The 8 Most Dangerous Cruise Line Companies
When cruise lines don’t put safety first, passengers can face real dangers. Wet decks, broken equipment, and disease outbreaks can all cause problems when you’re far from shore, turning dream vacations into nightmares.
If you’re considering setting sail on a cruise, it’s important to learn which companies may have the most concerning safety records. While accidents can happen on any cruise ship, these eight cruise lines tend to make headlines more often when it comes to onboard incidents:
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival is one of the most well-known cruise companies, but it also has a troubling safety history. Carnival was once fined $20 million for environmental violations after dumping plastic waste into the ocean.
The company has also made headlines with what became known as the “Poop Cruise,” when an engine fire left the Carnival Triumph without power for days. Passengers suffered through raw sewage, extreme heat, and dirty conditions.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean operates some of the world’s largest cruise ships, but size hasn’t always guaranteed safety.
The cruise line has faced several serious incidents, including:
- A tragic case where an 18-month-old girl fell to her death from an open window
- A norovirus outbreak affecting hundreds of passengers
In the window fall case, the child’s grandfather later pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, but many questioned why such a dangerous condition existed on the ship in the first place.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
NCL has reported multiple mechanical failures over the past decade, including propulsion issues that have disrupted itineraries. The company has also faced lawsuits regarding unsafe conditions leading to passenger injuries and allegations of inadequate medical care for injured travelers.
MSC Cruises
MSC has grown quickly in recent years, but its safety record hasn’t kept up with its expansion. The company has had several incidents, including a 2019 crash in Venice where an MSC ship hit a docked river boat, injuring several workers and passengers. Others have reported mechanical failures causing canceled trips.
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises, owned by Carnival, was responsible for one of the worst cruise accidents in modern times. In 2012, the Costa Concordia struck rocks off the Italian coast and capsized, killing 32 people. The captain, Francesco Schettino, abandoned the ship before all passengers were evacuated and was later sentenced to 16 years in prison for manslaughter.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, another Carnival-owned company, has faced repeated problems with health outbreaks and environmental violations. The Diamond Princess became infamous in early 2020 when over 700 passengers and crew contracted COVID-19 while quarantined on board. Before that, Princess paid a $40 million fine for illegally dumping oil waste.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity markets itself as a luxury cruise line but has struggled with safety issues, including multiple norovirus outbreaks affecting hundreds of guests, paired with inadequate medical facilities for handling serious emergencies.
The Celebrity Equinox also made the news when staff improperly stored a dead passenger’s body in the ship’s cooler instead of the morgue, raising health concerns.
Holland America Line
Holland America caters primarily to older travelers, but it hasn’t always prioritized safety. The cruise line has had problems with outdated safety equipment, inconsistent emergency procedures, and poor outbreak management.
In 2020, Holland America’s Zaandam cruise ship made headlines when multiple passengers died from COVID-19 while the vessel was stranded at sea. Several ports refused to let the ship dock, leaving sick passengers without proper medical care for days.
Know the Risks Before You Set Sail
Most cruise ship guests end their vacations without encountering serious problems, but the safety records of these eight cruise lines show there are real risks to consider. By understanding the safety histories of different companies, you can make informed choices about your vacation and better protect yourself and your family.
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