The all-electric passenger vessel, Future of the Fjords, evacuated 300 passengers after smoke was detected in a battery compartment. Fortunately, no injuries occurred. Local fire authorities prioritized the incident due to potential lithium-ion battery hazards. The cause was identified as a shorted capacitor, which overheated but did not ignite.
The Philippine Coast Guard successfully rescued 506 passengers, including infants and children, from the grounded interisland ferry Lite Ferry Five during the busy Easter Holiday travel period. The ferry, which operates between Bohol and Cagayan de Oro, ran aground just offshore shortly after departure. No injuries were reported, and a marine assessment is ongoing.
Two recent outbreaks of norovirus on Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruises ships have left over 200 crew members and passengers feeling ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 183 out of 2,853 guests and 14 out of 1,232 crew members on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 experienced symptoms of the virus.
The port of Nassau in the Bahamas has broken its record for the highest number of passengers passing through its cruise port. With the introduction of a new cruise terminal, Nassau is capitalizing on the short-duration cruise market. The port’s ability to accommodate mega cruise ships has led to a surge in visitors.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and Goundar Shipping successfully recovered a stranded ferry near Moala Island. With 245 passengers onboard, emergency response measures were implemented, and the vessel was refloated with minimal damage. Despite past safety concerns, Goundar Shipping remains committed to improving operations and passenger experience. Passengers were safely transferred to continue their journey.
The Spanish island of Ibiza is taking steps to control tourism, including cruise ship passengers, due to concerns about overcrowding and transportation issues. The Council of Mayors plans to limit the simultaneous arrival of passenger ships to two and review the cruise ship schedule to ensure more controlled and planned arrivals. Residents are also addressing housing shortages by blocking illegal tourist accommodations.
Lucy Sotherton, a 28-year-old cruise ship worker from Birmingham, shares the biggest mistake passengers make when boarding. She reveals that being impolite and rude to crew members can be frustrating. Building genuine connections with staff can lead to free upgrades and luxuries. Rudeness towards crew members can backfire, as they may not go the extra mile for disrespectful passengers.
