TORONTO -- The international cruise line often dubbed the “fun ships” says there were six minor injuries after two of its vessels collided in Mexico.
The Carnival Cruise Line ships were at a port in Cozumel on Friday when one rammed into the stern of its sister ship. The incident, which was caught on video by eyewitnesses, occurred as the Carnival Glory was manoeuvring to dock and “made contact” with the already-docked Carnival Legend, the company said in a statement to CTVNews.ca.
“While we didn’t feel too much of a direct impact, we definitely felt the ship shake a little bit and knew something was up,” Christian Maxey, a passenger on the Carnival Glory, told CTV News Channel by Skype from Cozumel Friday.
“It had been a pretty rough cruise thus far, so we didn’t think it was more than a big wave or some winds. We were quite shocked to find out what had actually happened.”
Initially, the company said there was just one injury as a dining room was evacuated, but five more people have since presented themselves to the Glory medical centre for evaluation, Carnival told CTVNews.ca. The company said the “allusion” (a nautical term for a moving ship colliding with a stationary one) hasn’t impacted either vessel’s schedule or “seaworthiness.”
On Twitter, Carnival assured followers that “the next cruise for both ships is not impacted.”
Passengers told CNN that an on-board announcement after the incident said currents or high winds may have led to the crash.
“We heard a lot this morning about how the wind may have had something to do with it,” Maxey said.
“It really puts into perspective that these are massive cruise line ships and something as simple as a gust of wind can cause something like this.”
Guests were encouraged to continue with plans on the Mexican island. “We have advised guests from both ships to enjoy their day ashore in Cozumel,” the company said.
Maxey said the company has made several announcements assuring passengers that Carnival Glory will arrive back in the U.S. on Sunday as expected.
