The promise of a serene and peaceful cruise through the beautiful Milford Sound of New Zealand turned chaotic for the passengers aboard the Crown Princess on February 25, 2025. What was intended to be a relaxing getaway to the South Seas was abruptly interrupted when strong wind gusts assaulted the 113,561 gross tonnage vessel, leading to the dramatic listing of the ship.
The Princess Cruises ship, accommodating around 3,000 passengers, tilted approximately 14 degrees, which, though brief, was enough to capture the attention of everyone onboard. Eyewitness reports describe scenes of chaos, as tables and chairs slid across the decks, and merchandise from the ship’s shops flew off the shelves, with perfume bottles and other items crashing to the floor. The pool began overflowing, spilling water onto the lido deck of the Grand-class vessel, creating quite the mess.
Video footage and passenger accounts vividly detailed the ship’s lean, with crew members scrambling to secure loose items. Many passengers struggled to maintain their balance, attempting to comprehend the situation as 13 guests and three crew members sustained minor injuries, ranging mostly from bumps and bruises to some more significant injuries.
Princess Cruises confirmed the incident, clarifying, "Crown Princess encountered strong winds during a course change, causing the ship to briefly tilt beyond its usual movement before stabilizing. Our crew responded quickly to correct the situation, and at no point was the safety of the ship compromised." They also noted some water from the Lido Deck pool briefly entered the Horizons food court, but this was swiftly cleaned up, and the area was reopened without delay.
Despite the incident, Crown Princess continued on its pre-set itinerary. The next port of call is scheduled for Tauranga, Russell, New Zealand, prior to returning to Sydney, Australia, on March 8, 2025. Footage showing the ship's aftermath revealed passengers smiling and resuming their onboard activities, sharing tales of their unexpected adventure.
While cruise ships like the Crown Princess are engineered to endure challenging conditions, it is true they cannot fully escape the whims of nature. Notably, Milford Sound is known for its rapid and severe weather changes. Some passengers, particularly those located on the lower decks, reported not feeling the impact of the winds at all, showcasing how significantly location aboard the vessel can alter weather experiences.
The cruise experience, once marked by the beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes, turned unexpectedly eventful. This incident echoed memories of another occurrence from 2006 when the Crown Princess experienced its own tilt due to autopilot malfunction, leading to a 24-degree list. Such instances remind both crew and passengers of the unpredictable nature of cruising.
Even though incidents at sea can provoke anxiety among travelers, many passengers remained resilient, finding humor and camaraderie amid the chaos. Operators like Princess Cruises are trained to address unforeseen issues, reassuring guests as they navigate both calm waters and turbulent seas. The response from the crew highlighted their training and professionalism, ensuring guest safety first and foremost.
It serves as a reminder of the joys and potential hazards of cruising, where unexpected adventures can arise unexpectedly. There’s something about the camaraderie during such moments—a shared experience of uncertainty can often bring people together. Whether it’s laughter over spilled drinks or shared stories about the tilting ship, passengers discover how such events help craft lasting memories.
For those who plan to set sail, be aware of weather conditions and the nature of adventures aboard such ships. Learning from experiences like these can help future cruisers prepare for the unpredictable, turning potential storms of anxiety back to waves of enjoyment, knowing the crew is trained to manage the seas.
Though it wasn’t the typical cruise experience, as Crown Princess moves forward on its itinerary, the resilience of its passengers and the swift response from its crew ensured the ship would continue to bring joy to its travelers, allowing them to enjoy the many wonders the sea has to offer, hopefully with fewer unexpected surprises.