Not a great week for Cruises

Well this week has bee eventful.  I am guessing you have heard and seen the video footage of MSC Opera crashing into he dock in Venice?  Also Opera crashed into a sight seeing vessel The River Countess.

According to reports,

In a conversation with the harbour master, the captain of the MSC Opera says that dropping two anchors was not enough because the engine was “locked”. “We have activated all possible procedures to avoid impact,” he says.

The crash left four people hurt and has reignited calls to ban large vessels from the city’s Giudecca canal.  The ship lost control after the engine seizing.  Apparently the Captain dropped both anchors to attempt to stop the ship and tugs which were attached to Opera ‘lines broke’ I am guessing under the pressure.

Cruise and Maritime Columbus apparently hit a foreign object whilst leaving The Netherlands.  After inspection the ship was deemed fit to travel, however there was then a ‘technical error’ and the ship had to return to port.  The ship was meant to visit the Norweigian Fjords.

Safety at sea is paramount to all cruise lines so the cancellations and delays are a nightmare for guests and travel agents, but checks do have to be made to make sure the ships are sea worthy.

Lets hope nothing else happens and all ships visit their Itineraries safely.