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P&O Cruises apologises for issues that ‘ruined Christmas day’ on new ship

New ship beset by tech issues on maiden voyage, article bookmarked.

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P&O Cruises has been forced to apologise to passengers after some claimed their Christmas Day was “ruined” by issues on the operator’s newest ship.

The operator blamed long queues and lost dinner reservations on “IT and connectivity issues” aboard the Arvia vessel.

Some tickets for the Arvia’s maiden voyage - a two-week cruise from Southampton to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands - had cost upwards of £2,500.

Passengers still onboard Arvia reported that the captain had been forced to apologise over the ship’s speaker system after some guests stood waiting in long queues or were told their Christmas dinner reservations did not exist.

Debbie Laughton told The Independent that passengers had swapped stories of loud groaning noises coming from balconies, “huge long queues” at the ship’s reception, and “bad internet costing nearly £250 per person each”, which she says “does not work at sea”.

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She echoed Mr Jones’ sentiment that the ship was not customer ready. “Cabins are breaking as we are using them. A few passengers have had the outside key pad fall off so they aren’t able to get into their room!”

“I went to ‘midnight mass’ onboard at 1:15am on Christmas morning, [and] the queue had approximately 50 people still in it,” she added.

Ms Laughton took to Twitter to complain about show rehearsals being conducted by the main pool as guests tried to enjoy Boxing Day.

“P&O have forgotten who their customers are! Yesterday was Boxing Day on board Arvia, at the Sky Dome Pool & Bar there was a 4 hour rehearsal for a show, over and over again. Boxing Day at sea should have a band playing, party atmosphere, drinks flowing! But no!! Not on the Arvia,” she wrote.

“We’ve cruised over 35 cruises [and] I’ve never seen chaos like this, and expecting people to pay full price. Disgraceful!” she told The Independent .

Meanwhile passenger Lynne Wheatley, on the maiden cruise with her husband Richard, told The Times their Christmas Day had been marred by queues.

“We waited two and a half hours and the food was awful,” she said.

“We were in a restaurant with no tablecloths — it was more like your kitchen table. I spoke to one couple who got sat down at 11pm.”

“Don’t get me wrong, the ship is beautiful,” added Ms Wheatley. “It’s a shame because it’s ruined Christmas for a lot of people.”

She said the pair had paid £5,300 for their 14-day cruise tickets.

The Arvia launched earlier this month, with the cruise operator raving about its luxurious swim-up bar, infinity pool and Altitude Skywalk ropewalk experience.

However, Gwyndaf Jones, a restaurateur from Wales, told The Times : “It’s a lovely ship, but in hindsight they were not ready to sail”.

While he said his party was “lucky” in getting their reserved Christmas dinner slot, Mr Jones criticised the wifi quality onboard, saying: “It’s the worst I’ve experienced at sea. I can’t even get my emails, let alone stream as they promise.”

On Thursday Stephen Scott tweeted P&O saying: “To be honest the 1st few days were a complete shambles,” adding, “It does seem to be getting better.”

Elsewhere, a passenger named Claire tweeted P&O to say she had had “the worst Christmas Day of her life” on a different ship, the Iona, due to two-hour queues for dinner.

“We are on Iona,” she wrote. “The worst Christmas Day of my life, was given a 8.15pm booking although have 7 children with us and then a 2 hour wait in a queue.”

P&O uses a smartphone app, My Holiday , to enable customers to make dining reservations and “join the queue” for restaurants.

A P&O spokesperson blamed “IT and connectivity issues” for the issues on the Arvia cruise ship.

“We are so sorry for those guests affected by the IT and connectivity issues on Arvia’s current cruise, which caused dining issues and restaurant delays for a proportion of guests on Christmas Day,” they said.

“This service was certainly not up to our usual high standards and we wholeheartedly apologise.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure our guests have a wonderful holiday for the rest of their time on board and enjoy all the activities, entertainment and celebrations.”

They added that no guest complaints had been received by the ship’s management about room keypads. “Should they detach for any reason, guests can still access the cabin as the mechanics will still work,” added the spokesperson.

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Old Salt Blog

A virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist rick spilman.

The Last Voyage of the Lakonia – Deadly Christmas Cruise

High Seas: The Last Voyage of the Lakonia Two nights before Christmas, the ship was in a festive mood. In the main lounge, Captain Zarbis was judging costumed contestants at a Tramps’ Ball; first prize—a bottle of white wine—had just been awarded to a 13-year-old girl in beatnik tights when alarm bells started to ring. In the ship’s cinema, where Bob Hope was cavorting on the screen with Anita Ekberg in Call Me Bwana, the audience at first thought that the ringing bells were part of the film’s plot. But the smell of smoke soon convinced them that something was amiss. Other passengers who had gone to bed early were not yet fully aware of the danger. No fire instructions were issued over the loudspeaker, and the alarm bells stopped ringing so quickly that many people thought it was only a drill.

At 12:22, shortly after Captain Zarbis gave the order to abandon ship, the last mayday message was flashed: “S O S from Lakonia. Last time. I cannot stay any more in the wireless cabin. We are leaving the ship. Please help immediately.”

More than 3,000 miles away, the distress signals were picked up by a U.S. Coast Guard station. The Lakonia’s position was immediately fed into an AMVER (Atlantic Merchant Vessel Report) computer, which plots the location, course and speed—and records such information as whether a doctor is on board—of some 850 merchant ships in the North Atlantic. Within moments, the computer’s memory drums typed out the names of five vessels within 100 miles of the Lakonia, and urgent messages were flashed to them to proceed to the stricken liner. The five were the Argentine passenger liner Salfa, the Belgian merchant ship Charlesville, the British freighters Montcalm and Stratheden, and the Brazilian freighter Rio Grande. Some were already on the way, having picked up the S O S on their own radios. The R.A.F. at Gibraltar hurriedly organized a flight of rescue planes.

Screams in the Air. At Lajes Air Force Base in the Azores, the U.S.’s 57th Air Rescue Squadron also swung into action. Shortly after the Lakonia’s last message was received, four C-54 rescue planes swung out over the Atlantic toward the flaming vessel, 3 hr. 30 min. flying time away. The planes were loaded with 42 life rafts that could carry 600 persons, 400 blankets, food and survival packages, flares of 300,000 candlepower, and six paramedics who could jump into the ocean to help passengers, if necessary.

On board the Lakonia, the nightmare was all too real. With the loudspeaker system not operating, there was near-anarchy on deck. Officers issued contradictory instructions, and crewmen milled around unsure of what to do. Screams filled the air in half a dozen different languages. Unable to comprehend the crew’s cries, passengers took charge of small groups and tried to lead them through the thick smoke to their boat stations. Pressed against the rail were scores of passengers in every variety of dress—nightgowns, pajamas, tramp costumes and evening clothes.

The water was 64°, but many of the children and the elderly passengers were soon dead nevertheless. As dawn broke, the rescue fleet, now swollen to some 20 vessels, looked out on a vast scene of lifeboat debris and bobbing bodies. Despite the calm seas, it was not easy to pick them up. The rafts and lifeboats kept banging into the windward side of the waiting merchantmen; hour after hour the arduous task continued, until at last all the living and dead were hauled aboard. On the Salta, which picked up 478 people from the sea, cognac and blankets were passed out to the shivering survivors, but the crush was so great that soon there was not enough of either to go around. The British aircraft carrier Centaur picked up 55 bodies, then dispatched a helicopter to the Lakonia to see if anyone was still on board; from the vessel, a British officer reported that the liner was a burnt-out hulk. As the rescue ships sped from the scene toward the port of Funchal in Madeira, the ruined liner was taken into tow by the Norwegian salvage tug Herkules.

Thanks to James Walker at CruiseLaw for tweeting about the Lakonia tragedy.

The Last Voyage of the Lakonia – Deadly Christmas Cruise — 64 Comments

This is an excellent reminder of the risks of seagoing. It should be sent to the propaganda – oh Marketing – Departments of ALL Cruise Lines, the CLIA, USCG Marine Safety Offices and NTSB. It is beyond time to a standard for correct and truthful advertising in the cruise industry. Disasters are a series of small incidents which combine and grow to the major event. We are seeing a very troublesome series of incidents in vessels increasing in size, complexity and the number of persons on board, now nearing 5000. Crew standards are NOT improving at the same rate according. Presently serving Officers who are greatly concerned and are contacting me more and more. NAUTICAL LOG is going to take a highly active role and will be posting on this subject during the coming year of 2011. Speculation is not a bad thing when applied logically and aimed at preventing these incidents. Sadly one fears that the major incident is about to happen most likely on one of these floating resorts with 4000-5000 persons aboard. Good Watch.

My grandparents survived this tragedy despite the fact that they floated around in life jackets for hours before they were rescued. The few lifeboats available were immediately picked up by the Greek crew who deserted the scene immediately. The fire started in the kitchen,and passengers were informed quite a long time after the fire began. There were many elderly people on board since it was a winter cruise, and many children since it was the Christmas holidays. Many people were rescued too late and died in the freezing water. My father flew out from London to Madeira, thankful that his parents had survived although they were very ill and in a hospital in Funchal. A lawsuit ensued for many years afterwards as surviving passengers and relatives of those who died fought for compensation. Most of the elderly passengers who survived, including my grandparents, continued to have health problems til the end of their lives.

Sometime about 1967 – 68 I met a man and his wife who were aboard the Lakonia on that fateful cruise. They recounted that they met a survivor of the Titanic sinking who was also on the Lakonia and who ended up in the same Lakonia lifeboat as they. This gentleman was a child in 1912 and is understood to have participated in the BBC 1962 commemorative programme featuring Titanic survivors. I have endevoured to find some record of a Titanic survivor being on the Lakonia but without success and I wonder whether anyone else has heard anything of this incredible coincidence.

I started working in Thos Cook in Berkeley Street in 1964 as a junior shorthand-typist. At that time travellers cheques were very popular as credit/debit cards were non-existent. My office dealt with those cheques belonging to both the survivors and deceased of this tragedy. I can remember each cheque being cellophaned for handling. The serial numbers were checked for ownership and then I helped prepare correspondence to customers and solicitors. Reading this article brought back many memories.

there were quite a few of my family on the Lakonia that day my auntie was never found. I have been searching for a passenger list but upto now have never found one. thanks for information. JAN

My Uncle was on the Lakonia. He was born in the North East of England. He met and married a Guernsey girl and they ran a smalll hotel in Guernsey established by her father. As they were in the hotel nudiness holidays were taken off season, he was travelling alone his body was washed ashore, I cannot remember where.

Fascinating to still read comments about this disaster as recently as just a few weeks ago. My grandparents were aboard and survived and my only recollections as a seven year old were of a photographer and journalist arriving at my parents house in Glasgow to do an article with my father about his parents being found safe and well and taken to Madeira to recuperate. Some years later we found a diary my grandfather had kept of the cruise where he alleged that many of the crew fended for themselves and had no thought at all for the passengers.

I remember that night very clearly, I was sitting at the captains table at the tramps ball with my family when an officer came to the table to report the problem, we knew there was a problem as smoke was drifting in as he came through the door. I was then 21 years old and on holiday with my parents ,sister & aunt. We were the only large party to survive intact! My father ( ex regimental sgt major& Dunkirk surviver) said ” give me a hand and we will be fine – this lot haven’t a clue” He insisted on making sure that all the woman were on the lifeboats first.

He and I left the ship on the last lifeboat when the flames were leaping 50 feet or more into the sky. He gave away our life jackets as we could swim , my mother gave him a hard time about this for years.

The life boat my mother sister, & aunt was on drifted under the bilge pumps and filled with water,my sister was hit with an oar in the confusion and was knocked out. There is no doubt that she would have drowned if my mother & aunt hadn’t held her head out of the water until she recovered her senses.

Our boat had the wireless, however the W /O forgot to bring the morse key! We also had an engine, however the officer in charge was useless , he did not stop crying. My father threatened to kick him in the nuts at one stage as he kept holding on to him and sobbing.

The 3-4 crew members did nothing to assist, the german stewards and the passengers on the other hand were great. I rowed most of the night with one of the stewards sharing an oar , my father was also rowing with another steward, some of the row locks were missing so we could not use all the oars. If you we’re there that night you may remember the parachute flares that were sent up ( that was me) I broke open the flair locker and thankfully the instructions were in English. I do believe that there were no other flares sent up that night.

We were amazed when we could suddenly see in the light of the flares dozens of people in the water, however we could not get to them – I think about that to this day – most of those people must have died that night!

At daylight we were picked up by the Salta, suddenly the crew came to life and scrambled up the ladders ahead of the passengers pThe officers of the Salta had to restrain their crew who wanted to throw them off the ship. I heard one shouting ” real sailors don’t behave like that.

I remember being given cognac and a blanket by a nun who also stuck a lighted cigarette in my mouth! ( I was no t a smoker – but it seemed impolite not to accept it).

The Salta was taking immigrants to South America, the passengers were not wealthy People ,but they and the crew .were so generous we had the best possible treatment they could under the circumstances.

My mother’s boat was picked up several hours later, she. Yelled out “get the kettle on” as she was being pulled up – as tough as nails , her sense of humour still intact.

We circled the area for a two days,picking up survivors and bodies, we ended up in Madeira. We were taken to Reid’s Hotel and stayed there for a few days including New Years Eve, t he party at Reid’s was bizarre – we were excused evening dress – Sandy Gaul the ITN reporter who was there was three sheets to the wind and kept us amused by using the rolls of film as party streamers!

Almost 50 years have passed since the incident now and this is the 1st time I have written about it, I have all the. Press cuttings and around Christmas time each year I look a t them and count our blessings.

Norman Geller

I was crew member of SS Stratheden which steamed to help the rescue of passengers but we understood that wrong ships position was provided, hence we arrived after all other vessels. The public room I worked in was stripped of all furniture and replaced with camp-beds. Our grand piano we were given to believe would be used as operating table (we had a surgeon on-board), but non of this was used due to the late arrival. Just a few seriously injured were taken aboard.

My Grandad was on the Lakonia. He was picked up from the water. He was 75 years old. He had a knee injury and always walked with a limp after that. I was 9 years old at the time and i always remember my father saying they found out he was still alive on Christmas Day.

I was on board HMS Centaur. We had just left Portsmouth for our deployment to the Far East when the engine speed picked up and we went to join the rescue. When we arrived at the scene the Laconia was still on fire and sadly we were tasked with collecting and preparing the bodies recovered for delivery to Gibraltar on Christmas Day. Our crew responsible for preparing the bodies were issued with an extra rum ration to help them in the task. For our humanitarian assistance, the Centaur, having missed the transit convoy through the Suez was allowed to transit on her own

My father ,step mother ,uncle and aunt were passengers on the Lakonia and were rescued by the Montcalm,except my uncle who drowned and I believe is buried in Gibraltar,but this has never been confirmed. Can anyone confirm this?

I was on the Lakonia aged 6 with my older brother Stuart and my parents Valerie and Alan. Thank god we all survived due to the ability of my father to find his way from our cabin to the top deck in total darkness due to the acrid thick smoke. He says that he had some sort of premonition and had memorised the route. We all held hands and felt our way. My father always maintained that it was he who raised the alarm as he was playing bridge late into the night and smelled the smoke. After reaching the top deck, I have memories of the lifeboat lowering mechanisms being seized, rusty and non-functioning. We had to cut the supporting chains at both ends of the lifeboat with axes, hoping that they would snap at the same time. I understand that some did not, and the lifeboat occupants were tipped into the sea. We spent many hours in the lifeboat. I was constantly seasick over my father before we were eventually picked up by the Montcalm. I remember holding onto the shoulders of a sailor who climbed up the net onto the rescue boat. We were taken to Casablanca from where we flew home the following day after spending the night in a local hotel. I will never forget that particular christmas and I have never been on a boat cruise since.

I was the Chief Engine Room Artificer of the arresting gear crew on board HMS Centaur and was working on the flight deck as the dead were collected by our helicopters and sea boats. I can assuire relatives and survivors that every care was taken, as far as the circumstances allowed and the dead were treated with respect. All were medically examined, photographed and dental notes were made to assist later identification. We had no body bags: all were sewn in blankets and stored in a cooled aviation weapons magazine. They were landed in Gibraltar on Christmas Day and I believe most were buried there. The effect on Centaur’s ships company seeing the dead men, women and children, was quite devastating. We had left our own wives and children a week before Christmas to get to our duty station, East of Suez, to allow HMS Ark Royal (I think) to get home for their families. Although I left the Royal Navy in 1972 and have lived 41 years in New Zealand that episode left me with lasting, not very pleasant memories. My best wishes to those attending the 50th anniversary memorial ceremonies in Gibraltar later in December.

I was also on board H.M.S.Centaur, I was 17 years of age and nearly 50 years on the events are still very much in my mind. About 6 years ago I started searching for information relating to where the victims where actually buried, and at that time there was very little information available on the internet. I eventually started to get help from Andalucia.com, I am a member of the forum and some of the members actually worked in Gibraltar so they where able to assist me. So several years have now passed since I started my quest, and I will be attending the ceremony in Gibraltar on Friday 6th December, 2013, almost 50 years after the tragedy, where a plaque will be unveiled on that day to remember that tragic time. There is much information available about the T.S.M.S Lakonia tragedy at Andalucia.com, and I can be also contacted there, if anyone requires further information. Gordon Holme

Yesterday 25th. November 2013, I spoke with Patrick Gleeson of Limerick, Ireland. Pat was the Radio Officer of the m/t. “Montcalm” and his story was published in ” The Radio Officer Story 1900-2000 – The Long Silence falls………………. Pat is a true gentleman and now in retirement lives with his wife and family in Limerick. Pat done an excellent job as a Marconiman — Christmas 1963. All Remembered 50 years on. Colman

The evening before the 50th anniversary of this disaster I’m feeling quite emotional but incredibly lucky that my family of six all survived. My mother, grandmother, sister, brother and I were in one of the fortunate lifeboats (that stayed upright) for 8 and a half hours and were picked up by the Salta. I was 13 at the time. We were taken to Madeira and stayed at Reid’s Hotel. My father swam for over 4 hours. We had the most wonderful present on Christmas Day when we discovered he was still alive.

My mother wrote an interesting 8 page account of the disaster and she would be happy to share it with anyone who would like to read it. I can be contacted at [email protected] .

Jill Tovey Somerset

I too had relatives aboard but this disaster happened seven years before I was born. My great uncle Roy Wilkinson and his wife, Elizabeth (known as Bish) were survivors but their two young boys, aged around six and eight sadly were not. They were asleep in their cabin whilst their parents dined. Nobody could get to them. It’s heartbreaking and I only found out as my son came home having been taught about this Christmas Cruise, with this year, 2013 being the fiftieth commemorative anniversary of the disaster. I knew an incident at sea had involved my family but assumed it was much longer ago than 1963 and the family had never mentioned christmastime. So devastating to find out. Earlier this month, a group of people related to the disaster met up in Gibraltar and ensured a plaque was placed to commemorate those list and celebrate those who survived. Sadly I feel now that I will feel affected every 22nd December. It’s something I wish I had known earlier in my life when I could maybe have spoken to my great uncle Roy if he felt able to discuss it.

I has two others was serving on hms centaur at the time of the disaster, they say it was traumatic for our ships company,but to hear the stories confirmed about the greek crew who left a lot to be desired in the safety of the passengers,was more traumatic for the passengers that these so called seamen didn’t have a clue, which led to this tradergy I personally have never forgot this xmas cruise my heart goes out to all the families that lost loved ones on that fateful cruise at the time I was just 19 to see all that at an early age leaves a great sadness

just brought back a very sad memory of that terrible time xmas 1963 aboard hms centaur who had the unenviable task of recovering the lost souls that perished they were treated with the upmost respect as befitting the men who servedand had the task to recover the bodies my heart goes out to those who suffered such a great loss I will never forget those lost souls who I never knew god bless to all familys

My grandmother was 65 and was a survivor of the Lakonia tragedy. All the lifeboats had gone and she resigned herself to going down with the ship. An older man convinced her to jump which she did, injuring herself terribly on the furniture in the water. But she was a very strong swimmer and swam away from the ship alone into the night. She was picked up 7 hours later by a light shining on her saying we have got you. A well as terrible facial injuries she had broken almost all the bones down one side.

Today I took a walk round our local cemetery once again reading some of the very interesting names and facts of people long gone including some relatives and a number of old friends. One grave I always visit is right at the bottom of the cemetery facing Horselunges Manor in Hellingly, East Sussex. There is a large family grave and a photograh of a woman and a small boy. The writing has faded terribly over the years, but they lived at the manor and it says they were drowned on the Liner Lakonia in 1963. I have always been intrigued and now I know their story. I can only assume their bodies were brought home. Years later it says her husband was buried there too, Major Fishenden. They face their beautiful home which is I think rather nice.

In reply to David Hollman’s post ex C.E.R.A H.M.S. Centaur. At the time of this tragedy I was serving on H.M.S. Ark Royal, and indeed it was the Ark that was at anchor in the Suez Bitter Lakes, our homeward passage delayed whilst Centaur responded to the tragedy unfolding with the Lakonia. We had sailed from Aden and whilst in Aden at anchor we had a fleet smoker ( concert put on by the ships company) with American guests onboard. The news filtered through that JFK had been shot. a helicopter arrived to take off 3 U.S. Officers back to their ship, the helicopter ditched and all five onboard were killed. So this period was uncertain and gloomy with the Lakonia sinking too. Back home on leave in the Midlands I sort to buy my first car, next to the car I eventually bought was a beautiful Armstrong Siddeley with the perforated door panels. I was told that the previous owner had perished when the Lakonia sank. Quite a coincidence and a sad reflection for me. Respects to all who lost loved ones on the Lakonia and other maritime disasters. M.G. Ex R.N.

I’d be interested if anyone connected with the Lakonia tragedy knows about one victim, Dennis Vernon, who was a US government employee.

Both my parents were aboard the Laconia and happily both survived. Neither of them ever spoke much about that time and I would really like to get a better understanding of what actually happened to them. I know they were both in the same lifeboat and the only vague story that I remember is my father saying that their boat had taken on water from bilge pumps. I think therefore it may be connected with the story from Norman Geller above and I would love to hear from him or anyone else who can fill in any gaps for me. contact:- [email protected]

I am the sister of Andy Griggs (above). After the Lakonia disaster in which both our parents survived, our father Percy Griggs organised the presentation of a plaque giving thanks to the crew of the s.s Salta in which he and our mother were rescued. The plaque was presented to the captain of the Salta at the Argentine Embassy in London and from then on was attached inside the rescue ship as a mark of respect and thanks to the crew. Many of the survivors contributed to the cost of the memorial.

I was just 10 years old when I went with my parents on the Lakonia for the Christmas holidays. My father became ill soon after we left Southampton and was in fact in the ship’s hospital at the time that the fire broke out. Because of this he was able to come on the lifeboat with my mother and I. I remember being terribly sick all over a lady’s mink coat – she was sitting opposite me in the lifeboat! We were rescued by the Salta and as my father was being pulled up the side of the Salta from the lifeboat he seemed to lose his hold and fell between both the boats. Fortunately they managed to pull him up to safety. However, once we arrived on Madeira he was taken to the English Hospital in Lisbon where he remained for 2 months. My mother and I stayed in a hotel in Lisbon – I’ve completely forgotten the name of the hotel now. When we finally returned to the UK we arrived back to our house only to find that word had got out that a ‘local estate agent was on the ship that went down in the Bay of Biscay and had been badly hurt’ and burglars had been into our house and completely cleared out anything of any value – not the best homecoming! I wish I had known about the 50th Anniversary Service I would love to have gone. Both my parents have now passed away but I still recall the events of that night. I know that I would never ever go on another cruise!

I am from Argentina. My Father Ramón was one of the Salta´s sailors . He participated in the rescue. I was 2 years old at the time. My father always told me about that moment. He received one medal for his heroism … All the rescued people joined money to give them to the rescuers..but that money was donated to an institution for help against Poliomyelitis . The rescuers did not care about medals or money … They was happy for helping … a human being helping another human being regardless of language or religion or flag.☺ ♥♥♥ Jill, I will send you an e-mail…i am intetested in your mother report Now I am supporting a facebook group to keep searching an argentine sailbout lost in the Atlantic. Here to help http://en.buscandoaltunante.com.ar/

I’ve just been reading my Grandmother’s letter to my parents on Christmas Day 1963 recounting her dramatic rescue from the Lakonia, just a few months after I was born. My grandfather was in the engine room of the ship as the test engineer for the company that made the engines. My grandmother had gone with him for the trip. She refused to leave with the other passengers as she wanted to leave with my grandfather. In the end, she was one of the last to leave, lowered down dangling on the end of a rope to a life raft dropped by one of the American planes. My grandfather fell in but was hauled aboard another raft, so they were both safe. Each raft was picked up by a different ship. My grandmother who wasn’t very tall said she had to climb netting and ropes to get aboard her rescue ship. She was taken to Madeira but then had an anxious wait to find out where my grandfather was. They were reunited in Casablanca 10 days later. They didn’t talk much about it in later years other than about the chaotic instructions that made some people think that they had time to pack their cases. In the end they lost everything they had taken and only had the clothes they stood in. My grandmother was upset at losing all her jewellery. They both lived into their 80’s.

Hi , my grandfather was on board this ship when she caught fire , he was an X SAS officer in WW2 so a pretty good swimmer , he managed to pull a large lady and a child miles in the dark to a beach , the lady died just as they reached the shore , the child survived and i always wanted to find that little boy , he never felt right after that and a year later died from a heart attack , doctor said the strain from the swim had killed him , his name was alf hebert wagstaff …from leicester…

Refernce to comments by S Gothard re Lakonia.

My parents were married in 1937 and went to Guernsey for their honeymoon. Also in 1938 and stayed at the Petite Bot hotel owned by Mr & Mrs Noble. When war came they evacuated and came to stay with us in Romford, Essex I was born March 1940 and I remember the five of us sleeping in an air raid shelter at the bottom of the garden. We had holidays there in 1947 & 1948. I thought it great playing on the German guns. My mother read in the Daily Telegraph the casualty list and Mrs Noble of Petit Bo was listed as one of them.

To S Gothard. Please contact me. on “[email protected]” My Patents married in 1937 and went to Guernsey for their honeymoon and stayed at the Hotel Run by Mr & Mrs Nobel and again in 1938. When they evacuated the Island in 1940 they wrote to my parents and asked them if they could find them accommodation. My parents replied come and stay with us then you can find your own accommodation. I was born in March 1940 and my first recoclections of life was of 5 of us sleep every night in an air raid shelter at the bottom of the garden. They went up to Newcastle to work in a munitions factory. The reason they got on so well was because my mother came from Newcastle. We h holidayed there again in 1946 & 47. My mother later read in the Dailky Telegraph about the disaster and Mr Nobel was one of the casualties,.

Bernard Reynolds, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

to all concerned i was a seamen on cargo boat MONTCALM the first mate ,my mate alf and myself spent from seven in the morning till four in the afternoon in our liveboat picking up people from the sea taking them back to the montcalm hoisting them up to the deck JUST DOING THAT WAS DANGERS then back to looking for more survivers till four in the afternoon. By the way the doctor that done the surgery on the person that had there throat cut , came from the RIO GRANDE with his wife she was a doctor to

My grandfather, Theodore Kopff, (Bremerhaven, West Germany) was a musician on board this cruise liner. Some how, someone took a picture of what was happening during those terrifiying moment at sea. He and other crew members were handling a firehose. He perished on board that ship. His final resting place is known to my mom and grand mother, who are now deceased as well. Does any one know where some of the crew final resting place are? Mel

In the January of 1964 l and number of others were in the school cloak room at Windermere Grammar School and a younger pupil “Scottie” was telling us about his experience he had lived through the Christmas of 1963 & of the disaster of the Lakonia. I can not recall his Christian name, but his parents owned a hotel in Ambleside. One thing l always have remembered was he said the crew were abandoning ship before the passengers.

Good morning. I hope you can help me. For years i have been reuniting WW2 evacuees with wartime friends. I have been contacted today by Bernard Reynolds whose family took in Mr and Mrs Noble, two adult evacuees from Guernsey, during the war. Mr Reynolds read your website about the Lakonia and saw the following comment “S gothard says: November 30, 2012 at 5:50 pm My Uncle was on the Lakonia. He was born in the North East of England. He met and married a Guernsey girl and they ran a smalll hotel in Guernsey established by her father.” Bernard is sure that S Gothart’s Uncle is Mr Noble, the Guernsey evacuee that his family took in. Would it be possible for you to pass my email address on to S Gothard, with this message, if your have his email address logged in your website somewhere? Thank you for your time in reading this email. Kind regards, Gillian Mawson, Derbyshirfe, UK

I to was on the centaur on that horrible day. I was attached to the flight deck. as LME. incharge of fuelling Acraft. hellecoptors. Etc. I do think of that day. from time to time. rest in peace.

I was 10 years old and went on a cruise with my parents and brother on the Lakonia. This was the trip previous to the tragic events of December. My brother was studying at London Nautical School and pointed out that fire drill was always carried out with the same lifeboat. All the others were painted over time and again, making them virtually impossible to lower. If a 14 year old can spot this problem, why could nobody else? Does anybody know what happened to Fritz the barman?

My grandad was on board the Lakonia. He was rescued by the Greek ship. He had damaged his knee and always walked with a limp after that. I was 9 years old at the time and I remember it was Christmas Day when we found out he was safe. He must have been in his 70s at the time because he died in 1972 aged 84.

Every Christmas from born we all cry in our house. i was not born then, however my Father was the head waiter on the Ship, he has sat us down every Christmas and has explained the whole story on how the ship went down and how the ship caught fire. during them years the true story did not come out people were to scared to talk, even until now know one really understands the truth. he saved many people as he was one of the last to get off. he even punched a fellow worker across the face as he was crying and screaming whilst helping passengers to get off. his life boat was full but he gave his place to other passengers to get on. lucky for him but not for others that boat turned over and everyone on board capsized in to the sea. safety errors from the crew. he is 78 now and still not a day goes by without him thinking of the ship. he saw friends and passengers die he gave one guy the kiss of life and kept him alive. Iv told him to write a book from his side on what he saw, he told me No because in his words YES many were saved but so many did not make it. as a mark of respect No book.

He sleeps with a photo of his best friend from a previous ship both of them smiling with the ship and sea in the background. His best friend died that night.

My parents were on the Lakonia cruise previous to the tragedy and were horrified to see the news that Christmas. Would I be right in thinking they left from Southampton ? I have a recollection ( as a small child) of going on board before the ship left port . They had absolutely loved their cruise and my mum kept copies of all the beautiful dinner menus and many other artefacts and souvenir photos until her death. Just behind me ,on the sideboard, I have a photo of my 6 foot 3 inches slim father with the diminuitive Captain Zarbis. My mother always insisted he was an absolutely charming man and felt sorry for him when he was court martialled. I was given to believe all those years ago ( and I don’t know if it is true) that the Captain was the last (or one of the last) to leave the ship. Sincere condolences to all those touched by this appalling tragedy. I am struck and deeply touched by how vividly and eloquently everything is recalled by the passengers and rescuers and by their brave stories.

I just read Frances Lulham’s post (May 15 2014)and was very moved as I had been looking on the internet for any mention of a little boy I used to play with who was drowned with his mother on the Lakonia and there was Frances’s description of the family grave that she had just visited. The little boy was Nicholas, the same age as myself, and we used to play together in the playground of a club in London our families belonged to. I think his mother’s name was Heather. She was much younger than Nicholas’s father (2nd marriage, I think) and very pretty. It IS nice to think they are all there together by their home. I have never forgotten Nicholas and what happened to him and his mother.

Does anybody recognise the name Merton J Mason, who was on the Lakonia and the list states that he died onboard the ship. I don’t know if he was a passenger or a crew member, he was aged approx 35 years old.

I was a lucky survivor with my Mum. I have loads of paper cuttings and some telexes which are amazing from the Salta to UK. Also from the Arcadia to my Father in the UK. I even have the tag with my cabin number on it, but the actual key has been wrenched off. What do I do with all this? Any suggestions welcome. Julia (Nee Morgan)

Death of Richard Burca, survivor of the Lakonia disaster. Richard, 15 at the time, was one of the sons of the manager of Reids Hotel on Madeira. He was returning home to Madeira, from school in England with his brother.

He had been ill for some time and died early in August 2015.

http://www.madeiraislandnews.com/2015/08/richard-burca.html

I hope this information is of interest to this blog.

Richard Turner

i am setting here with TERRY MOORE he was one of the crew ofthe ship and helped save ppl rescue in 1963 he now lives it altoona. p.a.- u.s.a as his friend i say GODBLESS you as a good friend he is…

My grandfather was Theodore Kopff (65) from Bremerhaven, West Germany. He was a musician on board this cruise liner. Mel, Omi would talk about this tragic day and mentioned that Opa was taken to Morocco where he was laid to rest. If anyone has any information on this, please let us know. Thank you Rob

To Cynthia Nicholas (née Neary) – posted September 2013: Was your uncle Fredric Neary? Did anyone respond to your question?

I sit here reading all these stories and it simply gives me goosebumps, my father was a crewman the night of the fire. I only today started researching more about the tragic accident and it is exactly how my father explained to us many many years ago. My father is 80 on the 27th of December he was born in Chios Greece he was 5 days away from 28. I sat next to him tonight as he was re-living the past with his sister. I would love to hear from anyone who was there or has a story, I would love to locate I think it could be the navigators son who my father saved from drowning, he handed him over in Casablanca the baby was 2-3 years old. My father also saved a lady from England he was treading water for a few hours before he was rescued. My father constantly reminds us how the lady he rescued issued an official complaint as he accidently touched her breast at the time he was trying to save her. As we all know the ship started to burn at approx 11pm it was dark he couldnt see a thing. Nearly all the survivors were placed in quarantine for about 7 days my father was made to defend himself regarding the allegation. I would love to hear from anyone. thank you

I would love if Adeline Julia Ives would contact me as my father was on the Arcadia prior to Lokonia. We live in Australia. [email protected] or +61447219113. Please wouldnt it be amazing if we could arrange a reunion.

I was on the Stratheden with my parents and brother and remember the engines going full blast during the night to reach the Lakonia (normally they were much quieter at night). We passengers were all asked to donate an item of clothing to the survivors as we were the only passenger ship in attendance. We were told that back of the ship was made into a morgue but there were no bodies taken on board.

I now know That Merton Jack Mason was a Cruise Director on the Lakonia, he was aged 41…he was, according to his death certificate, drowned. I am trying to find any survivor who remembers him, plus the place where he is buried. Anybody know ?? Jff

Having just turned 21 three days before the Lakonias distress call I was the youngest officer on the MV Montcalm. Our own voyage had not been without incident as we were caught up in Chicago in late November due to the JFK assassination. This delay combined with early winter ice setting in meant we had to miss ports in order to clear the Great Lakes before being stranded until the Spring. When we left the St. Lawrence Seaway we were unable to get alongside in Montreal due to ice and with the help of icebreaking tugs berthed in Quebec taking essential cargo we needed for stability to cross the Atlantic. Our first port was to be Casablanca and on the early morning of December 22nd we received the Lakonia distress call. Heading to the given position there was no vessel in site and were then given another position by Casablanca Radio. As we headed south it was the flames on the horizon that gave us her true position.In the three hours to get there every one was on duty getting the ship ready for the worst. Thankfully we had posted a lookout on the fo’c’sle who spotted the first survivors in the water well away from the Lakonia but in our line of drift. A second ship to the south of the Lakonia, the MV Salta had also arrived and she informed us that lifeboats were approaching them. After putting one of our own boats down to pick up those who were in the water the first two Lakonia life boats were coming alongside. I managed to take photographs of the Greek officer after catching our line tying a bottle of spirits to it and shouting to us to be careful with it. We now had over 60 survivors on board and dawn had not yet broken. As the day went on we were picking more and more up from the sea until we had 258 and unfortunately 14 who we had save but had died due injury and or hypothermia. We laid each body out on number 4 hatch just aft of the ships accommodation block and covered them up as respectively as was possible. Every cabin was given over to the survivors and the whole crew down to a man slept where they could until we reached Casablanca on Christmas Eve. The Moroccan longshore men refused to handle the dead so we took them to waiting vehicles during which time all of our cabins were looted. Life Magazine acquired the film I had taken photographs on and they appeared in the January edition in prominent pages including inside cover with my name as photographer. They also sold them to Paris Match and Der Spiegel where they hit the front cover. I will never forget the trauma and suffering of those survivors who did not know if their loved ones were alive or dead as we steamed towards Casablanca.

My father, stepmother and my brother who was only 2 at the time were on that ship, my brother had to be rescued from the cabin my dad put his wife and child on 1 lifeboat and they were saved. My stepmother’s mother was also on board and was put on a different life boat and was never seen again. My father was in the water until he was rescued he said that most of the crew abandoned ship.

It is with deep sadness that I read the passing of Radio Officer, Patrick Gleeson of Limerick. Pat served on the m/t. “Montcalm” during the SOS of the TSMS” Lakononia” of December 1963. Pat was a true gentleman. Ar dheis De go raibh an hanam. Our condolence to his family and friends. Colman J. Shaughnessy, Radio Officer Association.

My Grandmother and grandfather both perished in this disaster, leaving behind 6 children, the youngest was about 14 and so my mother and father ( a young married couple with 2 young children at the time) took on the care of her until she left school and went to university. My grand fathers body was never found and my grandmother is buried in Gibraltar. I visited her grave just 2 days ago as I was holidaying nearby and took a day day trip to Gibraltar. I never knew her as I was born 7 years after she died but I have always known about this as long as I can remember. My father has a whole scrapbook of press cuttings and other information including the original holiday brochures,booking information and paperwork that followed.

The Obituary of Radio Officer, Patrick Gleeson is published on the website http://www.radioofficers.com . “Silent Key”

Colman J. Shaughnessy, Radio Officer Association.

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I was at school in Gibraltar at the time of the tragedy. We rushed home from Spain that day in appalling weather, as my parents’ friends were coming for Christmas dinner that night. We were surprised when they didn’t turn up, so my father (Army) went into town to find out where they were. My parents’ friends were the Hambly family, and Padre Hambly (Army PAdre) was at work in the cemetery burying bodies that were landed ashore. The conditions were awful and they kept sliding into the graves owing to the rain and slippery mud. Whenever someone was identified as related to someone already buried, the latter were exhumed so that they could be buried together. A really dreadful Christmas for everyone concerned. I am not sure which cemetery the bodies were buried in, but I think they were denominational, as clergy from all religions were at work that night.

I am a BBC journalist researching for a radio programme on the Lakonia due to be broadcast this December.

I have been in touch with a number of survivors and rescuers and would be interested in speaking to anyone connected to the Lakonia disaster – including the crew or anyone who was involved in the rescue on the Salta or Montcalm

I can be reached at dan.maudsley[at]bbc.co.uk (replace [at] with the @ sign)

I’ll post details of the programme nearer the date for those who are interested in listening.

Many thanks

An update on the above post. The live Lakonia broadcast will be on 5 live Daily with Adrian Chiles on 20th December. We’ll be on air from 10am till 1pm GMT. You can listen by radio on DAB or AM (909 or 693), via the BBC iPlayer or iPlayer Radio app, or online at bbc.co.uk/5live

If you’d like to call or text while we’re on air the number to call is 0500909693, text 05850. I can be reached before the programme by email at dan.maudsley [at] bbc.co.uk (replace [at] with the @ sign).

Let me share one of the stories that has come to light ahead of the programme, from the grandson of Ian Harris. It was Ian Harris who took the pictures on board the Lakonia that appear in the Life magazine article.

See Adam Gee’s blog here: https://goo.gl/huV9B5

For those who missed today’s broadcast or would like to listen again, it is available here for the next month:

5 live Daily – with Adrian Chiles http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b085fz3n

The Lakonia coverage starts around 35 minutes in for 1hr and 25 minutes, and then again for the last 25 minutes of the programme.

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Christmas Day Cruise 'Disaster'

P&O Cruises Arvia ship

A gay couple on board the maiden voyages describes an "absolute disaster."

According to The Times passengers aboard one cruise ship's first seafaring trip were fuming over a "ruined" Christmas Day.

After booking dream vacations to the Canary Islands on P&O's new ship, The Arvia, the unhappy passengers complained about long lines, lost reservations, and not seating for dinner until after 11 pm.

In a press release earlier this month announcing Arvia's inauguration, P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow, called the ship “the latest evolution in the P&O Cruises experience," and said it "embodies the newest trends in travel, dining and entertainment and is the epitome of a sunshine resort sailing year-round to the warmest climates." He added that “Arvia is a very evident symbol of optimism for the future of the cruise industry."

But many passengers felt the cruise line had been too optimistic about launching the giant ship in time for the 2022 holiday season. Arvia is one of the largest at sea, featuring a “SkyDome” pool with a retractable roof, an infinity pool, an aerial obstacle course, 16 decks for guests and 12 restaurants.

One queer couple aboard, Dominik Scott, who reviews cruises on YouTube with his partner, Tom Hughes-Lewis, told The Times that some "teething" issues could to be expected on any maiden voyage, as operators discover new problems when its put to the test. Still Scott felt the Christmas meltdown was unusual.

"On Christmas Day we were quite lucky. Other people's day was an absolute disaster. We didn't experience anything half as bad," Scott told the The Times . "People like to stop and talk to us because they recognize us from YouTube and a lot of people aren't very happy."

A P&O spokesperson told The Times that connectivity problems "caused dining issues and restaurant delays for a proportion of guests on Christmas Day. This service was certainly not up to our usual high standards and we wholeheartedly apologize."

P&O Cruises is a favorite in the U.K. and touts its "exceptional service catered towards British tastes."

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Christmas Day disaster on P&O UK's newest cruise ship Arvia

P&O Cruises UK passengers left livid after their sea vacation was "ruined" by Christmas Day "disaster".

Passengers on the maiden voyage of P&O's Arvia ship said their Christmas voyage had been ruined due to delays with food, booking mix-ups/overbookings, and lack of connectivity.

The ship's Master (Captain Robert Camby) apologized via the PA system for the problems during the voyage, including booking errors, long waits to eat, and poor Wi-Fi.

While saying sorry to passengers on Tuesday, December 27th, he placed the blame for the problems on “IT and connectivity issues”.

Issues reported by customers (on social media platforms) and by some major British media outlets online included booking errors (mixed up or missing dinner reservations), long queues at both the Reception Desk and the restaurants (reportedly, hundreds queuing in the hallways during dinner time) and food delays (~2-2,5 hours), poor quality WiFi and lack of Internet and TV programming, cabin entry issues (some of the staterooms' keypads in the hallways fell off), laundromat floodings (due to leakages from the washing machines).

Arvia's main attraction is the "SkyDome" - an indoor pool deck fitted with a retractable roof, an infinity pool and an obstacle course.

The liner is currently on a 14-day "Canary Islands New Year Cruise" roundtrip from Southampton England .

For more Arvia incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page .

'Devastated': Passengers speak out after Bahamas-bound cruise diverted to New England, Canada over weather

Passengers had the option to cancel for future credit, the cruise line said.

Passengers of a cruise who were expecting a sunny getaway in the Bahamas this week were instead sailed to a much colder climate due to severe weather .

The MSC Meraviglia was forced to sail from Brooklyn, New York, to ports in New England and Canada on Saturday instead of its original destination in the Bahamas "due to unseasonable and rapidly worsening weather that would have made it impossible to safely reach the southern Atlantic Ocean from New York City," the MSC cruise line said in a statement to ABC News.

The move came after heavy storms struck the East Coast and the Bahamas causing flooding, power outages and several deaths.

PHOTO: The MSC Meraviglia cruise ship leaves the port of New York, on Dec. 9, 2023.

MORE: 3 dead, 600,000 without power after monster storm tears up the East Coast

"The only alternative would have been to take the more extreme step of canceling the cruise -- and thousands of people's vacations -- outright," MSC said.

"The complexities involved in obtaining last-minute berths for unplanned stops and provisioning the ship along its new route left sailing to Canada and New England as the only viable option," the cruise line added.

MORE: Northeast storm: Maine police searching for 2 missing people swept away in floodwaters

MSC also said it offered passengers a choice of sailing to the new destinations or canceling for future credit, "which allows them to put the full value paid for this cruise toward another at their convenience."

PHOTO: In this Jan. 30, 2022, file photo, people watch as the MSC Meraviglia cruise ship departs from Port Canaveral, Fla.

The MSC Meraviglia is slated to arrive in the Port of Saint John in Canada on Thursday, the port wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Speaking to "Good Morning America," Lakeya Allen, who said she arranged the trip with her best friend Val Montgomery as a joint family holiday to the Bahamas, said she was "devastated" by the divergence of the course.

"Good Morning America" airs at 7 a.m. ET on ABC.

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"So this is some of my kids' Christmas gifts," she said. "[T]his was like, 'Hey, you guys, you got to go to [the] Bahamas.' We're from Chicago, so we wanted to change the weather. I never fathomed that we will be back in cold weather."

Allen and Montgomery said they have been planning for the trip for almost a year, since last February.

"When they first sent out that message, I wish they would have given us options right in that message and we could at least have a choice," Montgomery told ABC News. "We didn't have a choice at all."

Allen also said they were given such short notice about the decision to change course, saying, "It was beyond short. Yeah, it was unexpected."

As for the cruise, Montgomery said it's getting "a little depressing because you can imagine as we’re making the most of it, but most people are walking around in coats, gloves and hats."

The cruise ship can accommodate up to 5,624 passengers and 1,608 crew members, the cruise line says on its website . It was unclear how many passengers were aboard the rerouted Bahamas cruise.

Chris Gray Faust, executive editor of review site Cruise Critic, told ABC News this kind of scenario and decision to change the cruise's itinerary is "not necessarily out of the question," and that some other cruise lines were reportedly impacted by the inclement weather.

Faust said that cruise lines typically have a "contract of carriage" clause that doesn't guarantee the ports the ship will travel to and allows the cruise operator to change the itinerary for various issues, including weather.

"Generally weather in December is fairly stable in Florida and the Bahamas, but it has been rough last weekend in particular," she said.

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How the Wreck of a Cruise Liner Changed an Italian Island

Ten years ago the Costa Concordia ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio, killing 32 people and entwining the lives of others forever.

By Gaia Pianigiani

GIGLIO PORTO, Italy — The curvy granite rocks of the Tuscan island of Giglio lay bare in the winter sun, no longer hidden by the ominous, stricken cruise liner that ran aground in the turquoise waters of this marine sanctuary ten years ago.

Few of the 500-odd residents of the fishermen’s village will ever forget the freezing night of Jan. 13, 2012, when the Costa Concordia shipwrecked, killing 32 people and upending life on the island for years.

“Every one of us here has a tragic memory from then,” said Mario Pellegrini, 59, who was deputy mayor in 2012 and was the first civilian to climb onto the cruise ship after it struck the rocks near the lighthouses at the port entrance.

The hospitality of the tight-knit community of islanders kicked in, at first to give basic assistance to the 4,229 passengers and crew members who had to be evacuated from a listing vessel as high as a skyscraper. In no time, Giglio residents hosted thousands of journalists, law enforcement officers and rescue experts who descended on the port. In the months to come, salvage teams set up camp in the picturesque harbor to work on safely removing the ship, an operation that took more than two years to complete.

The people of Giglio felt like a family for those who spent long days at its port, waiting to receive word of their loved ones whose bodies remained trapped on the ship. On Thursday, 10 years to the day of the tragedy, the victims’ families, some passengers and Italian authorities attended a remembrance Mass and threw a crown of flowers onto the waters where the Costa Concordia had rested. At 9:45 p.m., the time when the ship ran aground, a candlelit procession illuminated the port’s quay while church bells rang and ship sirens blared.

What stands out now for many is how the wreck forever changed the lives of some of those whose paths crossed as a result. Friendships were made, business relations took shape and new families were even formed.

“It feels as if, since that tragic night, the lives of all the people involved were forever connected by an invisible thread,” Luana Gervasi, the niece of one of the shipwreck victims, said at the Mass on Thursday, her voice breaking.

Francesco Dietrich, 48, from the eastern city of Ancona, arrived on the island in February 2013 to work with the wreck divers, “a dream job,” he said, adding: “It was like offering someone who plays soccer for the parish team to join the Champions League with all the top teams in the business.”

For his work, Mr. Dietrich had to buy a lot of boat-repair supplies from the only hardware store in town. It was owned by a local family, and Mr. Dietrich now has a 6-year-old son, Pietro, with the family’s daughter.

“It was such a shock for us,” said Bruna Danei, 42, who until 2018 worked as a secretary for the consortium that salvaged the wreck. “The work on the Costa Concordia was a life-changing experience for me in many ways.”

A rendering of the Costa Concordia used by salvage teams to plan its recovery hung on the wall of the living room where her 22-month-old daughter, Arianna, played.

“She wouldn’t be here if Davide hadn’t come to work on the site,” Ms. Danei said, referring to Davide Cedioli, 52, an experienced diver from Turin who came to the island in May 2012 to help right the Costa Concordia — and who is also Arianna’s father.

From a barge, Mr. Cedioli monitored the unprecedented salvage operation that, in less than a day, was able to rotate the 951-foot vessel, partly smashed against the rocks, from the sea bottom to an upright position without further endangering the underwater ecosystem that it damaged when it ran aground.

“We jumped up and down in happiness when the parbuckling was completed,” Mr. Cedioli remembered. “We felt we were bringing some justice to this story. And I loved this small community and living on the island.”

The local council voted to make Jan. 13 a day of remembrance on Giglio, but after this year it will stop the public commemorations and “make it a more intimate moment, without the media,” Mr. Ortelli said during the mass.

“Being here ten years later brings back a lot of emotions,” said Kevin Rebello, 47, whose older brother, Russell, was a waiter on the Costa Concordia.

Russell Rebello’s remains were finally retrieved three years after the shipwreck, from under the furniture in a cabin, once the vessel was upright and being taken apart in Genoa.

“First, I feel close to my brother here,” Kevin Rebello said. “But it is also some sort of family reunion for me — I couldn’t wait to see the Giglio people.”

Mr. Rebello hugged and greeted residents on the streets of the port area, and recalled how the people there had shown affection for him at the time, buying him coffee and simply showing respect for his grief.

“Other victims’ families feel differently, but I am a Catholic and I have forgiven,” Mr. Rebello explained.

The Costa Concordia accident caused national shame when it became clear that the liner’s commander, Francesco Schettino, failed to immediately sound the general alarm and coordinate the evacuation, and instead abandoned the sinking vessel.

“Get back on board!” a Coast Guard officer shouted at Mr. Schettino when he understood that the captain was in a lifeboat watching people scramble to escape, audio recordings of their exchange later revealed. “Go up on the bow of the ship on a rope ladder, and tell me what you can do, how many people are there and what they need. Now!”

The officer has since pursued a successful career in politics, while Mr. Schettino is serving a 16-year sentence in a Roman prison for homicide and for abandoning the ship before the evacuation was completed. Other officials and crew members plea-bargained for lesser sentences.

During the trial, Mr. Schettino admitted that he had committed an “imprudence” when he decided to sail near the island of Giglio at high speed to greet the family of the ship’s headwaiter. The impact with the half-submerged rock near the island produced a gash in the hull more than 70 meters long, or about 76 yards, leading to blackouts on board and water pouring into the lower decks.

Mr. Schettino tried to steer the cruise ship toward the port to make evacuation easier, but the vessel was out of control and began to tip as it neared the harbor, making many lifeboats useless.

“I can’t forget the eyes of children, scared to death, and of their parents,” said Mr. Pellegrini, who had boarded the ship to speak with officials and organize the evacuation. “The metallic sound of the enormous ship tipping over and the gurgling of the sea up the endless corridors of the cruiser.”

Sergio Ortelli, who is still the mayor of Giglio ten years later, was similarly moved. “Nobody can go back and cancel those senseless deaths of innocent people, or the grief of their families,” he said. “The tragedy will always stay with us as a community. It was an apocalypse for us.”

Yet Mr. Ortelli said that the accident also told a different story, that of the skilled rescuers who managed to save thousands of lives, and of the engineers who righted the liner, refloated it and took it to the scrapyard.

While the global attention shifted away from Giglio, residents have stayed in touch with the outside world through the people who temporarily lived there.

For months, the Rev. Lorenzo Pasquotti, who was then a pastor in Giglio, kept receiving packages: dry-cleaned slippers, sweaters and tablecloths that were given to the cold, stranded passengers in his church that night, returned via courier.

One summer, Father Pasquotti ate German cookies with a German couple who were passengers on the ship. They still remembered the hot tea and leftovers from Christmas delicacies that they were given that night.

“So many nationalities — the world was at our door all of a sudden,” he said, remembering that night. “And we naturally opened it.”

Gaia Pianigiani is a reporter based in Italy for The New York Times. More about Gaia Pianigiani

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Passenger describes panic on cruise ship after a man fell overboard: 'I instantly felt sick to my stomach'

A 41-year-old passenger fell overboard during a Royal Caribbean cruise.
A fellow passenger said he felt "sick to his stomach" after the captain announced the news.
The US Coast Guard said it ended its search for the man on Christmas Day.

A 41-year-old man fell overboard while aboard Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas cruise ship, which was headed to the Bahamas.

According to the US Coast Guard, the ship was 127 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina, when the incident occurred.

The Coast Guard said Monday that it has since called off its search for the missing person.

Watch: Terrifying video aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship that battled hurricane-force winds and 30-foot waves

Main content

Disasters at sea: Six cruise mishaps in 2023

B ecause cruise vacations are easy to plan and relaxing, it's no wonder about 31.5 million people took them in 2023, according to data from Statista.

Ranging from inconvenient to catastrophic, a tiny portion of these vacationers had their plans altered by unforeseen circumstances in 2023:

Cruises turn into ‘nightmares’ after marine life prevents entry into New Zealand

Pesky algae, barnacles, oysters and even snails prevented ships from entering New Zealand's waters three times last winter, leaving a cruise line's human passengers with significant changes to their plans.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN CRUISE IN WEEKS TURNS INTO 'NIGHTMARE' AFTER FUNGUS OUTBREAK PREVENTS ENTRY INTO NEW ZEALAND

The Seven Seas Explorer of Australia's Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet was forced to wait in open water for a cleaning crew to mitigate what New Zealand officials described as "higher than allowed levels of algae, barnacles, tube worms and potential oysters" clinging to ships, according to RNZ.

After departing from Sydney Dec. 29, 2022, passengers expected to stop at eight ports and three fjords with just three days at sea. But an American passenger on the ship told Fox News Digital passengers instead spent 11 days at sea, only visiting one port.

New Zealand officials blocked two additional ships from entering their waters due to excessive marine life on their hulls last winter. Viking Cruises ship Viking Orion was left stranded at sea for eight days in January for what the company told Fox News Digital was a "limited amount of standard marine growth." More than 900 passengers on that cruise were refunded for their trips, according to earlier reporting by Fox News Digital.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In late December 2022, a Princess Cruise Lines ship was held back by New Zealand officials for an excessive number of unexpected snail stowaways. Many passengers were dissatisfied with a $100 voucher and a voucher for 15% off future cruises they received along with an apology from the crew, per Reuters.

Bahamas-bound passengers shocked after being rerouted to frigid locations

Passengers who had packed their shorts and sunglasses for a trip to the Bahamas were shocked after their ship was rerouted to Boston, Maine and Canada over "unreasonable" weather changes.

MSC Meraviglia passengers Lakeya Allen and Val Montgomery appeared on "Fox & Friends" and recalled their reaction to the unforeseen circumstances.

"They sent this itinerary a couple hours before we were getting ready to leave to board the plane," Allen said. "I have three children, and I would have to repack all three bags. And we actually have maybe six bags or so. So, it was just too much to change, and we just left."

Initially, the ship was slated to make stops at Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, the Bahamas; and MSC's private Ocean Cay island.

The company told Fox Business that "unseasonable and rapidly worsening weather ... would have made it impossible to safely reach the southern Atlantic Ocean from New York City," and the only other option would have been "to take the more extreme step of canceling the cruise — and thousands of people's vacations — outright."

CRUISE SHIP FIRE NEAR ALASKA PROMPTS DOZENS TO EVACUATE

Engine room fire prompts more than 50 passengers to evacuate Alaska cruise ship

All 51 passengers and 16 staff members were forced to suddenly abandon their sightseeing cruise through Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park when a fire started onboard in June.

UnCruise Adventures said the fire originated in the engine room and that all the affected passengers would be compensated.

After evacuating the Wilderness Discoverer, the passengers were reportedly placed on another cruise in the area.

Eleven crew members remained onboard the ship as it was towed to Ketchikan, the company said.

Rough seas sent tables flying, left passengers ‘fearing for their lives’

Around 100 people were injured in November when their cruise ship entered rough seas off the coast of France.

Treacherous conditions caused the Saga Cruises' Spirit of Discovery ship's automatic safety systems to activate. This made the vessel suddenly shift to one side before bringing it to a stop.

VIDEO SHOWS HORRIFYING MOMENTS CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS 'FEARED FOR THEIR LIVES': 'TABLES WERE FLYING'

Five people were transported to hospitals when the ship docked in Portsmouth, a Saga Cruises spokesperson said of the Nov. 4 incident.

A thousand passengers aboard the ship were scheduled for a 14-day trip to the Canary Islands, but staff decided to prematurely head back to the United Kingdom after the unsettling incident.

One passenger told the BBC the situation was dire. Another said people "feared for their lives."

"To say 'minor injuries' is an insult to the many horrific broken bones, pelvises, lacerations, stitches etc. that were caused [to] a very old passenger clientele," the passenger said of the official reaction from Saga Cruises. "People were writing texts to their loved ones in case we capsized."

Rogue wave blows out Norwegian cruise ship's ability to navigate

The MS Maud lost power after it was hit by a huge wave last Thursday as the ship was sailing toward Tilbury, England, from Florø, Norway.

CRUISE SHIP FALL LEFT VIRGINIA WOMAN FEARING 'SHE WAS GOING TO DIE' IN FOREIGN HOSPITAL, DAUGHTER SAYS

Although none of its 266 passengers or 131 crew members were injured, crew members were forced to manually pilot the ship back to port with emergency propulsion systems, company HX told NBC News.

The wave reportedly shattered windows on the ship's bridge, causing water to enter the vessel and short out electrical components, per Reuters.

One passenger's Facebook video showed the view from her window on the vessel, in which the cruise ship creaked and bobbed amid the high waves.

Two civilian support vessels aided the ship back to port in Bremerhaven, Germany, the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Center said in a statement Friday.

American feared she would die in a foreign hospital after breaking hip on cruise ship

Denise Hammond, 64, fractured her hip and elbow in a fall on the Carnival Cruise Luminosa Oct. 4.

After doctors on the vessel took X-rays of the woman and determined she would need additional care, she was left to wait as the ship made its way to its next stop. Four days later, Hammond was brought to Siloam Hospital in Manado, Indonesia.

There, her daughter told Fox News Digital, "the hospital conditions were really atrocious," and doctors told Hammond they didn't have the proper equipment to treat her fractured bones.

"They weren't doing any scans or blood tests, giving any kind of anticoagulants. ... We were concerned she was going to die in that hospital," Rachel Matthews said of her mother's ordeal.

After receiving money via GoFundMe and working tirelessly with the U.S. embassy, the family finally hired a transport company to take Hammond to the nearest hospital that could properly treat her, located in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to the family's GoFundMe, Hammond's surgeries there were a success. However, because of the nine days she was left untreated, Matthews told Fox News Digital she needed "much more intensive surgery" because her injuries were "healing back incorrectly."

Original article source: Disasters at sea: Six cruise mishaps in 2023

The Marshall Islands flagged cruise ship "Seven Seas Explorer" anchors in Alanya, Antalya, Turkey Sept. 4, 2022. Mert Canturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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TIS THE SEASON FOR ADVENTURE

Holiday cruises.

Fill the December holidays with tropical, action-packed days and unforgettable memories. Start a new tradition with the biggest holiday cruise celebration at sea.

This year, spend the holidays in a warm winter wonderland with your favorite holiday traditions — plus some epic new ones — onboard the world’s boldest ships. Bring everyone together for Thanksgiving memory-making that the whole family will be grateful for. Sailings in December keep magical Christmas celebrations dancing through your head. And it all culminates in the hottest New Year’s Eve party at sea. So get onboard and deck the holidays with us.

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MAXED OUT IN NEW TRADITIONS

A holiday at sea is filled with epic new traditions in the making. Onboard, have a blast hanging ten on the FlowRider®* or gasping in awe at a high-diving AquaTheater spectacular. And on shore, you’ll be glad you ditched the cold for extra bold experiences from ATV jungle treks to underwater snorkel discoveries and more.

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tropical holiday fun

You don’t need snow for plenty of whoa this December. Choose an island-hopping getaway for winter fun under the sun. All of the best holiday cruises for families spend one glorious day at CocoCay.

DASH THROUGH THE WHOA

It’s the most thrilling time of the year — with exclusive adrenaline-pumping experiences you won’t find on any other cruise line. Try skydiving right on deck, take on The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides and more!

The Ultimate Abyss Siblings Going down the Dry Slide

REVELRY AND RIVALRY

Holiday time is family time. Discover incredible ways to take togetherness — and competitive spirit— to new heights. Cheer each other on while scaling the signature Rock Climbing Wall, or see who’s brave enough to plunge down the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠.

PUTTING THE SEA in seasonal favorites

Holidays onboard are decked out with everything you love most about the season. Gather 'round for a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner — without lifting a finger. Wander through a winter wonderland as the Royal Promenade comes alive with Christmas cheer. Ring in the New Year with a massive balloon drop plus sensational beats. And that’s just a taste of the celebrations in store.

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HOME STYLE HOLIDAYS

Pack your appetite — all your favorite flavors of the holiday season are onboard. Savor mouthwatering Thanksgiving staples like oven-roasted turkey and old-fashioned pecan pie. And Christmas dinner classics, like honey baked ham and homemade sides.

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LIGHTING UP THE SEA

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah, you’ll find your most treasured holiday traditions at sea — with festive tree and menorah lighting ceremonies on every sailing in December.

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NEW WAYs TO NEW YEAR

Ring in the new year with an enchanting countdown to the massive balloon drop. Plus, score an invitation to the hottest New Year’s Eve party at sea, where jam-worthy live music starts the year on just the right note.

Holiday Gifts Part of the Christmas Experience on Cruises

STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY BLISS

Need a no-pressure family getaway? A romantic beach adventure for two? Whatever style you're looking to celebrate in, you'll cruise through this year's holiday season stress-free.

Perfect Day Coco Cay Captain Jill Galleon Kids Splashing

FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE

Make sure you stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay for an action-packed adventure that everyone will love. Kiddies can splash to their heart's content at Splashaway Bay or head to the swashbuckling Captain Jill's Cannon for the ultimate pirate experience. See who's brave enough to conquer all 13 waterslides at Thrill Waterpark , or relax along the Oasis Lagoon . Get the whole family together on a hot air balloon ride and make holiday memories to last a lifetime.

Antigua Couple Romantic Embrace Vacation

BABY, IT'S NOT COLD OUTSIDE!

All you want for Christmas is a tropical vacation? Get away from holiday pressure and expectations with a romantic December cruise to the Caribbean! Explore local traditions together, swim in secret waterfalls and unwind on powdery Caribbean sands. Romantic beach picnics are just the beginning of your holiday escape.

SPEND THE HOLIDAYS ON THE BOLDEST CRUISE SHIPS AT SEA

Incredible is on the itinerary when you set sail on one of our Oasis Class cruise ships. Get your adrenaline fix with two onboard water slides, a wave park and the only boomerang slide at sea. Dash through the seas and launch into the holiday spirit with themed parties and daily shows. 'Tis the season to indulge! Enjoy one of our specialty restaurants where you'll find traditional favorites and new holiday-themed dishes and delights.

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GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The ship's crew is there to make sure you have the best holiday cruise. At the start of your voyage, take part in the time-honored tradition of lighting the massive ship's tree. Join Santa's hardest working elves for the ultimate Christmas celebration and a surprise Christmas giveaway. Get up on deck for a festive walk in support of World Wildlife Fund's Arctic programs, presented by Coca-Cola. Decorate your own gingerbread cookies and unleash your creativity with DIY ornament classes.

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Christmas at Sea: Family-Friendly Cruises for the Holidays
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COMMENTS

Cruise Passengers Say Christmas Day Was an 'Absolute Disaster ...
A rendering of the Arvia, which made its first voyage last week. P&O Cruises. Passengers on a cruise liner's first voyage said their Christmas Day was "an absolute disaster." Lynne Wheatley and ...
P&O Cruises apologises for issues that 'ruined Christmas day' on new
P&O Cruises has been forced to apologise to passengers after some claimed their Christmas Day was "ruined" by issues on the operator's newest ship. The operator blamed long queues and lost ...
The Last Voyage of the Lakonia
High Seas: The Last Voyage of the Lakonia. Two nights before Christmas, the ship was in a festive mood. In the main lounge, Captain Zarbis was judging costumed contestants at a Tramps' Ball; first prize—a bottle of white wine—had just been awarded to a 13-year-old girl in beatnik tights when alarm bells started to ring.
Christmas Day Cruise 'Disaster'
Christmas Day Cruise 'Disaster'. A gay couple on board the maiden voyages describes an "absolute disaster." According to The Times passengers aboard one cruise ship's first seafaring trip were fuming over a "ruined" Christmas Day. After booking dream vacations to the Canary Islands on P&O's new ship, The Arvia, the unhappy passengers complained ...
Passengers on a cruise liner's first voyage say Christmas Day was an
Passengers on a cruise liner's first voyage said their Christmas Day was "an absolute disaster." Lynne Wheatley and her husband Richard paid almost $7,000 for a two-week trip.
11 cruise passengers spent the Christmas weekend in the hospital after
Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images. More than 200 British vacationers spent Christmas in the Caribbean after their flight home was diverted. A plane of P&O cruisers returning home to the UK earlier ...
Cruise Passenger Had 'Worst Christmas Day of My Life' Over ...
A cruise passenger had "the worst Christmas Day" of her life on board P&O Cruises' Iona. ... said Christmas Day was an "absolute disaster," with some waiting until 11 p.m. to have dinner.
CHRISTMAS CRUISE SHIP DISASTER: Woman in 20s Presumed Dead After
A woman plunged into the Pacific Ocean from a cruise ship balcony off the coast of Mexico early Saturday. The U.S. Coast Guard said the incident, which was caught on security video, happened just after 3 a.m., KNBC reported. A passenger, Josh Zufelt, told the network the Carnival Miracle came to a stop at about 3:30 a.m., and the crew dropped a life boat into the water.
Christmas Day disaster on P&O UK's newest cruise ship Arvia
P&O Cruises UK passengers left livid after their sea vacation was "ruined" by Christmas Day "disaster". Passengers on the maiden voyage of P&O's Arvia ship said their Christmas voyage had been ruined due to delays with food, booking mix-ups/overbookings, and lack of connectivity. The ship's Master (Captain Robert Camby) apologized via the PA ...
'Devastated': Passengers speak out after Bahamas-bound cruise diverted
The cruise ship can accommodate up to 5,624 passengers and 1,608 crew members, the cruise line says on its website. It was unclear how many passengers were aboard the rerouted Bahamas cruise.
How the Wreck of a Cruise Liner Changed an Italian Island
How the Wreck of a Cruise Liner Changed an Italian Island. Ten years ago the Costa Concordia ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio, killing 32 people and entwining the lives of others ...
'I felt I was being protected in cruise disaster'
It's the only way the 101 year old Chelsea Pensioner can explain how he survived one of the worst UK cruise ship disasters which happened 60 years ago this month. Invited to go on a Christmas trip ...
TSMS Lakonia
TSMS Lakonia was an ocean liner that was launched in 1929 for Netherland Line as the ocean liner Johan van Oldenbarnevelt.In 1962 she became the Greek Line cruise ship TSMS Lakonia.On 22 December 1963 she caught fire at sea and on 29 December she sank. 128 people were killed in the disaster. In the 1930s Johan van Oldenbarnevelt ' s regular route was between Amsterdam and the Dutch East Indies.
Costa Concordia disaster
disaster. / 42.36528°N 10.92167°E / 42.36528; 10.92167. On 13 January 2012, the seven-year-old Costa Cruises vessel Costa Concordia was on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea when she deviated from her planned route at Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, sailed closer to the island, and struck a rock formation on the sea floor.
Hallmark's First-Ever Christmas Cruise Sells Out in Hours
Hallmark's first-ever cruise, scheduled to travel from Miami to the Bahamas in November 2024, promises to have lots of Christmas activities, from a tree lighting ceremony to the world premiere ...
100 cruise passengers injured as ship lurches to a halt in storm
A dream trip turned into a nightmare for the 1,000 passengers on board a cruise ship that was hit in storms, injuring 100. Saga Cruises' Spirit of Discovery ship was on its final leg of a 14-day ...
Passenger describes panic on cruise ship after a man fell overboard: 'I
Dec 26, 2023, 4:42 AM PST. Vision of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's older vessels and was built in 1998. Christopher Biggs/Getty Images. A 41-year-old passenger fell overboard during a Royal ...
The 11 Worst Cruise Disasters in History
Despite the ship being so close to the dock, it was impossible to get everyone out in time, hence the high death toll. 4. Saint-Philibert. Number of deaths - Approx. 500. The Saint-Philibert was a small cruise ship that offered cruises along the Loire River and around the northern coast of France.
Disasters at sea: Six cruise mishaps in 2023
Original article source: Disasters at sea: Six cruise mishaps in 2023 The Marshall Islands flagged cruise ship "Seven Seas Explorer" anchors in Alanya, Antalya, Turkey Sept. 4, 2022.
The 'Christmas Tree Boat' Shipwreck That Devastated 1912 Chicago
Marine archaeologists are beginning to understand what really happened to Captain Santa's ill-fated ship. by Jonathan Feakins December 13, 2023. Nicknamed the "Christmas Tree Boat," the ...
Viking Var Review
Christmas Cruise Disaster in Germany. Review forEurope River Cruise on Viking Var. MizAlica. 2-5 Cruises • Age 30s. Rating by category. Cabin. Value for Money. Embarkation. Dining. Public Rooms.
Holiday Cruises: Best Holiday Cruise Deals
HOLIDAY CRUISES. BOOK NOW. Fill the December holidays with tropical, action-packed days and unforgettable memories. Start a new tradition with the biggest holiday cruise celebration at sea. This year, spend the holidays in a warm winter wonderland with your favorite holiday traditions — plus some epic new ones — onboard the world's ...
Very Merrytime Cruises
For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern time; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Delight in a jolly fusion of holiday-themed entertainment and décor during Very ...