What Crew Members Say About Costa-Serena

On December 28, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully executed a critical medevac operation approximately 80 nautical miles from Goa. The distress call came from the cruise liner 'Costa Serena' at 3:20 p.m., requesting immediate medical assistance for a passenger experiencing serious heart-related issues. In response to the emergency, the ICG's Maritime Rescue Sub Coordination Centre (MRSC) in Goa sprang into action, swiftly coordinating a rescue operation. The cruise ship was instructed to adjust its course towards Goa to facilitate a faster transfer of the patient to shore-based medical facilities. In parallel, the ICG Interceptor Boat 'C-158', which had been patrolling the area, was dispatched to meet the cruise liner 30 nautical miles offshore. With the support of medical staff from the cruise, the patient was efficiently transferred along with his wife and a nurse, ensuring that they received the necessary medical attention upon arrival at the shore. This operation highlights the ICG's commitment to maritime safety and rapid response in medical emergencies.

In response to recent measures outlined by the Chinese government aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus, leading cruise companies including Costa Crociere, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Genting Cruise Lines have announced the immediate halt of their cruise operations in mainland China. Costa Crociere has officially cancelled several sailings, including the 'Costa Serena', set for January 25 and 31, and the 'Costa Atlantica', which was due to set sail on January 27 and 31. Additionally, sailings on the 'Costa Venezia' are cancelled for January 26 and February 2, while the 'Costa neoRomantica' will not operate on January 25, 30, and February 2. Guests of Costa Cruises can either receive a full refund or opt for a different sailing date before the end of the year, along with a $50 onboard credit. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises has cancelled the 'MSC Splendida's' January 28 voyage from Shanghai, a planned four-night excursion. Royal Caribbean has similarly suspended the 'Spectrum of the Seas', which was slated to depart on January 27 from Shanghai. The suspension of group tours, which are predominant in the Chinese cruise market, has also been instructed to travel agencies. This pause in operations may significantly impact the cruise industry’s dependence on China as an important market for European, Alaskan, and North American voyages. Genting's Dream Cruises program has cancelled a turnaround visit in Guangzhou for the 'World Dream', although operations will continue from Hong Kong, as the ship will still interport between the two locations. Other cruise operators with activities in China during this winter, such as 'Astro Ocean', have yet to make public announcements regarding their upcoming itineraries but may follow suit during the lucrative weeks surrounding the Chinese New Year.

On May 11, 2017, the arrival of two major cruise liners, the 'Quantum of the Seas' and the 'Costa Serena,' faced unexpected delays due to a maritime incident near Shanghai. The mishap occurred late on May 10, when the cargo vessel 'Shungang 19' lost 37 containers filled with waste paper scrap into the Yangtze River, just off the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. The incident happened at approximately 9:57 p.m., effectively blocking the busy waterway and impacting around 13,000 passengers who were either departing or arriving at the terminal. In response to the situation, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration sprang into action, deploying an extensive recovery operation that included 11 salvage ships, six tugboats, and 11 patrol vessels. The 'Haixun 1668,' one of the survey boats, was instrumental in scanning the area to ensure the safety of other vessels navigating through the rivers of Yangtze and Huangpu. Meanwhile, the Wusongkou port has temporarily closed its waterway to cruise liners, forcing the 'Quantum of the Seas' and 'Costa Serena' to anchor approximately two kilometers offshore. The terminal management is currently providing accommodations for stranded passengers as they await the reopening of the waterway. Travelers are being advised to stay updated on the situation before heading to the terminal. Salvage operations began promptly, with expectations to recover all lost containers within the day. For more details and visuals of the incident, you can check the report here: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Containers-fall-off-stranding-cruise-ships-and-passengers/shdaily.shtml.