Carnival cruise ship disaster leaves thousands of passengers stranded and 'passing out' in hot sun

Kristine Solomon
Emergency medical workers showed up with stretchers for provide relief to passengers getting ill while waiting to board the Carnival Magic. (Photo: Courtesy of Twitter/Tracey Wiseheart)
Emergency medical workers showed up with stretchers for provide relief to passengers getting ill while waiting to board the Carnival Magic. (Photo: Courtesy of Twitter/Tracey Wiseheart)

Carnival Cruise Line customers took to Twitter to vent their frustrations after the Carnival Magic vessel they were set to board was delayed in Miami and leaving thousands of passengers stranded in the scorching-hot sun, according to firsthand accounts.

The Carnival Magic, which launched in 2011 as a luxury cruise ship, was scheduled to depart PortMiami on Sunday at 1 p.m., but was delayed for several hours because disembarking guests aboard the previous cruise ran longer than expected, according to a letter from Milly Martin, senior director of Guest Port Services, that was distributed to passengers as they suffered in the heat.

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Passengers took to Twitter in droves, posting videos of the restless crowd and documenting that people were “passing out” and “dropping like flies” from the heat and humidity. Some compared the chaos to the notorious Fyre Festival.

People began documenting their injuries, including dehydration and sunburn. At one point, emergency medical workers were sent in to tend to ill passengers waiting to board the ship, taking patients away on stretchers.

Martin apologized for the inconvenience, and expressed that the team is “looking forward to welcoming you on board for a fun and memorable cruise.”

But for many marooned passengers, the apology was too little too late. “We got that wonderful apology too! Oh #CarnivalMagic you’re forgiven. Not…,” tweeted one person.

Others, though, accepted the apology and attempted to forge ahead.

Yahoo Lifestyle has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for comment on the ordeal. In the meantime, a spokesperson for the company told the U.K.’s Express:

“The ship departed Sunday night and is on a 7-day cruise with no impact to itinerary. Embarkation at PortMiami for Sunday’s voyage of Carnival Magic was delayed due to several factors, including late debarkation from a previous voyage. Carnival sincerely apologizes for this inconvenience and appreciates our guests’ patience and understanding.”

The length of delay has not been confirmed by Carnival Cruise Line, and it’s unclear if guests who were left waiting in the heat will receive compensation. That said, one person tweeted a letter from the company offering a $50 credit for passengers on their cruise account to “enjoy something on us.”

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