Carnival Cruise Ship Hit by Floating Ice Chunk in Alaska

Photo by@spann / x.com | Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Spirit cruise ship, carrying 2,610 passengers, made contact with a piece of drifting ice while navigating through Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska yesterday on September 5.

According to news reports, a prompt inspection revealed no damage to the vessel's hull, allowing it to continue its week-long Alaskan cruise itinerary without any delays.

Cruise passenger April Futrell's message about the incident was posted on social media, with the following:

"Good evening James! We are on the carnival spirit and hit an iceberg just outside of Sitka and Tracy arm fjord! Here’s some pictures! We are safe and after assessing for damage we are back on track headed to Skagway!"

The ship's crew took immediate action, stopping the vessel to assess any potential damage. Another smaller boat reportedly came alongside the Carnival Spirit to assist in the inspection.

Passengers experienced a brief period of concern during the pause, according to some reports, but the situation was quickly resolved.

"The crew was very professional about the whole thing," said one passenger, who wished to remain anonymous. "There was a bit of a commotion initially, but everything calmed down quickly once they announced it was safe to proceed."

The incident highlights the importance of constant vigilance from crews navigating Alaskan waters. Icebergs and drifting ice floes are a natural hazard in the region, and unpredictable currents can pose challenges.

In June 2022, the Norwegian Sun cruise ship struck a larger iceberg while en route to Hubbard Glacier. This more serious collision resulted in significant damage to the vessel, forcing the cancellation of the trip and requiring repairs.

The Carnival Spirit's encounter, however, demonstrates the effectiveness of modern safety protocols and rapid response measures on cruise ships.

While the incident caused a temporary pause, it ultimately turned into a unique experience for some passengers.

Thankfully, with no serious damage sustained, the Carnival Spirit continued its journey, allowing passengers to enjoy the rest of their Alaskan adventure.