Norwegian Escape was struck by a sudden strong gust of wind at the beginning of its seven-night cruise from New York. The large cruise ship listed causing injuries to passengers and crew.
Norwegian Escape Hit with Strong Wind
Norwegian Cruise Line has stated that the Norwegian Escape was hit with a fluke gust of wind on Sunday evening estimated at 100 knots (approximately 115 miles per hour). As a result of the sudden gust of wind, the large cruise ship listed (tilted) towards the port side.
This caused several injuries involving passengers and crew members. They are being treated by the onboard medical staff.
Norwegian Cruise Line stated on social media:
Just before midnight on Sunday, March 3, Norwegian Escape encountered unexpected weather in the form of a sudden, extreme gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, which resulted in the ship heeling to the port side.
Several injuries were reported and those guests and crew received immediate attention or are being treated by the ship’s medical staff. There was no damage to the ship; she remains fully operational and continues her scheduled itinerary.
She is currently headed to Port Canaveral for an anticipated early arrival on March 5. Neither the current itinerary, nor the next sailing are expected to be impacted.
At the time the ship was starting its seven-night cruise out of New York and sailing towards the first port of call of Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship was not damaged and is expected to reach the port ahead of schedule on March 5. However, guests have posted images of damage all around the ship:
The @CruiseNorwegian Escape was hit be a 100+ knot gust last night. The ship tilted and damage was everywhere. Crazy! pic.twitter.com/3fNx9sFBhW
— Michael Patterson (@michaelpNYC) March 5, 2019
The cruise line has stated there is no impact on the current sailing or the upcoming March 10 cruise. After Port Canaveral, the ship will call at NCL’s private island of Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, both in the Bahamas, before returning back to New York on the U.S. east coast.
Honestly, @CruiseNorwegian, the gust of wind that threw all of the shattered glass all over my bed and floor is all on mother nature, but where my pro-rated premium plus discount for all the bottled water I was going to drink tonight? #norwegianescape #nclescape
— AJ Black (@aaronjosef) March 4, 2019
Norwegian Escape is a Breakaway-plus class vessel at 164,600 gross tons and with a guest capacity of over 4,200 at double occupancy.
Also Read: Cruise Ship Which Crashed Into Pier Delays Home Port Arrival
Unfortunately, mother nature can strike at any time and this isn’t the first time a cruise ship out of the Big Apple has suffered from strong winds. In 2016 Anthem of the Seas, which is operated by Royal Caribbean, was damaged and had to cancel the cruise due to being caught in a horrific storm. The ship was actually sailing a similar route to Norwegian Escape.
