2 Ships return to Seattle

Seattle has been a busy port recently with 2 separate ships having to return back to the port due to 2 different incidents.

Both ships were starting out on their Alaskan cruise itinerary’s. A magical and beautiful part of the world that really can be a once in a lifetime destination.

Firstly the Norwegian Pearl had to return due to a passenger with a medical emergency, it is unknown the exact details on the medical emergency at this time.

Secondly the Grand Princess also had to return to the same port due to an engine problem.

Just 30 minutes or so into the cruise which was carrying approx 2600 it became apparent that one of the engines had ‘died’ and the ship began slightly listing to one side and the US coast guard helped to bring the ship back to Seattle to rectify the problem. Grand Princess was docked for around 4 hours before she eventually left to start her Alaskan itinerary.

Unfortunately cruise ships are ‘machinery’ and from time to time problems will occur, as with passengers, there will be medical emergency’s regularly on ships and sometimes the passengers will need more treatment then the medical centre onboard can offer.

Have you ever experienced a mechanical or medical emergency onboard a cruise ship?

I have many times heard tannoy ‘code’ announcements for a medical emergency but as far as I am aware I have never had a mechanical problem on any of the cruises I have ever cruised on. With so many passengers travelling on cruise ships in this day and age and the amount of passengers can be upto 6000 medical emergency’s are expected with such large numbers and the onboard medical centres have great facilities to handle an array of problems, you will always be n safe hands onboard a cruise ship.