cruise ship code for death

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What happens if someone dies on a cruise ship: procedures and protocols.

Navigate the intricate procedures and protocols when someone dies on a cruise ship, revealing the complex steps that follow in this mysterious situation.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Immediate notification to authorities and family members.
• Professional handling and preservation of the scene.
• Coordination for repatriation logistics with consulate involvement.
• Cruise line investigations to determine cause of death and liability.

Notification of Authorities and Family

Securing and Preserving the Scene

Medical Examination and Documentation

Transfer of the Deceased to Morgue

Morgue Logistics Onboard

• Cruise ships must have morgue facilities equipped with refrigeration for storing deceased passengers.
• The morgue's storage capacity varies, accommodating 2-3 bodies on smaller ships and up to 10 bodies on larger vessels.
• Deceased passengers are discreetly transferred to the morgue via the I-95 corridor, where they're stored until reaching the next port of call or the ship's origin.

Handling Family Arrangements

Communication with next of kin.

• Emergency Contact Details : Cruise lines notify the next of kin of a deceased passenger using the emergency contact information provided during the booking process. This information is vital for reaching out to family members promptly.
• Onboard Assistance : Trained personnel or ministers may be available on the cruise ship to assist in notifying the family of the deceased. This support can help in delivering the news with the necessary care and consideration.
• Support from Fellow Passengers and Crew : Fellow passengers or crew members onboard may also play a role in informing the family members of the deceased back home. Their assistance can contribute to ensuring that the communication is handled with sensitivity and empathy.

Coordination for Repatriation

Repatriation Logistics Coordination

• Communication : Establish clear lines of communication between all parties involved to streamline the repatriation process.
• Logistical Support : Coordinate with specialized transport companies or funeral directors to manage the transportation of the deceased passenger's body.
• Compliance : Ensure strict adherence to international travel laws and regulations to facilitate the smooth repatriation of the deceased.

Consulate Communication Arrangements

Legal procedures and documentation.

• Expert Guidance : A cruise ship accident lawyer possesses the expertise to guide families through the complex legal procedures involved in obtaining the death certificate and other necessary documentation following a passenger's demise.
• Evidence Collection : These lawyers can help gather pertinent evidence, such as photos or videos from the deceased's cell phone, which could be vital in legal investigations related to the incident.
• Claim Filing : Timely filing of claims against the cruise line is crucial, and a legal professional can ensure that this process is completed within the legal deadline, safeguarding the rights of the deceased passenger's family.

Investigation by Cruise Line

Onboard Incident Assessment

Cooperation with authorities, communication with family, key points:.

• Specially trained individuals or ministers may assist in informing the deceased's family about the unfortunate incident.
• Crew members are available to support and provide assistance to family members during this challenging time.
• Fellow passengers may also play a role in informing the family members at home about the incident onboard.

Potential Involvement of Federal Authorities

Support Services for Passengers and Crew

Support Services for Passengers and Crew:

• Trained employees offer emotional and logistical support, including assistance with repatriating the deceased, contacting funeral homes, making travel arrangements, dealing with insurance, and coordinating with local authorities.
• Guest Care Team members provide additional services such as free Internet and phone use, transportation to hotels, and post-cruise follow-up support for those affected by an onboard death.
• Cruise lines have established procedures to manage passenger and crew deaths promptly, ensuring an organized response to such incidents. Support services extend to crew members, offering help with repatriation, funeral arrangements, and emotional support during challenging times. These services aim to provide comfort and assistance to individuals coping with the loss of a loved one while navigating complex logistical and emotional challenges.

Follow-Up and Aftercare Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when people die on cruises?, do cruise ships have a morgue on board?, what is the code for death on a cruise ship?, what happens if you need emergency surgery on a cruise ship?.

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Claire, a creative soul with an unquenchable thirst for storytelling, is an integral part of the Voyager Info team. As a dedicated writer, she weaves captivating narratives that transport readers to enchanting cruise destinations and beyond. Claire’s love affair with writing began at an early age when she discovered the magic of words and their ability to craft worlds and emotions. Her innate curiosity led her to explore various literary genres, but it was travel writing that truly captured her heart. Drawing inspiration from her own globetrotting adventures and encounters with diverse cultures, Claire embarked on a journey to become a travel writer par excellence.

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Cruise Ship Deaths: What Happens Next? Step by Step Process Guide

If you are considering a cruise you may be wondering what happens when a person dies. It’s estimated that around 200 people per year die on cruises although, in reality, this number is probably higher. The majority of onboard deaths are from natural causes but there are some accidents, suicides, and even murders.

What Happens With Somebody Dies on a Cruise?

When a passenger dies on a cruise the body will be stored in an onboard morgue until the ship reaches an appropriate port where the body can be disembarked, from there the body will be flown home. The family will be informed and if the cause of death is unknown the death will be investigated by local authorities. 

Cruise ships are well equipped to deal with death. Crew members in a variety of roles are trained to deal not only with the logistics of disembarking a body but also supporting the fellow passengers and family members.

Contacting Family

The first thing that will happen when somebody dies on a cruise is that the family will be informed. Firstly the fellow passengers traveling with the guest and then the family members at home.

It’s easy for the cruise line to know to find out which passengers the guest was cruising with as they’ll be on the same booking. It’s a little more difficult for them to find out who to inform at home. When you book the cruise you’ll usually fill out emergency contact details and these will be used.

If the passenger was cruising with fellow guests it may be left to the fellow guests to inform family members at home if they want to, this depends on the situation and passengers involved.

Some cruise lines will have ministers or specially trained people on board who are able to talk to the family and try to help wherever possible. Some cruise ships even have small chapels for those who want to use it.

There aren’t usually specially trained councilors but there are crew members ready to help in the situation of an onboard death.

Special Codes

On a cruise ship, you’ll find special codes for everything. The special codes are designed so that they can be announced over the tannoy without guests knowing what they mean and getting worried. On most cruise lines you’ll find the same emergency codes but some do vary depending on the cruise line.

I was invited to view the bridge on a recent cruise, there was a book which included all of the codes and the officers talked to us a little about how they use these codes. They said that the codes are incredibly specific and they even have special code words for vomit or diarrhea in case somebody is unwell around the ship or in the pools.

Some common codes are below:

The code for a serious medical problem is ‘operation bright start’ and the code for death is ‘operation rising star’. This is the same on almost all cruise lines and the code itself seems to make sense given the subject matter.

Body Storage

On all cruise ships, you will find a morgue of some sort. The size does vary by cruise line but the majority are able to hold at least 3 bodies. Some larger ships can hold many more.

That said, it is never the intention of the cruise line to hold bodies for a long time. The cruise line will usually unload the body as soon as possible and then it will be flown home.

Some cruises do have many sea days and repositioning cruises such as transatlantic or transpacific cruises can often have up to a week at sea. Cruise lines have to be prepared to deal with this situation. Repositioning cruises are some of my favorites, they’re cheap, interesting and the experience onboard is quite different from other cruises. To learn more about repositioning cruises, including why you should take one, check out this post:  7 Benefits of Repositioning Cruises (Tried & Tested)

Ice Cream Rumors

There is a rumor which has been circulating for decades about deaths and ice cream on cruises.

The rumor says that if the cruise ship has too many dead bodies to fit in the morgue they’ll use the ice cream freezer and give out ice cream to guests onboard. How true this is, I’m not sure. I’m sure it isn’t protocol to keep bodies in the ice cream freezer but without any other options, I could see it happening. It’s better than leaving a body un-refrigerated.

Travel Insurance

It is SO important that you buy travel insurance before your cruise. You may feel as though it isn’t necessary if you’re not going far from home, for example cruising from Miami to the Caribbean but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

You could be left with hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars of debt if something did go wrong.

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An example of where not having travel insurance was a HUGE problem was that of Bruce Campbell.

Bruce suffered a stroke when he was cruising on the Carnival Sunshine. He was taken to a hospital in the Bahamas but they were not able to treat him there so he needed to be flown back to the US. He didn’t have travel insurance so faced paying out of pocket for all expenses. Bruce and his wife didn’t have the required funds and amazingly an anonymous donor donated $20,000 to fly him home.

To learn more about this case and other cruise murders, suicides and accidents, check out this post:

Cruise Ship Deaths – Annual Statistics, Causes and Real Examples

It’s incredibly expensive to fly a body home and medical fees on land can add up very quickly. Don’t risk it. Get travel insurance.

I use MoneySupermarket (affiliate link) when I buy travel insurance as it’s so easy to use. You enter your details and receive lots of quotes back, I usually pick one which is cheap, but not toooo cheap.

How Travel Insurance Helps

If travel insurance has been purchased then the cruise line/passenger in question would be in touch with their insurance provider. Between all the involved parties a plan would be made.

The insurance would usually pay for things like medical care, expenses gained by the fellow passenger disembarking with the person/body, and possible repatriation. In some circumstances, these things must be paid for upfront then claimed back on the travel insurance.

Investigation

If the cruise is from the US and there is suspected foul play the FBI will be called in to investigate. If the cruise is in another country the appropriate team will be called in to investigate.

The team will conduct their interviews and investigations similarly to how they would on land, they may look at CCTV, question other passengers, and analyze the crime scene. The seriousness of the crime and if there is a person responsible all affect how fast it will be investigated.

In the case of a suspected murder, the cruise team onboard would be able to hold the suspected person until local authorities arrive. Cruise ships do have small brigs (prisons) for situations like this, to learn more about this, check out this post: Cruise Ship Jails and Security (Security Officer Reveals All) – What Are They Like?

It may also be the case that the cruise ship has to miss port spots or that the ship is held and guests are unable to disembark.

Disembarking The Body

The disembarkation of the body usually happens as early in the morning as possible so that as few guests as possible see.

If the death was from natural causes or the situation has been investigated the body will be disembarked at the nearest port. It’s normally required that a person disembarks with the body and if this does happen a passport is needed for everybody who leaves the ship.

It is possible to take some cruises from the US without a passport but in an event like this, you would need a passport to disembark at the port and fly home. If you didn’t have one you’d have to get an emergency passport and this definitely isn’t a stress needed at this time. It may also be hard to get an emergency passport in some ports, especially those which are smaller and may not necessarily have forms and documents in English.

Death Certificates

Whichever port country agrees to take the body they will be able to assign the death certificate. This is needed for the body to be flown back home. Not all ports are equipped to deal with a body and producing a death certificate so in this case the body may be kept on board until the next port. It isn’t abnormal for Caribbean cruises to keep bodies until they return to the US providing that it isn’t too many days away.

Reporting The Death

Regardless of the location of the cruise, the death has to be reported to local authorities. When the cruise ship returns to the disembarkation port they need to be able to explain about the death of the passenger and provide evidence of what has happened to them.

If the cruise is from the US this will be reported to the US coast guard. Most countries have a similar process in place.

To Conclude:

When a passenger passes away onboard a cruise their family will be informed. The body will be stored in the onboard morgue until it is disembarked at an appropriate port. If foul play is suspected the death will be investigated in greater detail.

To learn more about cruise ship deaths, check out this post next:  Cruise Ship Deaths. Annual Statistics, Causes and Real Examples

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Cracking the Code: Understanding Cruise Ship Emergency Codes

Have you ever been on a cruise ship and heard code words you didn’t know? Or maybe you’re just curious about the communication onboard? Discover cruise ship codes and learn how they operate in a complex environment where communication is key, especially in times of crisis.

Many cruise lines choose to use their own code words and many will have a different meaning. Lets delve into some well known code words used aboard cruise ships:

Code Alpha:

“Code Alpha” is typically used to signal a medical emergency onboard. Whether it’s a passenger in need of urgent medical attention or a crew member requiring assistance. This code prompts a rapid response from the ship’s medical team to provide the necessary care.

Code Bravo:

When “Code Bravo” is announced, it indicates a fire or other hazardous situation onboard the ship. In the event of a fire, crew members are trained to swiftly contain and extinguish the flames. While other crew members ensure the safety of passengers through coordinated evacuation procedures.

Code Charlie:

“Code Charlie” is often used to alert the crew and passengers to severe weather conditions or security concerns. Whether it’s a storm approaching or a potential threat detected in the vicinity, this code prompts heightened vigilance and may lead to precautionary measures being implemented to ensure the safety of everyone onboard.

“Code Echo” may be utilised to signal an urgent need for assistance or reinforcement from other areas of the ship or external authorities. It can indicate a situation where additional resources or expertise are required to address an ongoing issue effectively.

Code Sierra:

“Code Sierra” is commonly used to alert the crew that a stretcher is needed onboard. This code is commonly used after the code word “alpha” and most likely won’t be announced the whole ship, and will more than likely be radioed to other personnel onboard.

Code Delta:

“Code Delta” typically signifies a life-threatening situation or imminent danger onboard the ship. It serves as a clear and urgent call to action, prompting the crew to deploy emergency response measures and prioritise the safety and well-being of all passengers and personnel.

Code Oscar:

“Code Oscar” is used to signal a man overboard situation. In the unfortunate event that this happens, code Oscar initiates a coordinated search and rescue operation. This involves the deployment of lifeboats and the activation of onboard safety procedures to locate and recover the individual.

Operation Rising Star:

“Operation Rising Star” is a term that may be used to indicate a death onboard or a serious medical emergency to other crew members. In cases where a passenger requires urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities of the onboard medical facilities, this operation ensures they receive prompt and specialised care ashore.

“Code Blue” is an additional emergency signal that may be used onboard, often to denote specific types of emergencies or to differentiate between different levels of severity within a given situation. These codes help streamline communication and ensure a swift and effective response from the crew.

Code Black:

“Code Black” typically indicates a severe medical emergency onboard, often involving multiple casualties or a situation requiring immediate intervention beyond the capabilities of the ship’s medical facilities. It prompts an escalated response from the medical team and may involve coordination with external medical authorities for assistance or evacuation.

“Code Red” is used to signal a potential norovirus outbreak or other contagious illness onboard. In response to this code, enhanced sanitation measures are implemented throughout the ship to prevent the spread of illness and protect the health of passengers and crew members.

Code Yellow:

“Code Yellow” is commonly used to alert the crew to a sanitation or cleanliness issue onboard that requires immediate attention. Whether it’s a spill in a public area or a malfunctioning restroom facility, this code prompts rapid response.

Code Green:

“Code Green” typically signifies an “all clear” status following a previous emergency or evacuation drill. It indicates that normal operations have resumed, and passengers and crew members can return to their usual activities with the assurance that any potential risks have been mitigated.

“Code Pink” is often used in healthcare settings to denote a paediatric emergency. This may be used to signal a medical emergency involving a child or infant. This prompts a rapid response from the medical team to provide specialised care and support.

As you embark on your cruise holiday, may your journey be smooth sailing, and may these cruise ship codes remain nothing more than a precautionary measure.

These additional code words and signals highlight the multifaceted nature of emergency communication aboard cruise ships. Each code serves a specific purpose in facilitating a swift response to any situation that may arise at sea.

As passengers, understanding these cruise ship codes empower you to remain informed and prepared. Ensuring that you can navigate your cruise experience with confidence and peace of mind.

A s you embark on your next voyage, may you sail with the knowledge that you’re equipped to respond to any challenge that comes your way.

Smooth seas and safe travels await! Call us on 02380 200 015 or start your search here.   

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Cruise Ship Secret Codes (inc Emergency & Naughty Ones too)

We all know the cruise ship crew uses secret code words onboard to communicate with each other without raising concerns amongst the relaxing passengers.

Perhaps you have heard them yourself over the tannoys.

I, too have wondered what some of the codes mean, so I’ve researched them all.

Plus, as well as the codes the crew use, did you know some cheeky codes are used amongst the guests?  Oh yes! Well, we’ll cover those too!

Cruise Ship Emergency Codes

Some cruise ships have their own specific codes unique to the cruise line, although they are typically a variation on the most used universal version of the code.

A code 30-30 will be the crew contacting maintenance to clear up a mess that could be hazardous to passing guests, for example, if someone slips on a wet floor.

Code Adam is used if there is a missing child onboard .   

This code originates from the abduction (and murder) of a child in the early 1980s, Adam Walsh, which also resulted in a Code Adam missing child safety program.

If you hear a code alpha on a cruise ship, there is a medical emergency onboard .

Many cruise lines have their own secret code for this, including the following.

Royal Caribbean has the code “Alpha, Alpha, Alpha.” 

Oceania Cruises are known to use “ Code Mike ” instead of Alpha to signify a medical emergency.

Celebrity Cruises use “Star Code, Star Code, Star Code”.

A code blue is usually used to signify some sort of medical emergency onboard the ship.

This would indicate to staff to take the required actions for the safety and well-being of the person, guest, or crew member as calmly and discreetly as possible.

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo 

The code Bravo, Bravo Bravo is a subtle way for the crew to alert other crew members that there is a fire onboard or a similar serious emergency.

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie

The code “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie” is used if there is a security threat onboard the ship.  It is known to be used on Royal Caribbean ships.  

It can also signal forthcoming helicopter winch operations aboard c-bed accommodation ships.

Delta, Delta, Delta

The crew uses the code “Delta, Delta, Delta” to signal to each other there has been or there is the possibility of a biohazard .

This could mean there has been some form of accident or event causing pollution from the ship.

Delta, Delta, Delta can also be used to secretly communicate the ship’s hull has suffered damage.

In some instances “ Code Papa ” is known to have been used to signify the same thing, an oil spillage or pollution-related incident.

A code Echo or “ Echo, Echo, Echo ” communicates that the ship is starting to drift .  This is often due to strong winds.  It’s important because it could indicate the ship is about to collide with the port or possibly another ship, accident no one wants to happen.

It can also act as a code to make the crew operate the gangway or the ship’s navigation to be ready to take action and maneuver the ship.

A code Kilo or specifically “ Kilo, Kilo, Kilo ” on Royal Caribbean ships signifies to crew to get to assigned emergency posts . 

These will have been pre-designated in previous crew training and will alert the crew and get them in a position to take whatever actions may be deemed necessary from there.

The code Mr Mob stands for “ Man Overboard .”  Someone has fallen overboard.

This is a very serious incident, and the ship may also sound its horn three times which would give a wider indication that there was an onboard emergency to other nearby ships as well.

If you hear the crew calling the code “Oscar” or specifically “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise ships it means there is a man overboard .

Purell, Purell, Purell   

It is a code used when an urgent clean-up is required, for example, if someone has vomited in a public area.

Another code meaning the same thing is “ PVI, ” which stands for “Public Vomiting Incident”.

Or sometimes, simply “ Code V ” is used.

Operation Bright Star

The code Operation Bright star will only be used by medical staff who are using the code to call other medical team members to assist with a specific medical incident such as a stroke or heart attack .

Disney Cruise Line are known to use code bright star to signal a serious stroke heart related or medical emergency onboard.

• Operation Rising Star

Is code on some ships to communicate there has been a death on the ship .  

If a passenger dies onboard a ship, their body will be held in the ship’s morgue .

Sometimes the code “ Bright Star ” or “ Fallen star ” is used to signify someone has died.

A code red indicated an outbreak of illness on board the ship.   This could be an instance of norovirus onboard the ship.

When there is a code red, sick passengers will be confined to their rooms until their illness has been deemed to pass.

The ship may undertake extra deep cleaning to contain the spread as much as possible.

Code Red Parties

The code “Red Parties, Red Parties, Red Parties” is reportedly used by Disney Cruise lines to indicate a fire onboard.

On other ships, it can mean fire at sea.

Code Sierra

A code Sierra indicated a specific type of medical emergency, one that requires a stretcher .

If it is a serious medical emergency, you may well hear the other code words to signify that as well.

Code Yellow

A code yellow is sometimes used to indicate an illness that isn’t so serious .  

Zulu Zulu Zulu

Code Zulu Zulu Zulu is a warning to crew members there is a fight incident onboard.  

Pool Emergency Codes

Code baby ruth.

I don’t know if Code Baby Ruth is 100% genuinely used, but if it is, it is to raise awareness among staff that there is a “poo” in the pool.

It might just be a myth that stems from this movie scene from Caddyshack.

Here’s a funny clip:

There are also reports that a “Code Winnie” is a secret code for a poo in the pool on Disney Cruise Lines.  Again this might just be a joke.

Royal Caribbean Emergency Codes

Codes specifically used by Royal Caribbean include:

• Alpha, Alpha, Alpha – Medical Emergency
• Charlie, Charlie, Charlie – Security threat
• Echo, Echo, Echo – ship is drifting
• Kilo, Kilo, Kilo – crew to report to emergency posts
• Oscar, Oscar, Oscar – man overboard.

As you can see, they make a point of repeating the secret code word three times which makes them different from most other cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Emergency Codes

As well as using the main typical emergency codes outlined, Carnival has some of its own for specific situations:

• Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team – fire onboard
• Operation Brightstar – for medical emergencies related to stroke or heart attack, cardiac arrest

Norwegian Cruise Line Emergency Codes

NCL also has a couple of its own secret codes, including:

• Delta – there’s been damage to the ship
• Papa – there’s been an environmental incident

Why do Cruise Ships Use Secret Codes?

The crew of a cruise ship use secret codes to communicate so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety or even panic among guests.

They enable the crew to discreetly start taking action.  

For example, if the crew was calling “man overboard,” you can be sure alerted passengers would rush to take a look, and perhaps the crowd would hinder and slow down any emergency rescue attempts.

A much-publicized incident without codes might also create panic and urgency for some people, who might immediately start worrying and looking for their loved ones.

The crew will be able to act alot more efficiently and discreetly by using these secret codes.

What is the Code for Fire on a Cruise Ship?

Fire is the biggest threat to a cruise ship and one no cruise captain ever wants to hear or have to alert the crew about.  

Most cruise lines use “Bravo, Bravo, Bravo” to indicate a fire onboard. 

Carnival cruise use “ Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team” as their secret code to alert the crew to fire.

Cunard uses the code “ Priority 1 ” to indicate a fire onboard.

Disney Cruise lines “Red Parties, Red Parties, Red Parties” as their secret code to indicate a fire onboard.

What Code is Used if Someone Has Died on a Cruise Ship?

Codes used when someone has died onboard vary by the cruise line.

If say, an old person has passed away, you might hear these code words: 

• Fallen star

Secret Codes on Cruise Ship Doors

Did you know some symbols act as potential secret codes between passengers, and some could be deemed a bit “naughty?”

Upsidedown Pineapple : This is a secret code symbol used between swingers, both on land but also on cruise ship door decorations and sometimes other attire.

You can find out more here about the meaning of an upside-down pineapple on a cruise and other hidden meaning symbols and codes you might spot.

Pink Flamingoes are another lesser-known symbol among swingers on cruises , indicating they are into the lifestyle.

To Conclude

There are many codes you may hear on a cruise ship, but in reality, you will rarely hear most of them.  

Instead, you are possibly more likely to hear them used in dramatic scenes on Tv and possibly wonder exactly what they mean.

Are there any codes we missed?  

Please let us know in the comments so we can add them.

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44-Foot Whale Found Dead on Bow of Cruise Ship Coming Into New York

The endangered sei whale, usually found in deep waters, was discovered on the bow of a cruise ship as it arrived at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, marine authorities said.

By Livia Albeck-Ripka

As the cruise ship approached New York on Saturday, it was found to be carrying a grim, and unexpected, catch: The carcass of a 44-foot-long endangered whale, draped across its bow.

The whale, which marine authorities described as a sei whale, is known for its rapid swimming and preference for deep waters, far from the coast. Its body was discovered as the ship neared the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and the authorities were “immediately notified,” said MSC Cruises, which owns the ship.

A spokeswoman for the company said in an email that it had “comprehensive measures” in place to avoid such collisions, including training deck officers and altering itineraries in certain areas to avoid them. “We will continue to evaluate and update our procedures with our partners and the authorities,” she said.

Marine authorities said that they had towed the animal, estimated to weigh some 50,000 pounds, from the bow, and transferred it by boat to a beach in Sandy Hook, N.J., where they conducted a necropsy on Tuesday.

The investigation is continuing, but preliminary results — broken bones in the whale’s right flipper; tissue trauma along its right shoulder blade; a full stomach and decent layer of blubber — all pointed toward the animal having been in otherwise good health when it was likely struck and killed by the ship, said Robert A. DiGiovanni, the chief scientist of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, which is leading the investigation .

The whale was already “pretty decomposed” by the time scientists began the necropsy, he added, so they worked quickly to collect samples that could be tested for contaminants and other biotoxins that would indicate any other relevant health issues. “It looks like the animal was alive and it was hit by a vessel,” he said, noting that investigators had not ruled out other factors.

Mr. DiGiovanni said that his conservation group, which is federally authorized to respond to marine mammal strandings in New York, had dealt with more than 100 whales over the past several years, many of which had been entangled in nets or struck by vessels. Most of those whales were humpback and North Atlantic right whales, he added, noting that it was more uncommon to come across a sei whale.

Sei whales usually live in subtropical, temperate and subpolar waters and are named after the Norwegian word for pollock, “seje,” because the mammals are often found together with the fish. Their long, sleek bodies are usually dark blue or black with a cream-colored underside, and are often scarred by shark and lamprey bites.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the whales were commercially hunted for their meat and oil, decimating their population, which is now designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act .

Mr. DiGiovanni said that the death was a reminder that humans shared the open water with many other mammals. “When you’re out there, these animals might be there,” he said. “We need to make people more aware about how to operate around these animals.”

A spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said by email that mariners along the East Coast were encouraged to slow down their vessels, stay alert, and report any sightings of dead, injured or entangled whales to the authorities.

Livia Albeck-Ripka is a Times reporter based in Los Angeles, covering breaking news, California and other subjects. More about Livia Albeck-Ripka

Federal Regulations for Reporting Death or Illness on Ships Destined for the United States

Federal regulations.

U.S. regulations ( 42 CFR 71.21 ) require the master of a ship destined for a U.S. port of entry to immediately report any death or illness among the ship’s passengers or crew. This includes persons who have disembarked or have been removed from the ship due to illness or death. Reports must immediately be made to the CDC Port Health Station  at or nearest the U.S. port of arrival. For ships arriving in the United States, this includes all deaths or illnesses that occurred within 15 days prior to arrival. For ships that have left the United States and will be returning to a U.S. port during the same voyage, this includes all deaths or illnesses that occurred within 15 days of departure.

Required Reporting

According to U.S. federal regulations, all deaths and ill persons displaying any of the following signs and symptoms must be reported to CDC:

• difficulty breathing or suspected or confirmed pneumonia,
• persistent cough or cough with bloody sputum,
• decreased consciousness or confusion of recent onset,
• new unexplained bruising or bleeding (without previous injury),
• persistent vomiting (other than sea sickness)
• headache with stiff neck;
• (B) Fever that has persisted for more than 48 hours; OR
• diarrhea, defined as three or more episodes of loose stools in a 24-hour period or what is above normal for the individual, or
• vomiting accompanied by one or more of the following: one or more episodes of loose stools in a 24-hour period, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle aches, or fever (temperature of 100.4 °F [38 °C] or greater);
• (D) Symptoms or other indications of communicable disease, as the Director may announce through posting of a notice in the Federal Register (CDC will notify partners in applicable industries as well as posting on the CDC website)

Note : Cruise ships carrying 13 or more passengers should continue to report cases of acute gastroenteritis or diarrhea to CDC VSP .

Contacting a CDC Port Health Station

• List of Port Health Stations, Contact Information, and Areas of Jurisdiction
• If you cannot reach the CDC Port Health Station  with jurisdiction over the next U.S. seaport of arrival, please call the CDC Emergency Operations Center (EOC): 770-488-7100 . The EOC will notify the appropriate CDC Port Health Station.

For More Information

• Definitions of Signs, Symptoms, and Conditions of Ill Travelers
• Reporting Death or Illness on Ships
• Importation
• Southern Border Health and Migration
• Travelers' Health
• Vessel Sanitation Program
• Funding and Guidance for State and Local Health Departments
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Division of Global Migration Health

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• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
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• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

What Happens When Someone Dies on a Cruise Ship?

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

With millions of passengers sailing each year, it begs the question, what happens when someone dies on a cruise ship?

When vacationing on a cruise ship, the last thing on most people’s minds is the possibility of death. Yet, with cruises often being the holiday choice for the older demographic, it’s estimated that around 200 people pass away annually on cruise vacations.

Cruise ships have facilities and protocols for dealing with deaths on board. Most deaths result from natural causes, though accidents, suicides, and murder can occur.

Table of Contents

When someone dies on a cruise ship, crew members follow meticulous procedures to handle the process respectfully and carefully. The ship’s medical team confirms the death and immediately informs the captain and necessary port authorities.

The ship’s staff immediately notifies all passengers traveling with the same reservation as the deceased guest and alerts their emergency contact.

Crew members provide emotional support and assistance to the grieving family. The ship’s staff is trained to handle the needs of grieving loved ones and deal with the complexities of disembarking and repatriating the body.

The body is kept in the cruise ship’s morgue until it can be disembarked, either at the origin port or the next major port of call with facilities to handle the legal and logistical requirements to repatriate the body.

The repatriation process varies significantly based on local laws and the ship’s itinerary​.

If the cruise ship’s next port doesn’t have the appropriate facilities, it will continue to carry the body until it reaches a suitable destination for unloading.

The body’s disembarkation is generally carried out early in the morning to maintain respect and minimize the impact on the cruise experience for other passengers.

For the family, the repatriation process involves significant coordination with local authorities to ensure that a death certificate is issued and recognized by the deceased’s home country. Repatriating a body is a complex and costly procedure, often necessitating assistance from embassies and requiring comprehensive travel insurance to manage potential expenses.

Despite the sad nature of such events, life on the ship continues for other passengers. Cruise ships often have counselors or chaplains available to provide support and help manage the emotional impact on passengers and crew.

Cruise Ship Morgues

All cruise ships are required to have morgues. Cruise ship morgues serve a crucial function, allowing for the respectful management of deceased passengers or crew until final arrangements can be made.

Cruise ship morgues are typically located on lower decks, near medical facilities, to ensure easy access by medical staff while remaining out of sight and inaccessible to passengers. The morgue is a steel refrigerated room where bodies are stored.

The size of a cruise ship morgue varies, but most can accommodate three to six bodies, though the largest cruise ships can hold up to ten bodies.

Cruise lines are prepared to hold bodies for extended periods, such as during repositioning cruises. However, the goal is for cruise ships to hold bodies only as long as absolutely necessary. Cruise lines store a body until it reaches a suitable port with the resources to repatriate it.

The design and operation of these morgues are strictly regulated to meet maritime and international health standards. For example, the morgue is separated from food storage areas, a mandatory health regulation to prevent cross-contamination.

Morgue facilities are vital during long voyages, such as transatlantic or repositioning cruises with several sea days in a row.

For cruises in regions like the Caribbean or the Bahamas, cruise lines typically hold the bodies until the ship returns to the U.S. Importantly, every port authority has the right to demand an examination of the deceased.

If foul play is suspected, the relevant authorities carry out an investigation.

Are the Ice Cream Rumors True?

A particular rumor about ice cream has been circulating for years.

Rumor has it that cruise ships store bodies in the freezer when they run out of room in the morgue. The cruise line provides guests and crew with generous portions of ice cream to make room for the bodies.

Former and current cruise ship employees tell conflicting stories. Some say the rumors are true, while others call them urban legends.

My take : I don’t believe the rumor to be true. Health and safety laws mandate strict separation of body storage and food. The cruise ship would violate health and safety laws if these rumors were true.

Operation Rising Star

Many cruise ships give a secret code to protocol for handling a passenger’s death, “Operation Rising Star.” This secret code word on cruise ships provides discretion and privacy to the individual. Crew members use the secret code to communicate without causing distress to other passengers and giving respect and privacy to the deceased.

Operation Rising Star is initiated immediately after medical staff confirm a death on board. Crew members ensure the deceased is handled with respect and care, involving the medical team and security personnel who work together to transfer the body to the ship’s morgue. The operation also includes notifying the captain and the ship’s officers to coordinate with the deceased’s family, providing support, and beginning the repatriation process according to maritime laws and the protocols of the ports they visit.

Similarly, the code word “Operation Bright Star” is a secret code that refers to serious medical emergencies requiring immediate medical attention.

Operation Bright Star mobilizes the ship’s medical response team to provide urgent care to stabilize patients until they can receive comprehensive medical treatment at a shore-based facility. It could involve a range of medical complications, including severe allergic reactions to a heart attack.

Importance of Travel Insurance

I can’t understate the importance of having cruise travel insurance .

Travel insurance provides comprehensive protection and a worry-free vacation.

Coverages vary between policies, but you’ll often receive coverage for:

• Medical emergencies
• Onboard medical services
• Trip cancellations or interruptions
• Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal items
• Repatriation

By covering these diverse and significant risks, travel insurance acts as a safety net, allowing passengers to enjoy their cruising experience with fewer concerns about potential financial losses or emergencies. Always review potential policies carefully to ensure they cover all aspects of your cruise itinerary and any personal health issues you may have.

Editor’s Tip

VisitorsCoverage is my preferred choice for cruise travel insurance. They offer cruise-specific plans to protect you and your loved ones while you sail.

How Many People Die on Cruise Ships?

It’s estimated that around 200 people die every year on cruise ships . However, the actual number is likely much higher as not all cruise lines or countries share death statistics.

The total number of deaths is low, considering that more than 30 million people embark on cruises annually.

While most passenger deaths are not the cruise line’s fault, it is a reality for hundreds of passengers every year.

How Do People Die on Cruise Ships?

The most common cause of death on cruise ships is natural, primarily due to heart attacks ( source ). The prevalence of heart attacks as a leading cause of death isn’t surprising, given the higher average age of cruise passengers. The stress of travel, excitement, and perhaps the physical activity involved in participating in various ship activities can exacerbate these conditions.

In addition to natural causes, accidents such as falls or drownings contribute to these statistics. So, too, do suicides and murders.

It’s important to note, especially for those who may have concerns about the safety of cruising, that deaths from accidents, such as falling overboard , are exceedingly rare. The design of modern cruise ships and stringent safety protocols significantly minimize such incidents, ensuring the safety and security of passengers while aboard.

Marcello De Lio

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Cruise workers use code words to communicate on board — here are 35 of the secret terms

• Cruise workers have their own secret language they use to communicate with one another. 
• Code words like "oscar" are used to alert crew members of emergencies without causing mass panic.
• Other terms, like "babaloo" and "mamagayo," are used to describe annoying guests or employees.  

If you don't work on a cruise ship, "no rice, no power" and "don't get a banana" may sound like an alien language. That's because crew members have dozens of secret code words and sayings they use to communicate while keeping passengers in the dark.

A single cruise ship may employ people from over 40 countries, resulting in industry slang that combines words and sayings from several different languages. Insider compiled a dictionary of cruise ship language based on interviews with cruise workers, previous reporting , and industry blogs . Alert codes and crew slang often vary by cruise line. 

PVI, Protein Spill, and Purell: From sea sickness to the norovirus (a cruise's worst nightmare), crew members are no strangers to "public vomit incidents," or PVIs for short. To avoid upsetting passengers — and their stomachs — cruise workers may also refer to such incidents as a "protein spill" or "Purell" when orchestrating clean-up duty. 

Winnie: In a similar vein, "Winnie" means a passenger has pooped in the pool — Disney Cruise shorthand for Winnie-the-Pooh.

Mufasa: A reference to the saddest scene in cinematic history, Disney Cruise workers use "Mufasa" to communicate that a parent has been separated from their child. 

Bravo, Alpha Team, Red Party:  Different cruise lines have their own alert codes to signal that there's a fire, either onboard the ship or at sea. These are three of them. 

Alpha, Star Code, Code Mike: Similarly, cruise lines have their own alert codes for medical emergencies, including the above four. 

Echo: One word I never want to hear on a giant floating vessel is "echo," which can mean that the ship is drifting or that there's a risk of high winds or collision.

Kilo: "Kilo" is used during an emergency to alert crew members to report to their assigned posts. 

Code Oscar or Mr. Mob: Different emergency code words used to alert crew of a man overboard (M.O.B) situation. According to Marine Insight , the distress signal is raised over the cruise radio system and loudspeakers to alert crew members to stand watch for the missing person and slow the ship down. 

Some terms are used to secretly describe passengers or fellow workers 

Babaloo : Alternatively spelled "Babalu," this is widespread cruise worker slang that means "fool" or "idiot."

Mamagayo:  Meaning "lazy," this term is used to describe a cruise worker shirking from their job responsibilities or pretending to work when they're really not. 

Capo: Derived from the Italian word for a military captain, this is cruise slang for "boss."

Cone and Coning: "Cone" is a derogatory word crew members use to describe passengers, a supposed reference to how cruise workers are constantly dodging vacationers as if they're swerving around traffic cones. "Coning," on the other hand is when a crew member hooks up with a passenger (a fireable offense). 

Staff versus Crew: Various employee departments onboard a cruise ship are organized within a rigid hierarchy that can determine their pay and living conditions. One such divide is between cruise "staff," which typically consists of entertainment, retail, and guest service workers, and cruise "crew," which includes waiters, bartenders, and housekeeping. 

Related stories

Concessionaire: This is a third-party contract worker that is not employed directly by the cruise line. This can include retail shop workers and casino employees, for example. 

Mainstage: Worker slang that refers to a cruise's entertainment team. 

Blue Boys: Nickname for janitorial staff who rarely leave the ship and send all of their money back home. 

Shoreside: These are corporate cruise employees who don't work on the boat and don't always listen to their "shipboard" counterparts. 

Meter Monitor: A word used during the pandemic to describe the guest service officers in charge of monitoring social distance guidelines between guests.

Royal Genie: These are the VIP butlers on Royal Caribbean cruises who wait on guests staying in the exclusive Star Suites. 

If you're a cruise worker, the last thing you want is a "banana"

Banana: If you're a cruise worker, you do not want a banana. This means a staff member has broken the rules and may get written up or reported. 

Mafia: The so-called mafia on a cruise ship is when crew members from the same country form a tight-knit community in order to support one another.

Paisano: If crew members are "paisano," they are from the same country or share the same ethnic origin. 

Second jobs: Some cruise workers run side businesses on the ship, like crew hair salons or food delivery. This is their "second job."

Let's Makan: This means "let's eat!"

No Rice, No Power: Slang used by crew members whose diet consists mainly of rice. 

Lifestyle Cruise: An industry euphemism for sexy adult-only cruises, including clothing-optional cruises, swinger cruises, and singles cruises. 

Cruise to Nowhere: Also called a "stay-cation" by some cruise workers, this is when a ship cruises at sea without stopping at any ports.

The Red Phone: This is a confidential phone line to the mainland that cruise workers can use to talk about sensitive issues. 

Float: A cash register that contains many different types of foreign currencies.

Dect phone (or deck phone): Portable work phone used by crew members that connects to the ship's telephone system.

Slop chest: A tiny convenience store in the crew-only section of a cruise ship that sells essential items. 

Do you work on a cruise ship? Have a story or tip to share? Email this reporter from a non-work address at [email protected]

Watch: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer

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EVERY CRUISE PORT – click here       EVERY CRUISE SHIP – click here

Welcome to cruise doris visits, here to help you cruise, we film cruise port guides., our first stop 2024 will be africa..

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Pace-driven holiday cruise novels.

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AMBASSADOR CRUISE GROUP – UK based cruise line with two ships

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P&O AZURA GROUP   – Grand Class family ships –   P&O VENTURA GROUP (no fly)

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In 2024 we are building our AFRICA menu and visiting to film Cape Town and other ports

Cherbourg-en-Contentin, France – a gateway port to the UK.

One of the major gateways between the UK and France, Cherbourg is now officially called Cherbourg-en-Contentin.

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Many safaris are offered and there is an abundant bird life including flamingos, pelicans

Dakar, Senegal. Trip to Gorée Island.

Dakar, Senegal has a very busy port which is always full of ships. Invaded many times it has changed hands over and over until it regained independence in August, 1960.

Cape Town, South Africa

This garden of wine and golf has features that include Robbin Island and Table Mountain but we start with the penguins.

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Doris Visits is just a little hobby, and a way of helping people research ports and ships. It is our way of giving back as we are on the ships between 6 and 12 times a year as Guest Lecturers. The site is also supported by other guest lecturers.

Why Doris?  It was a character Jean played in a TV show and we started the port guides as a little spin-off. It took over. I mean, rode into town and said this is it.

Who is Jean ?  Jean is a West End and Broadway actress who now has her own one woman show called Royal Mistresses, which she performs at guilds and on ships. Hence, she cruises – a bit. She now presents TV and is known by many cruisers for her Doris Visits port guides.

Who is Stuart?   Featured in a clip in the 2024 Oscars – in the tribute to movie stuntmen – he was the Queen Alien in Aliens. Now, he points the iPhone at Jean when they go and explore ashore. He finished in movies as a director, and now writes cruise thrillers.

The grandchildren who sometimes travel and from their son Luke Aikman. He was the young Colin Firth in Fever Pitch and appeared in Freight. He is now a producer and business entrepreneur. Their daughter helped with the plot of the first four novels and is now writing with comedian Joe Wilkinson.  Laura Aikman is known for being the girlfriend in the Christmas Gavin and Stacey, and Dyan Cannon in Archie. Some grew up with her Saturday show, Mysti.

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Watch CBS News

Cruise ship arrives in NYC port with 44-foot dead endangered whale caught on its bow

Updated on: May 9, 2024 / 11:41 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 44-foot dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale , was caught on the ship's bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said. A necropsy conducted later confirmed the whale's species and determined that the creature was a mature female, said the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a nonprofit organization that conducted the exam on an marine mammal.

A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada.

"We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale," officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life," the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals .

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

The necropsy, an autopsy on an animal, was conducted on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples collected from the whale will help biologists determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.

Basic results of that exam showed evidence of tissue trauma in the area of the whale's right shoulder blade and a fractured right flipper, said the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. In a post shared Wednesday to its Facebook page, the organization also said those tests revealed the whale's gastrointestinal tract was "full of food." Samples of its organs will undergo toxicology reviews and analyses to identify any potential tissue diseases.

"The tissue and bone samples collected will help biologists determine if the vessel interaction occurred pre or post mortem," said the conservation society.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, Gomez said. They are one of the largest whale species and are internationally protected.

According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation , sei whales eat 2,000 pounds of fish and plankton per day. They can grow up to 60 feet long, weigh as much as 50 tons and live on average between 50-70 years.

The incident marks the latest endangered whale to be found dead along the East Coast.  Last month, federal authorities said a North Atlantic right whale that was found floating 50 miles offshore east of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was killed in a collision with a ship .

In March, NOAA said the first  North Atlantic right whale  baby born this season had  died after being hit by a vessel .

Environmental groups have called for tighter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to try to save the whales.

In Massachusetts, there's a proposal to put  speed limits on fast ferries  to Cape Cod and the Islands to protect whales. The ferry companies counter that this would drastically reduce service, and say their captains have never seen a right whale on the job. 

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What Happens After a Death on a Cruise Ship?

• What Happens After A Death On A Cruise Ship

Deaths on cruise ships are more common than most people realize. While the cruise lines work hard to avoid negative publicity following deaths onboard, statistics show that hundreds of people tragically lose their lives on cruises every year.

If you have lost a loved one on a cruise, it will be important for you to understand what will happen—and what won’t happen—next. Unfortunately, while the cruise line might express its grief if your loved one’s death makes headlines, the cruise line will not act with your family’s best interests in mind. Instead, the cruise line will focus on protecting itself from liability, and it will be up to you to hire a cruise ship accident lawyer to ensure that your family’s situation is handled fairly.

What to Expect After a Loved One’s Death During a Cruise

Here is an overview of what you should expect following a loved one’s death during a cruise :

1. The Cruise Line Should Place Your Loved One’s Remains in the Ship’s Morgue

Following a cruise passenger’s death, the cruise line should place his or her remains in the ship’s morgue. All cruise ships have morgues, though this is not publicized. The passenger’s remains should be kept in the morgue undisturbed until the cruise ship gets to its next port which accepts human remains, at which point the body will be unloaded from the ship and transferred to local authorities.

Sadly, while this is what should happen, sometimes it doesn’t. For example, the Miami Herald recently reported on a case in which a passenger’s body was allegedly left to decay in a drink cooler instead of being placed in the ship’s morgue.

2. It is Up to the Family to Have Their Loved One’s Remains Sent Home

Once the passenger’s body is removed from the cruise ship, it is up to the family to make arrangements to have their loved one’s remains sent home. This can be challenging—especially if the passenger’s body is located in a far-away foreign country—and it can also be expensive without insurance. Even though the cruise line made the decision to leave the passenger’s remains behind, it will not assist with this process. But, if you hire an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer, your lawyer can help you take the necessary steps to bring your loved one’s remains home as quickly and safely as possible.

3. The Cruise Line Will Investigate

Following a death onboard, the cruise line will investigate to determine the cause of death. But, here too, the cruise line will be acting with its own best interests in mind. As a result, the cruise line is likely to find that the passenger’s death resulted from “natural causes,” even if the totality of the circumstances at hand suggests otherwise.

This reflects one of the harshest realities of losing a loved one on a cruise. Following a passenger’s death, the cruise line’s sole goal is to minimize its risk of facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the passenger’s family. The cruise line does not have to disclose its findings, and it won’t disclose its findings if they suggest that the cruise line may be liable.

4. Federal Authorities May Investigate

If the circumstances surrounding a passenger’s death appear suspicious (typically as reported by other passengers or the passenger’s family), then federal authorities may conduct an investigation as well. This was the case with the recent death of a passenger onboard the Carnival Cruise Sunshine departing from Charleston, South Carolina. While Carnival Cruise Line released a statement saying that “all indications pertaining to the death . . . suggest that it was a natural death due to a medical condition,” the FBI nonetheless initiated an investigation based on reports of suspicious circumstances.

5. The Family Will Need to Hire a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

Even if federal authorities investigate the accident, the family still may not receive all of the information it needs to pursue a claim. Investigating a suspicious death for federal law enforcement purposes and investigating for purposes of filing a wrongful death claim are very different. So, while the government’s investigation may lead to criminal charges if charges are warranted, the passenger’s family members will still need to hire a cruise ship accident lawyer to gather evidence that proves their legal rights.

What to Expect When You Hire a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer

When you hire a lawyer following a loved one’s death on a cruise ship, your lawyer will work quickly to protect and preserve your family’s legal rights. While different situations call for different approaches, in a typical case, an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer will take steps such as:

• Obtaining access to your loved one’s cell phone to review any photos or videos that may be relevant to your family’s wrongful death claim;
• Speaking with cruise ship passengers who witnessed your loved one’s accident or who have reason to believe that your loved one died under suspicious circumstances;
• Deposing cruise ship crewmembers and other cruise line employees who have information about your loved one’s death;
• Obtaining accident reports, emails, text messages and other records from the cruise line through the formal discovery process;
• Communicating with federal agents who investigated your loved one’s death;
• Working with medical experts to determine your loved one’s cause of death; and,
• Using all of the available information to assess liability and file a claim against the cruise line before the deadline to assert your family’s legal rights expires.

Talk to a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer About Your Family’s Legal Rights

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal cruise ship accident, we offer our deepest condolences. No one deserves what you and your family have endured. We also encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers about your family’s legal rights. Cruise lines can be held liable for passengers’ deaths in many cases; and if your family has a claim, hiring an experienced cruise ship accident lawyer will be the first step on your family’s road to recovery. Call 800-499-0551 or contact us online for a free consultation.

National and International All Ports of Call. Anywhere Offshore. Brais Law is here for you.

Cruise ship drags dead whale into New York, prompting investigation

A cruise ship arrived in New York Harbor with a dead sei whale pinned to its bow, a revelation that has spawned a federal investigation and has led biologists to examine the whale’s carcass to determine the cause of death.

The MSC Meraviglia was returning Saturday from a Bermuda cruise when it sailed into the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with the 44-foot-long sei whale affixed to its front. MSC, a Geneva-based cruise line, confirmed the incident “with deep regret” in a statement and said it had immediately notified authorities. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating.

On Wednesday, the whale was towed to Sandy Hook, N.J., for a necropsy. According to NOAA, officials discovered broken bones in the right flipper, tissue trauma in the right shoulder blade region and a belly full of food. Biologists took samples for biotoxin and histopathologic analyses. NOAA spokeswoman Andrea Gomez said the tissue and bone samples can help biologists determine whether the whale died before the collision with the ship or because of it.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society is leading the whale examination. Results from the exam could take days to weeks, said Kathleen Collins, senior marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare .

Based on the findings released so far, Andy Rogan, science manager at Ocean Alliance , a whale research and conservation nonprofit, said the cruise ship probably caused the whale’s demise. If so, it would have been a sudden death.

“Whales are huge animals, but compared to a ship that size, it’s still a massive impact. So much weight and power is hitting that whale,” he said. “It’s almost certain that a ship strike killed that whale.”

According to NOAA, vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the biggest threats to sei whales, an endangered species that inhabits deeper waters off the coastline. Population figures are elusive, but NOAA documented roughly 6,300 sei whales between Florida and Nova Scotia from 2010 to 2013.

Sei whales are feeding during this time of year, and Collins said the whales eat on the surface, placing them in the potential bull’s eye for collisions with a ship’s bow. She said crew members and passengers might not have felt the bump because of the ship’s size. The MSC Meraviglia weighs 171,598 tons; sei whales weigh up to 50 tons.

“It really is a tragic case where this strike likely happened and everyone was oblivious until they came into port,” Collins said. “They likely don’t even know exactly where they struck the whale, either.”

NOAA urges boaters operating along the East Coast to cruise slowly, stay alert and report any sightings of right whales or dead, injured or entangled whales. In its statement, MSC said it follows comprehensive measures to avoid accidents with marine life, such as training deck officers with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and adjusting itineraries in regions populated by whales.

Collins said voluntarily reducing vessel speeds can help avoid run-ins. However, she said, cruise ships and large tankers prefer to move briskly because they are on tight schedules.

Macinzie McFarland, a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association, said in an email that cruise ships take several measures to protect marine mammals, including whale observation training for crews and reducing vessel speed.

“The chance of mortality with a vessel strike goes down pretty substantially as you reduce the vessel speed,” Collins said.

Cruise lines also rely on technology such as underwater radiated noise management systems and specially designed hulls, propellers and noise suppression devices that minimize underwater vibrations. .

Marine outlets, agencies such as the Coast Guard and the Whale Alert app share information about whale sightings and locations.

Rogan said there is no “silver bullet” for ships to avoid whales, but advances in technology can help lower the threat. He said hydrophones can pick up whale acoustics, information that NOAA could then disseminate to vessels. At a recent workshop, Rogan said, he learned about infrared cameras that can detect whales within a 360-degree range, particularly in front of a vessel.

Rogan urged the public Thursday to share its outrage about the incident with government agencies and with the cruise line. Collins said she hoped the incident would inspire the cruise industry to act as a better steward in the waters it shares with vulnerable marine life.

The MSC Meraviglia, she noted, is headed next to Canada, a critical ground for North Atlantic right whales, including mothers and their newborn calves.

Video shows dead whale on the bow of a cruise ship docking at New York City

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A cruise ship pulled into a New York City harbor with a dead whale on its bow. The cruise line said it notified the authorities, who started an investigation. May 9, 2024

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Cruise ship sails into New York City port with 44-foot dead whale across its bow

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NEW YORK (AP) — A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 44-foot (13-meter) dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale, was caught on the ship’s bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said.

A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada.

“We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale,” officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life,” the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals.

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

The necropsy, an autopsy on an animal, was conducted on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples collected from the whale will help biologists determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, Gomez said. They are one of the largest whale species and are internationally protected.

Dead whale caught on bow of MSC Cruises ship, authorities investigating

Authorities are conducting an investigation after a dead whale was found caught on the bow of an MSC Cruises ship.

The whale was discovered as the MSC Meraviglia ship approached the port in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday. “We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale,” a spokesperson for the line told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

The roughly 44-foot-long sei whale was towed to shore at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for a necropsy, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez. The examination, done on Tuesday, found broken bones in its right flipper and “evidence of tissue trauma along the right shoulder blade region.” The gastrointestinal tract was full of food, as well.

Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, the lead on the case, said in a Facebook post that the whale was a mature female.

“Most of the other organs were sampled including for biotoxin analysis and other life history studies,” Gomez said in an emailed statement. “Samples were collected and will be sent for histopathologic analysis. The tissue and bone samples collected will help biologists determine if the vessel interaction occurred pre or post mortem.”

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. Gomez noted that sei whales are endangered and usually seen a great distance from the coast in deeper waters.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life,” the MSC spokesperson added. “We have comprehensive measures in place to help avoid collisions, such as training all our deck officers with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) and we follow regulations designed to protect whales and other marine life. This includes altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid whales and we will continue to evaluate and update our procedures with our partners and the authorities.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Cruise ship arrives at New York City harbor with dead whale caught on bow

The 44ft-long whale corpse was an endangered sei whale, which will now be examined to determine how it died

A cruise ship has journeyed into New York City’s harbor bearing a gruesome cargo in the form of a huge, dead whale sprawled across its bow.

The incident happened on Saturday, according to local US media reports , and the event is being held by some as further evidence of the unfortunate impact on sea life that large vessels can have.

The 44ft-long whale corpse was an endangered sei whale and was caught on the ship’s bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson, Andrea Gomez.

The boat involved was the Meraviglia, which docked in New York before sailing on a journey to ports in New England and Canada. It is owned by Geneva-based MSC Cruises .

“We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale,” officials with the cruise line said in a statement, who added that the company had regulations in place to avoid collisions with whales and other animals at sea.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life,” the statement said.

The whale is now the subject of a necropsy to try and determine how it died, notably if it was already dead when hit by the cruise ship. Sei whales are one of the largest whales and are a protected species.

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