NHC had visited the Carnival Cruise Line headquarters in Miami two days before the ship got caught in the powerful storm.
The area of low pressure has now moved inland over North Carolina and will gradually weaken in the days ahead, but not before dampening more holiday beach plans in parts of the mid-Atlantic and generating dangerous rip currents along the East Coast.
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Guests Trapped on Flooding Cruise Ship During “Nightmare” Incident
in Disney Cruise Line , Travel
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What should have been a relaxing trip turned into a “nightmare” after a Carnival Cruise Ship faced serious flooding.
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A Carnival Cruise ship was partially flooded and destroyed after a severe storm. The Carnival Sunshine was traveling through Charleston, SC, this weekend when a severe storm moved through the area.
Guests described the incident as a “nightmare,” with multiple decks of the ship flooding.
A video was taken of the shocking incident, which you can see down below:
The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm. The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed.
The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm. The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MqsDJYvrSG — Crew Center (@CrewCenter) May 28, 2023
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Passengers on board the Carnival Cruise ship explain that there were several hours of no communication from team members, causing serious confusion among Guests.
“It was shaking us so violently,” said one Guest.
Christa Seifert-alicea was a passenger aboard the ship during the incident and described the situation . They claim that the did not receive any communication for over 12 hours.
“What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child and the elderly is something I will never forget,” she said.
A representative from Carnival responded with the following statement:
“Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance. The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests.”
Stay tuned here at Inside the Magic for future updates.
Passengers aboard Carnival Sunshine describe 'nightmare' sailing into Charleston in storm
by Sydaija Smalls
![carnival cruise nightmare storm Passengers aboard Carnival Sunshine describe 'nightmare' sailing into Charleston in storm. (Courtesy Crew Center)](https://abcnews4.com/resources/media2/16x9/full/1015/center/80/37ad6b31-36b2-415f-985a-c2c1f6705a72-large16x9_thumb_97291.png)
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Many people vacation during the holidays, but bad weather conditions can drastically change the experience.
That's what happened to some onboard Carnival Sunshine in Charleston this week.
Several people who cruised on the ship shared on Facebook photos and videos of "horrific" conditions they endured on what was supposed to be a peaceful holiday vacation.
For one couple, the start of their engagement and first-ever cruise was described as a nightmare.
RJ Whited’s new fiancé, Tracy, got very sick and they had to stay in their room at the start of the cruise.
Read More: Carnival Cruise Line: Passenger appears to have died from medical condition
After Tracy passed out three times and caught a fever, they were advised to quarantine.
She started feeling better but then the ship got caught in a storm on its way back to Charleston.
“It was shaking us so violently,” Whited said.
Carnival cruisers said they were confused after several hours of no communication from crew members.
Passenger Christa Seifert-alicea said they didn't receive communication for over 12 hours. To be in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night, with no information was the worst part, she said.
"What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child and the elderly is something I will never forget," she said.
Another passenger, Daniel Taylor, said the crew left them blindsided.
Read More: Homeport contract between Carnival, SC Ports ending in 2024
"They’re not reassuring us, not telling us what was going on, they could've updated us and let us know something," he said.
Water damage and broken glass was left in the hallways and rooms.
A representative from Carnival responded to a request for comment from News 4 with the following statement, in full:
"Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance. The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests."
He said Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on a five-day Bahamas cruise and will return to Charleston on Thursday.
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Terrifying storm turns Carnival Sunshine dream cruise into nightmare: Passengers share the harrowing ordeal
Carnival sunshine nightmare: storm wreaks havoc on the cruise ship, leaving passengers terrified and vessel battered..
Passengers aboard the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship were left terrified and distressed as a powerful storm off the Southeast coast turned their dream vacation into a nightmare. The vessel, returning from the Bahamas over the Memorial Day weekend, encountered treacherous conditions, leaving passengers shaken and the ship battered.
Videos shared on social media captured the harrowing scenes onboard. One passenger, Brad Morrell, filmed dark clouds engulfing the sky and massive whitecaps thrashing the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was tossed by enormous waves, causing damage and chaos throughout.
Reports from passengers detailed water damage, broken glass, and flooded hallways resembling scenes from a disaster movie. The videos showcased flooded corridors strewn with debris, doors ripped off their hinges, and soaked pipes scattered on the floor. Crew members were forced to evacuate their flooded quarters, adding to the chaos and fear.
Carnival Cruise Line released a statement addressing the incident, attributing the delays and damage to the severe weather and rough seas. The ship's return to Charleston, South Carolina, was significantly impacted, resulting in delayed arrivals and subsequent departures. Some crew cabins were temporarily taken out of service due to water damage, but the public areas of the ship remained open and operational.
The cruise line expressed gratitude for the patience and understanding of all guests, assuring them that the ship's operations had resumed with a five-day Bahamas sailing. However, the disturbing images and accounts shared by passengers shed light on the alarming conditions they endured.
The storm responsible for the turmoil was being monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) as a potential tropical or subtropical development. While it remained a non-tropical low, it unleashed its fury upon the Carnival Sunshine and the coastal areas it passed.
Ironically, forecasters from the NHC had visited the Carnival Cruise Line headquarters in Miami just days before the ship encountered the powerful storm. This raises questions about the cruise line's decision-making and preparedness, as it seems they were aware of the potential risks posed by the weather system.
As the low-pressure system moved inland over North Carolina and gradually weakened, its aftermath continued to dampen holiday plans along the mid-Atlantic and generated dangerous rip currents along the East Coast. The impact on the passengers, however, will likely last longer as they recover from the traumatic experience they endured during what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway.
The Carnival Sunshine incident serves as a chilling reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the need for utmost preparedness and safety measures onboard cruise ships. As passengers recount their horrific ordeal, questions arise about the cruise industry's protocols and the steps taken to ensure the well-being of those onboard.
For now, the passengers and crew of the Carnival Sunshine can only hope to put this nightmare behind them and seek solace in the fact that they survived a terrifying brush with nature's fury on the high seas.
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Carnival Dream Cruise Becomes A Nightmare After Leaving New Orleans
May 7, 2018 / 4:01 PM PDT / CBS Sacramento
New Orleans, LA (WGNO) -- Water gushing down a hallway -- crew members forming a human chain to bail the flood into buckets -- sleeping on yoga mats in the ship's spa. Some of the passengers on the Carnival Dream will have a nightmare to tell when the ship returns to port in New Orleans on Sunday.
One passenger, Marla DeAnn Haase, posted pictures and video to Facebook of what she saw happening on the ship Thursday, May 3.
Confirmed to WGNO by Carnival spokeswoman Annemarie Matthews, the ship left New Orleans April 29 for a seven-day cruise of the Western Caribbean. But on Thursday, a broken water line in the sprinkler system sent "clean" water into about 50 cabins on Deck 9. Matthews says those guests who were "impacted" by the flooding will receive a full refund, plus half off a future cruise.
Still, some passengers might pass on the offer. Besides having to sleep on a yoga mat, Haase described a small fire in the sleeping area which she believed was caused by one passenger's "cpap" breathing apparatus shorting out in the damp conditions.
Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts told WGNO that his parents are on the cruise. Roberts said his brother spoke to their parents, who described an "out of control" situation Thursday evening. But Roberts says his parents' room was not affected by the water and they opted not to leave the ship in Cozumel, where passengers were allowed to disembark if they didn't want to finish the cruise in New Orleans.
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Tropical Storm Ernesto Disrupts Cruise Ships
Tropical Storm Ernesto's path through the Atlantic has disrupted two Carnival cruise ships planning to sail in the storm's track.
Ernesto became a tropical storm on Monday after moving quickly through the Caribbean, and meteorologists expect it to evolve into a hurricane later this week, given the storm is continuing to gain strength. Ernesto is the fifth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm's maximum sustained winds were measured at 60 miles per hour.
Ernesto's path has caused Carnival to modify two of its cruise ships' paths to avoid encountering the storm. Plans for Carnival Pride and Carnival Magic were both altered to account for the storm.
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Reached for comment, a Carnival spokesperson directed Newsweek to its most recent update on its website.
"Carnival Pride is sailing a Bermuda cruise from Baltimore. The ship's two-day visit to Bermuda will now arrive Tuesday, Aug. 13 and depart Thursday, Aug. 15, one day earlier than scheduled," the update said.
"Carnival Magic is sailing an Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami and has cancelled a visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Aug. 14. A visit to Nassau, Bahamas was added on Friday, Aug. 16."
Guest and crew safety remains a top priority for Carnival, the update said, and the cruise line's Fleet Operations Center in Miami will continue to monitor the storm and consider guidance from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the U.S. Coast Guard and local port authorities.
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Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue in the Leeward Islands on Tuesday and will affect the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Tuesday night, according to a recent NHC forecast.
"Hurricane conditions are also possible on the Virgin Islands, Culebra, and Vieques this evening and tonight," the Tuesday morning forecast said. "Heavy rainfall may result in locally considerable flash flooding and mudslides in areas of the Leeward Islands through today, and over the Virgin Islands into Puerto Rico by later today through Wednesday. Ernesto is likely to bring impacts to Bermuda later this week."
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Ernesto is not expected to directly affect the U.S. But NHC Director Michael Brennan warned earlier this week that the storm could "create dangerous surf and rip current conditions across much of the western Atlantic basin, especially along the U.S. East Coast beginning from Friday into this weekend."
NHC hurricane hunters have learned that the storm was still strengthening as of Tuesday afternoon, the NHC posted on X (formerly Twitter ). The biggest threat remains flooding and mudslides from heavy rain, the post said.
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- Tropical Storm Ernesto forces cruise itinerary changes in the...
Tropical Storm Ernesto forces cruise itinerary changes in the Caribbean
![carnival cruise nightmare storm CruiseMapper logo](https://www.cruisemapper.com/images/graphics/launcher/icon-3x.png)
Several cruise lines have adjusted their itineraries due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, which was impacting the northern Caribbean with heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas as it approached Puerto Rico on Tuesday evening, August 13.
As of 8:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, both CCL-Carnival and RCI-Royal Caribbean reported changes to avoid the storm.
Carnival Pride , sailing from Baltimore to Bermuda, advanced her visit by a day, now arriving on Tuesday and departing on Thursday.
Carnival Magic , on an Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami Florida , canceled the stop in San Juan Puerto Rico on Wednesday, replacing it with a visit to Nassau Bahamas on Friday.
Additionally, Carnival is closely monitoring the itineraries of Carnival Freedom and Mardi Gras for possible adjustments.
Royal Caribbean also made modifications. Icon of the Seas switched to a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary, now visiting Cozumel Mexico ; Roatan Honduras ; and Costa Maya Mexico , instead of its planned Eastern Caribbean route.
Rhapsody of the Seas reordered her ports of call, visiting Bridgetown Barbados on Tuesday; Castries St Lucia on Wednesday; St John’s Antigua on Thursday; Phillipsburg St. Maarten on Friday; and St. Croix USV I on Saturday.
Symphony of the Seas will now stop in Nassau instead of Puerto Plata, Dominicana .
Meanwhile, Holland America and Princess Cruises have no ships currently operating in the Caribbean.
Virgin Voyages confirmed that its Valiant Lady is the only ship in the Caribbean and remains unaffected by the storm.
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
A coastal storm generated a lot of drama on the high seas over the weekend for passengers aboard the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship.
It was a nightmare experience for guests aboard the Carnival Sunshine, as hallways flooded and doors were knocked from their frames.
Videos showed the Carnival Sunshine's cabins and hallways flooding as the ship hit a storm returning to Charleston, S.C.
Carnival Sunshine was returning to Charleston on Saturday after a six-day Bahamas cruise when the ship was set upon by a storm. Torrential rains flooded the hallways of the ship and rough sea ...
Passengers on the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship described 40-foot waves and broken glass during an hours-long storm off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.
Passengers aboard a Carnival cruise ship encountered "horrific" conditions as the ship nearly flooded this weekend due to a massive storm battering the coast of South Carolina.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A cruise ship that navigated rough seas off the South Carolina coast over the Memorial Day weekend has resumed sailing on its next cruise, Carnival Cruise Lines said Monday.
It's a cruise ship passenger's worst nightmare: Rough coastal storms hit the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship over the weekend, flooding some decks of the vessel and delaying its return to port.
A powerful storm hammered the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine over the weekend, leaving many passengers terrified as the rough seas rocked the ship and interior hallways began to flood. Bill Hassler ...
A Carnival cruise turned into a "nightmare" this week as the ship weathered a torrential storm in Charleston, South Carolina, ABC News 4 reports. Passengers posted videos from the Carnival ...
Carnival's ship "Sunshine" pulled into South Carolina on Sunday, and disappointed passengers shared their stories. For one couple, the start of their engagement and first cruise was described as a ...
A storm off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina left passengers terrified after it caused flooding on a Carnival cruise ship, CBS reports.
WATCH: Cruise Passengers Share Terrifying Videos from 'Nightmare' Storm at Sea The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship made it back to port safely on Saturday after being stuck in a storm between the ...
Carnival Cruise Line's Fleet Operations Center in Miami is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Ernesto in the Atlantic Ocean. As the safety of our ...
Carnival cruise passengers outraged after terrifying ordeal through storm. Passengers say most of the journey on the Carnival Sunshine was a breeze, but then the ship crossed paths with a major ...
Carnival Sunshine nightmare voyage into storm; Horrific conditions on cruise due to storm WPDE ABC15 46.8K subscribers Subscribed 379 102K views 11 months ago #ABC15 #MyrtleBeach #WPDE
Passengers aboard the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine were left distressed as large waves churned up by a powerful storm off the Southeast coast pounded the vessel, delaying its return from the Bahamas over the Memorial Day weekend.
A Carnival Cruise ship was partially flooded and destroyed after a severe storm. The Carnival Sunshine was traveling through Charleston, SC, this weekend when a severe storm moved through the area.
Passengers aboard the Carnival Sunshine ship say a severe storm with strong winds and high swells turned their vacations into a nightmare. NBC's Sam Brock reports for TODAY.
Guests and crew members on Carnival Dream were confined to their cabins when the ship encountered a severe squall in the Gulf of Mexico.
Passengers aboard Carnival Sunshine describe 'nightmare' sailing into Charleston in storm. (WCIV) Several people who cruised on the ship shared on Facebook photos and videos of "horrific ...
Carnival Sunshine's scheduled embarkation from Charleston will likely have to change to avoid the path of Tropical Storm Debby.
Passengers aboard the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship were left terrified and distressed as a powerful storm off the Southeast coast turned their dream vacation into a nightmare. The vessel ...
Some of the passengers on the Carnival Dream will have a nightmare to tell when the ship returns to port in New Orleans on Sunday. One passenger, Marla DeAnn Haase, posted pictures and video to ...
Cruise lines are changing itineraries in an effort to avoid Hurricane Ernesto. The storm brought heavy rain and wind to Puerto Rico Wednesday, leaving close to half the island without power and ...
Tropical Storm Ernesto's path through the Atlantic has disrupted two Carnival cruise ships planning to sail in the storm's track.
Carnival Pride is speeding up to maximize her time in Bermuda ahead of Tropical Storm Ernesto and will not miss the port of call.
Several cruise lines have adjusted their itineraries due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, which was impacting the northern Caribbean with heavy rain...
Carnival Sunshine was returning to Charleston on Saturday after a six-day Bahamas cruise when the ship was set upon by a storm. Torrential rains flooded the hallways of the ship and rough sea ...
You can receive daily cruise news updates directly to your inbox, so you don't miss a thing! Go ahead and Subscribe here. Carnival Cruise Line has extended the delay for Carnival Paradise due to ...