cruise ship windows break

Massive rogue wave smashes cruise ship windows, kills U.S. passenger

• Updated: Dec. 03, 2022, 8:57 a.m. |
• Published: Dec. 03, 2022, 8:11 a.m.

The damage to the Viking Polaris ship shows as it is anchored in waters of the Atlantic Ocean in Ushuaia, southern Argentina, on December 1, 2022. (Photo by Alexis Delelisi / AFP) (Photo by ALEXIS DELELISI/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images

• The Associated Press

A U.S. woman was killed and four other passengers injured when a massive wave struck the Viking Polaris cruise ship while the 231-foot long vessel was sailing in southern Argentina on an Antarctic cruise, authorities said.

The 62-year-old woman was hit by broken glass when the wave broke cabin windows late Tuesday during a storm as the ship sailed toward the port of Ushuaia, Argentine authorities said. The ship suffered limited damage and arrived in Ushuaia, 1,926 miles south of Buenos Aires, the next day.

“It is with great sadness that we confirmed a guest passed away following the incident,” Viking said in statement. “We have notified the guest’s family and shared our deepest sympathies.”

Neither the statement nor the Argentine Naval Prefecture identified the woman or her hometown.

Viking called it a “rogue wave incident” and said the four other passengers’ injuries were not life-threatening.

The cruise ship was anchored near Ushuaia, where a federal court has opened a case to determine what happened.

The company indicated on its website that to explore remote regions of the world they have “two purpose-built, state-of-the-art small expedition-class ships: Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.”

The Viking Polaris, a vessel that has luxury facilities and was built in 2022, has capacity for 378 passengers and 256 crew members.

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'Rogue wave' kills US passenger on Antarctic cruise ship, injures four others

One person has died and four have been injured after a massive wave smashed into an Antarctic cruise ship during a storm, while sailing off the southernmost tip of South America.

Key points:

• Authorities say a 62-year-old woman from the US was hit by broken glass when a wave broke cabin windows
• Four other tourists sustained "non-life-threatening injuries" and were treated onboard
• The ship suffered minor damage and was anchored off Ushuaia, 3,200 kilometres from the capital Buenos Aires

The 62-year-old woman from the US was hit by broken glass when the wave broke cabin windows late Tuesday during a storm, Argentine authorities said.

The Viking Polaris cruise ship was sailing towards Ushuaia in Argentina -- the main starting point for expeditions to Antarctica -- when there was "a rogue wave incident," a representative of the Viking cruise company said in a statement.

"It is with great sadness that we confirmed a guest passed away following the incident. We have notified the guest's family and shared our deepest sympathies," the statement said.

Four other tourists "sustained non-life-threatening injuries" and were treated onboard.

The ship suffered minor damage and was anchored off Ushuaia, 3,200 kilometres from the capital Buenos Aires, with several windows smashed on the side, AFP journalists reported.

A federal court has opened a case to determine what happened. Viking said it was also "investigating the facts surrounding this incident."

Scientists often refer to rogue waves as extreme storm waves that surge out of nowhere, often in an unpredictable direction, and can look like a steep wall of water, up to twice the size of surrounding waves.

These rare killer waves were once seen as a myth reported by mariners or explorers.

The polar explorer Ernest Shackleton wrote in his book of a "gigantic" freak wave he encountered in Antarctica in 1916.

However, scientists have learned more about them in recent decades, studying how they emerge and how to predict the wall of water that can surge up even in calm seas.

The Viking Polaris was launched in 2022 and is the newest ship in the company's fleet, with a capacity for 378 passengers and 256 crew members.

The incident comes two weeks after two tourists died on another Antarctic cruise.

The two men, aged 76 and 80, had left the World Explorer ship for an excursion on an inflatable zodiac boat that overturned near the shore.

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Norwegian cruise ship loses ability to navigate after rogue wave hits

A Norwegian cruise ship lost the ability to navigate after a rogue wave crashed into it Thursday, the cruise company HX said.

The MS Maud lost power after the wave hit as the ship was sailing toward Tilbury, England, from Florø, Norway, HX, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, said in a statement.

None of the 266 passengers or 131 crew members were seriously injured, HX said.

"The situation is stable, the ship has propulsion and they are able to navigate the ship manually via emergency systems," the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said in a statement Friday local time.

The rogue wave shattered windows on the ship's bridge, which caused water to enter the vessel and resulted in a power outage, Reuters reported.

The ship was in the North Sea at the time, in an area hit by a storm late Thursday with hurricane-force gusts forecast to continue Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said according to Reuters.

One passenger posted a video on Facebook showing the view from her room's window Thursday with the cruise ship bobbing up and down and creaking in the throes of high waves. 

Because of a lack of navigational abilities, the ship had to be steered manually from the engine room, per the news agency.

Two civilian support vessels are aiding the ship in its journey to port, Danish rescue authorities said.

The ship, traveling under its own power, is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany, for disembarkation, HX said in an updated statement Friday.

“Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route. Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place and we always prioritize the safety of those onboard,” HX said.

"Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard," the statement added.

Irene Byon is a booking producer for NBC News.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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1 dead, 4 injured after huge 'rogue wave' smashes into cruise ship window, cruise ship terror 1 killed, 4 injured ... after massive wave smashes into ship.

A terrifying ordeal on the water has left one cruise passenger dead and another 4 injured after a MASSIVE "rogue wave" smashed the side of the ship, busting out several windows.

Viking's Polaris cruise ship was heading towards Ushuaia, Argentina Tuesday night when the deadly wave hit the side of the boat during a storm. Viking says one guest -- who was reportedly a 62-year-old woman -- died because of the incident.

The company also says 4 other guests sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by medical staff onboard.

One passenger on the ship during the huge wave crash told WRAL the massive blow felt like "we hit an iceberg." Several windows were left shattered, and Viking says the ship "sustained limited damage."

The company says its main focus remains on the safety of its passengers ... adding it's decided to cancel the Polaris' December 5 "Antarctic Explorer" voyage.

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Norwegian Cruise Ship Loses Navigation Ability After 'Rogue Wave' Smashes Control Bridge Windows

The Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud, carrying 266 passengers and 131 crew members, suffered a power outage.

Fraser Gray/Shutterstock

A Norwegian Cruise Ship lost its navigation ability in the North Sea on Thursday after a rogue wave smashed its control bridge windows.

According to Reuters , Danish authorities and the ship's owner revealed on Thursday that the Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud, carrying 266 passengers and 131 crew members, suffered a power outage.

Meanwhile, Danish Joint Rescue Coordination confirmed that no one was harmed and the passengers and crew members were safe.

“There is no power on the ship,” the center’s spokesperson told the outlet. “The main engine is functioning but the navigation systems and radars are not." 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

The center added that water entered the ship after strong winds smashed the vessel's windows while it had sailed around 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) off Denmark's west coast and 330 kilometers (205 miles) off Britain's east coast from Florø, Norway on Thursday. It had been due to arrive in the UK’s Tilbury on Friday.

“Earlier this afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave,” Hurtigruten, Norwegian coastal ferry service and cruise line, said in an emailed statement, per The Guardian . 

“At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious passenger or crew injuries have been sustained as a result of the incident and the condition of the ship remains stable,” they added.

According to multiple reports, rescue company Esvagt’s support vessels helped the ship navigate until it could be pulled to port. This occurred after the vessel was manually steered from the engine room.

Per NBC News , the ship is being aided to port by two civilian support vessels and is currently traveling to Bremerhaven, Germany.

“Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route,” cruise company HX said in a statement on Friday, per NBC News. “Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place and we always prioritize the safety of those onboard.”

They also added that their team is arranging the travel for guests onboard to return home.

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'Rogue wave' strikes Antarctic cruise ship, leaves 1 dead and 4 injured

The Viking Polaris ship was sailing toward Ushuaia, Argentina, at the time.

An American passenger on an Antarctic cruise died and four other guests were injured after their Viking ship was struck by a "rogue wave," officials said.

The incident happened on Tuesday around 10:40 p.m. local time while the Viking Polaris ship was sailing toward Ushuaia, Argentina, Viking said.

MORE: Carnival cruise passenger who went overboard was 'dead set' on surviving

A guest died following the incident, Viking said, though did not share further details on the cause of death. The victim's family has been notified, the company said.

The passenger killed was a U.S. citizen, a State Department spokesperson confirmed to ABC News Friday.

"We are offering all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment," the spokesperson said.

The victim was confirmed as Sheri Zhu, 62, by Secretary of the Ushuaia Federal Court Melina Rodriguez.

Four other guests sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and were treated by the ship's doctor and medical staff, Viking said.

"We are investigating the facts surrounding this incident and will offer our support to the relevant authorities," Viking said in a statement Thursday. "Our focus remains on the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew, and we are working directly with them to arrange return travel."

The ship sustained "limited damage" from the rogue wave and arrived in Ushuaia on Wednesday "without further incident," Viking said. Images taken of the docked ship showed several damaged windows.

Passengers on board the ship described choppy conditions leading up to the incident.

Californian Beverly Spiker told ABC News that a "huge smash" against the window of her and her husband's cabin caused her window frame to break.

"Clearly something big had happened," she said. "A lot of water came shooting in."

"Luckily, our windows did hold," she added, though said other rooms on their side of the ship were "washed out."

Spiker's cousin, Suzie Gooding, of North Carolina, told ABC News that at the time, the ship was going through the Drake Passage, "which is well-known for having turbulent seas."

Gooding said despite the conditions outside looking "horrible," the inside was "like a normal cruise ship" leading up to the incident. She said she felt a "sudden shudder" that caused cabinets to open.

"It was just unbelievable," she said. "At the time that it happened, we personally wondered if, you know, we knew that we weren't by any icebergs, but it's like, did we hit an iceberg? It just was so sudden."

Spiker said she and other passengers were "shook up" afterward.

"No matter what side of the boat you're on, it was felt throughout the ship that clearly something bad had happened," she said. "So everybody was pretty shook up."

MORE: Passengers hurt aboard Norwegian cruise ship after unexpected wind strikes: I felt 'like we're going to die'

The ship is docked as passengers await further travel plans from Viking, according to Gooding, who said that two other ships in their bay in Ushuaia were also damaged, possibly by rogue waves.

The Viking Polaris ship's next departure for the Antarctic, scheduled for Dec. 5, has been canceled "after careful consideration," the cruise line said.

Rogue, or extreme storm, waves are "greater than twice the size of surrounding waves" and are "very unpredictable," according to the National Ocean Service .

Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of South America, is a common starting point for cruises to Antarctica.

ABC News' Matthew Seyler contributed to this report.

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Windy weather caused two MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line ships to break from their moorings.

MSC Sinfonia broke away from the moorings at the pier while in port in Syracuse, Italy, on Saturday. The ship was blown into a nearby marina due to “extremely high” wind gusts reaching over 70 knots – around 80 miles per hour – cruise line spokesperson Field Sutton said.

“The ship was in lay up without any passengers on board and no injuries were reported,” Sutton said in an emailed statement. “MSC Sinfonia has been safely returned to her mooring with the assistance of tugboats.”

MSC is working with port authorities to assess possible damage.

The incident comes after one of Norwegian Prima’s moorings detached in Galveston, Texas on Friday due to high wind gusts. “All guests and crew were safe and there were no reported injuries,” a Norwegian spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The cruise line did not specify the wind speeds, but there were gusts detected at Scholes International Airport as high as 47 and 39 miles per hour, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. The airport is located about six miles from the Port of Galveston. 

The gusts were part of a line of strong thunderstorms that moved through the Galveston area on Friday morning that brought heavy rain and lightning. “I think it's fair it's fair to say that, in summary, it was very stormy on Friday morning,” Porter told USA TODAY.

The ship had returned from a week-long cruise with stops in Mexico, Belize and Honduras, according to CruiseMapper . The vessel departed on its next sailing later that day as planned.

Prima previously broke from its mooring ropes in Zeebrugge, Belgium, in July because of wind.

Stewart Chiron, a cruise industry expert known as The Cruise Guy, told USA TODAY at the time that those kinds of incidents are “very rare” but have happened in extreme weather.

What is wave season?: Why you should book your next cruise now

Weather conditions at each port are also monitored in advance. “The cruise lines are always assessing these matters and mitigating the risks,” he said in an email. “If it's (deemed) unsafe, they take appropriate action so passengers can focus on their vacations. Unfortunately, they don't control the weather.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected] .

15 cruise ship rules you shouldn’t break

Are you a rule follower or do you like to cross the line when it suits you? Some travelers are good at doing what they're told, while others see vacation as the time to live it up how they see fit, regardless of any official policies. On a cruise ship, rules are plentiful – spanning from what you can bring on board to how and where you can enjoy yourself. Some rules will feel constraining, and you'll be tempted to break them.

Please don't. Most cruise ship rules were created with your health and safety in mind, and flouting them could put you and your shipmates in danger. Not to mention, getting caught could ruin your cruise with steep fines and possibly a forced debarkation.

If you're tempted to be a little naughty, first educate yourself on the ramifications of your actions. Here are 15 cruise ship rules you shouldn't break — and what might happen if you do.

For cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

No smoking indoors or on balconies

The rules are strict when it comes to smoking on cruise ships . Most cruise lines ban cigarette use in most indoor areas, as well as on cabin balconies and public outer decks. You can smoke only in designated areas, usually one or two areas of the top decks or exterior promenade and perhaps one side of the casino or a cigar bar.

Why? Lighters and cigarette ash are fire hazards, and deadly cruise ship fires have been started by wayward sparks from cigarettes. No cruise line wants to take that risk. Get caught breaking this cruise ship rule and you'll be fined $250 or more, with the possibility of debarkation.

No underage drinking

The drinking age on cruise ships is either 18 or 21, depending on the line and sailing region. With so much cruise ship entertainment centered on drinking, it's tempting to slip your responsible teen a fruity daiquiri or a cool beer. Enterprising minors have also been known to find ways to access alcohol while their parents aren't paying attention.

You might not think a drink or two is harmful, but drunk teenagers could fall victim to sexual predators or engage in reckless behavior that could lead to them falling and hurting themselves — or even falling overboard . Even if the drinking itself doesn't have a bad outcome, underage drinkers or adults who provide alcohol to minors can find themselves thrown off the ship at the next port of call if caught.

No sneaking drugs or alcohol on board

Whether you're underage or not, on the big-ship cruise lines, you're also not allowed to bring liquor, beer or drugs on board; policies on wine and Champagne vary . Contraband booze will be confiscated if discovered, and you might not get it back.

Bring illegal drugs on board and you risk fines, disembarkation and jail time. You're not allowed to bring marijuana on a cruise , even if it's legal in your departure port or port of call. In those cases, you can enjoy some recreational use on land — but don't try to bring pot or edibles back as a souvenir.

You must attend the safety drill

Avid cruisers roll their eyes when asked to attend yet another safety drill, often called a muster drill . On the first day of every cruise you take, you must attend a safety briefing in person or via video, then report to your muster station, the place where you would gather in case of an emergency. The drills sometimes interrupt the flow of the first-day cruise fun, and everyone grumbles about going.

Do not think you can hide in your cabin and avoid the chore. Public areas on some ships close down, and staff members check cabins during in-person musters. Those who don't attend will be forced to attend a makeup drill — or forced to get off the ship in the next port of call.

Report your symptoms on the health form

Before you board any cruise ship, the pier-side staff will hand you a health questionnaire, asking if you've experienced any symptoms in the past few days or if you've been exposed to COVID-19. You can lie about your scratchy throat or upset stomach, and likely nothing will happen to you.

However, you could be responsible for getting someone else sick — perhaps someone whose immune system isn't as robust as yours and whose vacation will get derailed by a few days spent sick in bed. An outbreak of norovirus or COVID-19 on board might mean that certain venues get shuttered or activities curtailed for the entire ship. No one wants that.

Return by all-aboard time

Are you always running late or do you view deadlines as suggestions? You'll need to change your mindset on a cruise.

The captain is serious when setting the all-aboard time, which is when everyone needs to be on board before the ship departs. After that time, the crew starts to pull in gangways and prepare the ship to leave. Occasionally, the captain will hold the ship for a few wayward passengers, but more often than not, latecomers race down the pier to find the ship sailing away without them.

No guests in crew areas

Binge-watch old episodes of "The Love Boat," and you might come on your cruise vacation hoping for a shipboard romance. On a modern cruise, don't expect a tryst with the cute bartender, smart officer or gorgeous lounge singer. Crew members are not allowed to fraternize with guests or invite them into crew quarters.

An illicit affair with a crew member might not leave you with more than a broken heart, but the crew member could lose his or her job for breaking this serious cruise ship rule.

No diapered kids in the pools

When the sun is blazing in the Caribbean, everyone wants to cool off in the cruise ship pools. But read the sign: Your diapered baby or toddler is not allowed.

Why? One diaper containment failure and that pool or hot tub must be closed down, drained and disinfected, taking it out of use for several hours, if not a full day. Instead, if you're traveling with a little one, look for ships with designated splash areas for kids in diapers or bring an inflatable bathtub for bathroom-based water play.

No reserving lounge chairs

Want to incur the wrath of your shipmates? Show up at the pool deck early, reserve a few lounge chairs with your book or flip-flops, and don't return until after lunch.

It's against the rules to claim loungers as your own if you're not using them , as it prevents other guests from accessing them. Unless you believe in karma, the worst that will happen to you from breaking this rule is that ship staff might remove your items if left too long. However, you will get nasty looks from your onboard neighbors.

No climbing on railings

Do not climb your balcony rungs like a ladder and perch atop its railing. Do not lean out open windows looking for the best photo opp. Do not play Jack and Rose from "Titanic." Do not try to cross from your balcony to the one next door by swinging over the side of the ship. All of these actions are against the rules because they put you at risk of falling over the side of the ship. Not worth it.

No rowdy behavior

Cruise lines have codes of behavior in the contract each passenger signs when booking a cruise. Start a bar fight, harass the people next to you on the pool deck or assault a crew member, and you could find yourself thrown in the brig (i.e., cruise ship jail) . You could also get fined, disembarked from the ship or banned from the cruise line. Better to mind your manners.

No taking food off the ship

Some ports of call have regulations preventing the transport of food (usually produce and meat, not sealed, pre-packaged foods) off the ship and onto their shores. This is usually to prevent harmful insects and diseases from spreading. Some ports employ food-sniffing dogs, and workers will confiscate the sandwich you made for lunch or the apple you brought for a snack. You might also be subject to a fine.

No open flames or fire hazards

Remember the no smoking on cruise ships rule? The prohibition also applies to other fire hazards. You cannot light candles on a cruise ship (even for religious holidays) or bring electronics with heating elements, such as tea kettles, coffee makers or certain hairstyling appliances. Explosives and fireworks are right out. Even power strips with surge protectors are not allowed. Bring banned items aboard, and they will likely get confiscated for the duration of your cruise.

Tech-savvy photographers are all about drones these days, and anyone with a love of electronic gadgets has hopped aboard the craze, flying them on beaches or in parks. You can see how drones would take excellent cruise ship footage, but you'll need to curb your enthusiasm.

Most cruise ships have rules banning drones from coming aboard, or if they're allowed, they can only be used off the ship in port, in compliance with local regulations. Try to sneak a flight from your balcony, and your drone will be confiscated.

Cruise lines are clear that they do not want any weapons on board. That includes firearms, pellet guns, tasers, knives, open razors and ammunition. Your dive knife and large scrapbooking shears are allowed on board, but ship security will hold them and you can check the items out at select times. Any dangerous items discovered on board will be confiscated and disposed of, and you won't receive any compensation.

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• Carnival Cruise Lines

Do Ocean View windows or portholes open?

By Eli_6 , December 23, 2022 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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In another group, someone on the Vista posted a letter they got from Carnival that they would be locking balcony doors and OV windows and portholes due to rough seas tonight.  I understand the balconies, but do OV windows even open???

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2 hours ago, Eli_6 said: In another group, someone on the Vista posted a letter they got from Carnival that they would be locking balcony doors and OV windows and portholes due to rough seas tonight.  I understand the balconies, but do OV windows even open???

Porthole cabins are on lower decks so it's about double sealing the windows so no leaks occur. 

I could only imagine the mess cruise lines would have on their hands if they did open. "Idk what happened. The windows leaked (When I left all day with it open), and now I need a new room NOW!"

Jasonsterling

No. That letter referred to steel panels they bring out to reinforce those lower deck windows in extremely rough weather. The same is true of Cove Balcony rooms. If the sea are rough they'll seal those opening behind steel plates. I assume in case a wave broke the glass.  

9 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said: I assume in case a wave broke the glass.  

this is why they cover the windows. earlier this month a viking ship had its windows shatter causing injury: https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/12/massive-rogue-wave-smashes-cruise-ship-windows-kills-us-passenger.html

13 hours ago, Elaine5715 said: No, but some have interior windows that lock 

To use your photo as an example, a "port hole" is a round window on a ship that opens.  What you have on cruise ships are "port lights", or round windows that  do not  open.  But, in lower decks, both round and rectangular fixed windows (and even port holes, if there were any) are fitted with " dead lights ", which are typically bronze plates to cover the opening should the glass break.

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said: To use your photo as an example, a "port hole" is a round window on a ship that opens.  What you have on cruise ships are "port lights", or round windows that  do not  open.  But, in lower decks, both round and rectangular fixed windows (and even port holes, if there were any) are fitted with " dead lights ", which are typically bronze plates to cover the opening should the glass break.

"Port light" cabins just don't have the same charm as "porthole cabins".  And we, learned sumthing new!

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Freak waves smash windows, flood cabins, terrify passengers on cruise ship.

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BARCELONA, Spain — Freak waves that smashed into a Mediterranean cruise ship flooded people’s cabins, broke windows in a restaurant and sent terrified travelers screaming for doctors, passengers said Thursday.

RAW VIDEO: Chaos engulfs the cruise liner

Claude Cremex, 73, of Marseille, France said he was in his cabin resting because of rough seas when the walls of water hit the Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty, which was carrying 1,350 passengers and 580 crew members off the coast of northeastern Spain.

The ship’s owner and operator, Louis Cruise Lines, said the vessel was struck Wednesday by three “abnormally high” waves more than 33 feet (10 meters) high that broke glass windshields in the forward section. Two people died and 14 were slightly hurt, the company said.

Large waves are common in the Mediterranean but ones that size occur only once or twice a year, said Marta de Alfonso, an oceanographer with the Spanish government.

Cremex said he did not see the waves himself but later viewed the damage. “It was spectacular,” he told The Associated Press as the ship sat docked at Barcelona’s port with passengers sunning themselves on deck the day after the accident.

“A lot of water came in. Many cabins were flooded,” said Cremex, who was traveling with his wife. “Many people were very frightened.”

“Suddenly we saw a wave that went up above our level, and I said to my husband, ’tonight we will not have to wash the windows,’” said Claudine Armand of France, who was in her cabin at that point. “Right then we heard we heard a loud noise, and it was the wave that hit us.”

“When we came out of the room we saw the wave had flooded everything,” she told Associated Press Television News.

Pierre Languillon, also of France, said damage was extensive and he saw many people with superficial injuries.

“They called for doctors, as many doctors as there were. Luckily nothing happened to us, but I think we averted a catastrophe.”

Louis Cruise Lines spokesman Michael Maratheftis said 14 passengers who suffered only minor injuries were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Arrangements have been made to fly all 1,350 passengers back home Thursday and the ship will carry on with its normal cruise schedule later this month after repairs are completed, he told the AP from Cyprus.

Maratheftis said the two dead passengers suffered fatal injuries from the glass shards and ripped-out window frames and furniture.

“It was three waves, one after the other. The damage was done by the second and the third waves. We are talking about waves that exceeded 10 meters in height. This was unforeseen and unpredicted because the weather was not really that bad,” Maratheftis said.

De Alfonso said there was a big storm in the area at the time and the waves might have been stirred up by fierce winds. Waves often come in threes, she said.

A Louis Cruise Lines statement said the waves smashed windows in a public area on deck 5 on the forward part of the vessel. It said the passengers killed were German and Italian.

The ship was on a 12-day cruise from the ports of Genoa and Marseilles in the western Mediterranean, calling at Tangiers, Casablanca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Cadiz, Cartagena, Barcelona and had been due to return to Genoa on Thursday.

“Louis Cruises extends its sincere condolences to the families of the two victims and its full support to the injured passengers while expressing its deep sorrow for the incident,” the statement said.

Maratheftis said many passengers have already left the ship to return home.

Louis Cruise Lines’ Web site says the ship is 680 feet (207 meters) long, and features 10 passenger decks and 732 staterooms along with various bars, pools, restaurants and shops.

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Chaos as 26 barges break free and float down Ohio River near Pittsburgh

One barge still remains unaccounted for as of saturday afternoon, article bookmarked.

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More than two dozen barges were free-floating down the Ohio River , causing the closure of at least one bridge in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania metro area.

Just before midnight on Friday, 26 barges broke loose in the Ohio River near the major city , according to a statement from the US Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District.

Now 23 barges are secure, with authorities working on Saturday afternoon to lock down two more, a public information officer for the US Coast Guard Eighth District told The Independent.

Meanwhile, one barge remains unaccounted for as of 2 pm local time on Saturday. The cause of the barges coming loose is still unknown.

In response to the chaos, authorities closed the McKees Rocks Bridge, just outside of Pittsburgh , for about eight hours beginning at midnight. The city of Pittsburgh initially announced they had closed the West End Bridge, but The New York Times reported a Public Information Officer later clarified the bridge never closed. The news comes just weeks after a bridge collapsed in Baltimore when a ship rammed into it, killing six people.

Of the loose barges, 23 are carrying dry, non-hazardous materials, while the remaining three are empty, according to a statement from Pittsburgh Public Information Officer Cara Cruz.

No injuries were reported. However, Peggy’s Marina — a family owned and operated harbour, according to their website — sustained “extensive damage,” Ms Cruz said.

This isn’t the only Ohio River disaster Pittsburgh residents have faced in recent days.

On Friday, about three inches of rain fell on the Pittsburgh area, causing dangerous flash flooding throughout the region . The downpour spurred several emergency evacuations and rescues. Some parts of southern Allegheny County, Pennsylvania saw up to four inches of rain.

As of Saturday, no injuries have been reported as a result of the extreme weather.

The Independent has contacted the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office for comment.

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26 barges break loose on Ohio River, cause damage to a marina

PITTSBURGH — An investigation is underway after 26 barges broke loose on the Ohio River.

Pittsburgh Public Safety says police, fire and EMS responded to a report of barges breaking loose and floating uncontrolled down the Ohio River around 11:25 p.m.

Police say 26 barges broke loose, 23 of which were loaded with dry cargo. None of the barges had hazardous materials on board.

As the barges went down the river, they crashed into floating docks at Peggy’s Marina, causing “extensive damage.”

PHOTOS: Loose barges damage Ohio River marina

Harry Henninger used to dock his boat at this Northside marina.

“We think Peggy’s is an institution to Pittsburgh, I’m just down to see if the gas dock is there and their support systems are here,” Henninger said. “These are peripheral docks that could be somewhat easy to replace.”

Of the barges that broke loose, 11 are pinned against the bank by Brunot Island and are being held by a tugboat. The other 14 continued down the river.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , nine barges stopped at Emsworth Locks and Dams. Four other barges went over Dashfields Locks and Dams in Moon Township before being secured. Of the barges at Emsworth, an empty one sank and another broke free because of the river conditions.

The Sewickley Bridge shut down on Saturday after the barge broke free.

“We design our locks and dams to be able to withstand any type of barge damage that could happen,” said Nicolas Melin, Commander of Pittsburgh District Army Corps of Engineers.

The barges are owned or operated by Campbell Transportation Company, which is just downstream of the West End Bridge.

The loose barges shut down the McKees Rock Bridge, Sewickley Bridge and West End Bridge for hours, and also temporarily stopped trail traffic to Brunot Island.

“Well, right now the situation is under control. So, there are no barges that are moving. Everything has been secured,” Melin said.

Several agencies, including the Coast Guard, Pennsylvania State Police, local law enforcement and local fire departments have been notified of the incident and are investigating.

The role of high water conditions and windy weather is still being determined.

“Well, certainly those conditions are present. If you look back historically during high wind and high water conditions, barge breakaways. That’s when the potential for them to happen,” Melin said.

The barges will be removed when the high water comes down, and then the dam will reopen to commerce traffic.

There were no reports of people hurt because of the loose barges.

WPXI reached out to the Coast Guard and Campbell Transportation Company for more information but has not yet heard back.

This is a developing story that will be updated as Channel 11 learns more.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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Which Disney Cruise Ship is the Best? Everything You Need to Know.

Wondering which Disney Cruise ship is the best? We’re breaking down all your options when sailing on Disney Cruise Line.

With so many different Disney Cruise Line ships to choose from, how do you know which is best for you and your travel party?  We’ve got you covered! In this guide we will break down what is offered on each ship, what amenities are special to any particular Disney Cruise Line ship, and more.

Which Disney Cruise Line Ship is Best?

Choosing a ship all boils down to personal preference, but let’s start by giving some basic background on each of the five (soon to be six) Disney Cruise Line ships. First is the Disney Magic , which had its maiden voyage in 1998. Next is the Magic’s sister ship, the Disney Wonder which first set sail in 1999. Over 10 years later, Disney Cruise Line debuted its third ship – the Disney Dream , in 2011.

The sister ship to the Disney Dream is the Disney Fantasy , which set sail one year later in 2012. The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is the Disney Wish , which had its maiden voyage in 2022. And the sixth ship, the Disney Treasure , is set to sail for its first time in 2024.

Different Options on Each

Now, each ship is unique in its way, offering different amenities, entertainment options, sit-down restaurants, and more. But, we do want to note that every Disney ship includes character meet and greets, activities such as trivia, drawing classes, alcohol seminars, cooking seminars, and more. And that’s not even mentioning pools, an adults-only section, adults-only restaurants, and Senses Spa.

They all also host “Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party!… A Bon Voyage Celebration” which is performed on deck on the first day of your voyage, and every Disney Cruise Line ship has a Pirate Night featuring a deck stage show and fireworks presentation. With that being said, let’s dive into each ship and try to figure out which one is best for you and your party. 

Disney Magic

With a capacity of just over 2,700 passengers and 875 staterooms, this Disney Cruise Line ship is a bit on the smaller side compared to other ships in the fleet, but that doesn’t mean it is short of offering entertainment, food, and other amenities. Its decor is considered an Art Deco design.

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

The Disney Magic holds nightly entertainment in the Walt Disney Theater, which includes Broadway-style shows – but there are some shows that you won’t find on any other cruise ship, and only on the Disney Magic, including Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story  and Tangled, the Musical .

Rotational Dining Restaurants

The three main dining halls on the Disney Magic are:

• Rapunzel’s Royal Table: Celebrate Rapunzel’s birthday with a German-inspired feast.
• Animator’s Palate: A version of Animator’s Palate is offered on every ship.
• Lumiere’s: Themed to Beauty and the Beast , which means it, of course, features French cuisine.

The Disney Magic typically sails to the Caribbean, but during certain times of the year also sails to the Bahamas, Canada, New York, and Europe.

Who Is It Best For?

This comes down to personal preference. This ship is a bit on the smaller side, so the atrium and the pools may feel a bit more packed compared to other ships, such as the Disney Wish or the Disney Fantasy, so that is something to take into consideration. Plus, if you are looking for a shorter, tropical vacation, we recommend going on the Disney Magic for a four-night voyage to the Bahamas. 

Disney Wonder

Next on the list is the Disney Wonder. While this is the sister ship to the Disney Magic, there are both similarities and differences offered on board. 

Screenshot from video by Kathleen Lee

For starters, the capacity is the same as the Magic – just over 2,700 passengers and 875 staterooms, however, the design is a bit different than the Magic. While the Magic has an art deco design, the Wonder has an ​​Art Nouveau design. Regarding entertainment offerings, the Broadway-style shows offered include The Golden Mickeys , Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic , and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.

The three main dining halls on the Disney Wonder are:

• Tiana’s Place: Dine with Tiana and listen to live jazz music, while enjoying a classic southern Louisiana-inspired menu.
• Animator’s Palate: On the Wonder, Animator’s Palate teaches voyagers about the evolution of animation while enjoying their meal. The experience here is different than on other ships.
• Triton’s: The Little Mermaid -inspired restaurant serving French cuisine.

The Disney Wonder offers a variety of itineraries which include stops in Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and passages through the Panama Canal. On Alaskan voyages specifically, the Disney Wonder also hosts a Frozen -themed evening, where there’s a special Frozen stage show and voyagers dress up as their favorite character from the animated movie.

Again, this all comes down to personal preference but we say that The Disney Wonder is best for those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Sailing to Alaska is like nothing else you have ever experienced, (I know because I was lucky enough to have done it). 

Plus, for those “Frozen” fans, having an entire night dedicated to the animated film is pure magic. 

Disney Dream

With a capacity of 4,000 passengers and 1,250 staterooms, this Disney Cruise Line ship is almost double the size of the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Its decor is considered golden art deco but one of the best parts about the Dream is that in the atrium, a stunning chandelier made up of Swarovski crystals dangles from the ceiling, which is covered with 24-karat gold plating!

Photo by Brett Svenson

Regarding entertainment offerings, the Broadway-style shows offered include “The Golden Mickeys” (like on the Disney Wonder), “Beauty and the Beast,” inspired by the live-action remake of the classic animated film, and “Disney’s Believe.” The Disney Dream also offers Marvel Day at Sea on select sailings.

The three main dining halls on the Disney Dream are:

• Animator’s Palate: What makes Animator’s Palate on the Dream different than the Magic or the Wonder is that the entertainment offered during your meal features Crush from “Finding Nemo” who will speak to Guests at their tables.
• Enchanted Garden: This restaurant is inspired by the gardens of Versailles.
• Royal Palace: This is considered the upscale restaurant on the Disney Dream, and is themed to the Disney Princess films and features a French and American-inspired menu.

One thing to note is that the restaurants on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy are nearly identical.  The Disney Dream currently offers three, four, and five-night sailings to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean stopping in Cozumel and Grand Cayman – plus it sails to Disney’s private island Castaway Cay.

If you are looking specifically to sail to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, we recommend either the Disney Dream or the Disney Fantasy. The main difference between the two is that the Disney Dream offers shorter sailings, while the Disney Fantasy offers longer sailings (such as seven nights.)

Disney Fantasy

With a capacity of 4,000 passengers and 1,250 staterooms, this Disney Cruise Line ship is the same size as its sister, the Dream, and almost double the size of the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Similar to the Dream, the Fantasy also has a stunning chandelier in the atrium, but what makes this one different from the one on its sister ship is that this chandelier features a stained-glass peacock-inspired design. The overall design is considered art nouveau.

Photo by Rich Ramos

The Broadway-style stage shows offered on Disney Fantasy are Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, Disney’s Believe (just like on the Dream), and Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular. Plus, Disney Fantasy offers Pixar Day at Sea, which is exclusive to this ship.

The only difference between the dining halls on the Dream and the Fantasy is that the Royal Palace on the Dream is called the Royal Court on the Fantasy. Otherwise, the restaurants offer the same menus and the same sit-down restaurant designs/styles. 

• Animator’s Palate 
• Enchanted Garden 
• Royal Court

While the Disney Dream offers a Western Caribbean itinerary, the Fantasy offers an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, with stops at Mexico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. The Fantasy also sails to Disney’s private island Castaway Cay.

As mentioned above, if you are looking specifically to sail to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, we recommend either the Disney Dream or the Disney Fantasy. Again, the main difference between the two is that the Disney Dream offers shorter sailings, while the Disney Fantasy offers longer sailings (such as seven nights.)

My personal preference is the Disney Fantasy. I enjoy the longer sailings as you get to know your Crew Members on a more personal level, and you have more time to explore and enjoy everything that is offered on the ship.

Disney Wish

The Disney Wish is not only the newest ship, but also the biggest in the fleet. It holds 5,000 passengers and has 1,254 staterooms, including a 2-story Royal Suite with a Verandah! Plus, the Wish is the first Disney Cruise Line ship not to feature Mickey as Captain. Instead, you are led by Ms. Minnie Mouse! The entire ship is themed to being the “castle on the sea” meaning everything is inspired by the Disney Princesses, specifically to Cinderella. The atrium is called the “Grand Hall” and it features a stunning chandler, complete with little Disney Easter Eggs.

The Disney Wish offers a sail-away party, however, it has a different name and the premise is slightly different than the one on the other ships. The “Set Sail on a Wish” is offered on the first day of each sailing. The Broadway-style stage shows on the Disney Wish are Disney Seas the Adventure starring Minnie and Goofy, The Little Mermaid , which is brand new to the ship, and Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular”  similar to the show on the Dream and the Fantasy.

Arendelle on the Disney Wish. Photo by Danny Shuster

One of the offerings aboard the Disney Wish that is not offered on any other ship is the Kiss Goodnight.  The Disney Wish also has Disney’s first-ever at-sea coaster called the AquaMouse. All three main dining halls on the Wish are different than the other four ships.

On the Wish you will dine at:

• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure with Norwegian-inspired dishes.
• Worlds of Marvel – “Avengers: Quantum Encounter”: A restaurant experience with food inspired by the different locations and organizations of the Marvel universe.
• 1923: This restaurant has two dining rooms, the Walt Disney Room or the Roy Disney Room, which both feature sketches, props, and other items representing animated Disney films.

In addition to the unique restaurants, the Disney Wish also offers the first-ever “Star Wars”-themed bar. The Disney Wish offers three- and four-night voyages to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

The Disney Wish is perfect for those who are looking for a more upscale theme and a unique experience, as this ship offers a variety of amenities and restaurants that cannot be found on any other ship. Plus, with shorter sailings, this ship is good for those who are looking for a long weekend away or to have a split stay with Walt Disney World. 

Disney Treasure

And last, but certainly not least, is the soon-to-be Disney Treasure. Slightly smaller than the Disney Wish, the Disney Treasure holds 4,000 passengers but still has 1,254 staterooms. The theming to the Disney Treasure will give off an ”adventure” vibe, with blue and gold color scheme inspired by Agrabah.

Haunted Mansion Parlor concept art. Photo Courtesy of Disney

The Broadway-style show that is only offered on the Treasure will be a brand-new production called Disney The Tale of Moana. The Treasure will also have the pre-existing Beauty and the Beast and Disney Seas the Adventure show.  The Disney Treasure will also have its own version of the AquaMouse.

The Disney Treasure will have two of the same restaurants as the Wish once it sets sail, but it will have one unique restaurant as well.

• Plaza de Coco: A Coco-themed  restaurant exclusive to the Treasure and features a Mexican-style menu.
• Worlds of Marvel: Similar to the restaurant offered on the Wish.
• 1923: Just like on the Wish, you may dine in either the Walt Disney room or Roy Disney room.

Special to the Treasure, there will be a Jungle Cruise-inspired bar and a Haunted Mansion-inspired bar – which you won’t find on any other ship.

The Treasure will offer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.

For those looking for a unique Disney Cruise Line experience and a full-week vacation, the Disney Treasure will be a great cruise ship to choose.

The post Which Disney Cruise Ship is the Best? Everything You Need to Know. appeared first on WDW Magazine .