Severe storm pounds Carnival Sunshine cruise ship for 14 hours, leaving passengers terrified in viral videos
The crew from the first five decks were evacuated to the theater to rest. (Photo Credit: Twitter)
In a splashy shock this weekend, the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship had an unexpected encounter with a ferocious storm off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, US. The storm lasted 14 hours with high winds, rain and massive waves. As a result, a few passengers onboard had minor injuries and the cruise from the Bahamas got behind schedule.
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
What exactly happened
- As a result of the lightning and the cruise heading into the storm (between 80-120 kmph), glass was left shattered, there was water galore, and hallways turned into swimming pools. Water started pouring into rooms and hallways in no time.
The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm.
— Crew Center (@CrewCenter) May 28, 2023
The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MqsDJYvrSG
- The wobbly wild ride left passengers screaming as the ship started to sway sideways. Passengers described it as a roller coaster ride with no lines; complete with twists, turns, and stomach-churning drops.
Footage from the Carnival sunshine cruise 😳🌊 Video credit: 📹 TT: k8lyns_m pic.twitter.com/gu02kPXzbB
— Fascinating Today (@FacinatingToday) May 30, 2023
Now, let's talk about communication...
...or the lack of it.
- According to ABC, the cruisers were left confused after hours of no communication.
- “They left us blind,” passenger Daniel Taylor told the New York Post, “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.”
Not a good time to be returning from a #cruise to the #Bahamas on a @CarnivalCruise ship / #CarnivalSunshine 😖😫🤮🤢🚢🛳️🛟 pic.twitter.com/desoB1vmks
— James (Jim) Walker (@CruiseLaw) May 27, 2023
- The captain made one appearance on the intercom, assuring everyone that the crew was top-notch and would do their best to keep discomfort to a minimum. (Aye, aye, Captain... If only that would keep discomfort onboard to a minimum!)
- Another brave soul, Brenda Goodwin Sherbert shared their tales of broken glass and watery surprises. Apparently, a 40-foot wave crashed into the ship, nearly catapulting her out of bed.
What did the cruise liner say?
- Speaking to WCIV, a Carnival Sunshine spokesperson said that only a “small number” of passengers and crew members needed “minor assistance” after the incident and that their doctors took care of the injuries.
- “The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday (May 28)," he said, and as a result, the next 5-day voyage to the Bahamas was also delayed.
Was there a forecast?
- According to Fox Weather, the crazy storm over Memorial Day weekend was caused by a low-pressure system that the experts at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) detected earlier last week. The storm might have turned wild just before the incident.