Catastrophe on the Constellation

Celebrity Constellation was docked in La Spezia in Italy on Monday, October 29 when the ship broke free from her moorings due to bad weather at around 3:30 PM. The ship was forced to call there because of the bad conditions in the region at the time.

The strong winds forced the Constellation to hit another large vessell the Costa Magica. Celebrity had to act quickly and drop anchor until the bad weather improved. Luckily no reports of any injuries on board either vessell and no major damage to either ship.

Celebrity Constellation is currently coming to the end of an 11-night Mediterranean cruise which departed Civitavecchia on October 19. The ship is expected to return as normal to her homeport which is the main port for Rome on October 30.

So whats to do onboard a cruise ship in bad weather?

You always hope for good  weather – clear skies, moderate temperatures, gentle breezes and certainly no rain in the forecast. Unfortunately, Mother Nature may not always cooperate and you could have all sorts of poor weather on a cruise, from gale force winds and choppy seas to dense fog, chilly temperatures and pouring rain. Bad weather doesn’t have to spoil your getaway, however, and there are plenty of great things to do onboard even in the worst weather.

Most indoor activities will be unaffected by inclement weather, including trivia contests, karaoke, cooking demonstrations, Bingo games, art auctions, craft projects, comedy shows, slot tournaments, scavenger hunts and more.

You can also take advantage of the ship’s indoor facilities, such as the gym, spa, arcade and shopping mall, all of which may have different presentations, lectures and sales going on no matter what the weather. Larger, more elaborate ships often have even more unusual options, such as ice rinks, bowling alleys, movie theaters or planetariums.

If none of the scheduled options appeal to you on a rainy day, you can enjoy a slower pace by indulging in your own entertainment onboard. Most cruise ships offer several in-cabin movie options and you can order room service for a cozy snack.

Hopefully the sun will be shining for your next trip, have you been caught up in adverse weather? If so would love to hear about your experience.