Sapphire-Princess Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On April 21, 2026, the Sapphire Princess conducted a poignant three-hour mission in the western Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the recovery of five bodies. The cruise ship crew first spotted an orange inflatable lifejacket in the water, prompting them to alter course at 6 p.m. EST to investigate the distressing scene. Upon reaching the location, the Sapphire Princess deployed its Fast Rescue Boat. The initial recovery involved the lifeless body of a male found wearing a purple top and black shorts, which was lifted into a lifeboat, discreetly covered with canvas, and subsequently brought aboard the ship for medical examination. Following the assessment, the body was transported to a designated area within the ship, allowing the vessel to resume its journey by 6:59 p.m. Shortly after, at 7:47 p.m., another orange life jacket was sighted, leading to the retrieval of a second body. The efforts did not stop there; the crew persisted and ultimately recovered three additional bodies from the water. Treating the suspected migrants with dignity, the captain confirmed the completion of the recovery operation. After concluding their search, the Sapphire Princess increased its speed and successfully arrived in Cartagena, Spain, on schedule on April 22. With over 3,000 passengers onboard, the cruise ship was in the midst of a 14-day voyage that commenced from Civitavecchia on April 19, with its final destination set for Copenhagen on May 3.

On January 24, 2024, while docked in Punta Arenas, the cruise ship 'Sapphire Princess' faced an urgent medical situation requiring the disembarkation of a passenger due to health complications. The incident involved an adult male tourist who received prompt attention from the onboard medical team, who worked diligently to stabilize him for shore transfer. After assessing the urgency of the situation, the ship's crew promptly reached out to the local maritime authority to facilitate the passenger's disembarkation along with his partner. Navy officials were stationed at the Prat dock, ready to assist upon arrival. The couple was swiftly transported via ambulance to the RedSalud Magallanes Clinic for further medical care. The 'Sapphire Princess', currently on a 16-day voyage that commenced at the Port of San Antonio, is set to conclude its journey in Buenos Aires. For more details, you can view the full report with accompanying images at the provided link.

On October 17, 2022, the US Coast Guard executed a critical medical evacuation of an 82-year-old passenger aboard the 'Sapphire Princess', located about 270 miles from the San Diego coast. The emergency response was initiated after the cruise ship reported a medical crisis involving a man displaying symptoms consistent with a heart attack. In response, the Coast Guard Sector San Diego deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew to the scene, with aerial support provided by an HC-27J Spartan aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento. Upon arrival, the helicopter crew successfully hoisted the patient and transported him back to the Sector San Diego base, where a team from San Diego EMS was ready to assist. The patient was subsequently taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital Hillcrest and is reported to be in stable condition following the timely intervention.

Due to the extended quarantine period for Diamond Princess (IMO: 9225481), Princess Cruise Line has made the decision to cancel five sailings from Yokohama, Japan, where the ship has remained for over two weeks. This action is attributed to the time required for the ship to be prepared for service again. Originally, the Diamond Princess was scheduled to resume operations on April 29, coinciding with Japan's Golden Week festivities. Additionally, all cruises on Majestic Princess (IMO: 9796001) have been suspended up to and including April 2, which involved several round-trip voyages from Keeling, the port servicing Taipei. Furthermore, Sapphire Princess (IMO: 9225493) will not be sailing any itineraries until at least October 22, affecting numerous round-trips from Shanghai, as well as journeys departing from Singapore, Yokohama, and Hong Kong. The Sapphire Princess is set to relocate to Australia six months ahead of schedule, introducing 44 new voyages from five major cities as replacements for the cancelled Asian itineraries. This year-long Australian program will be available for booking starting February 27. All guests impacted by cancelled voyages will receive full refunds for cruise fares and any air travel (if booked through Princess), along with hotel packages and prepaid shore excursions. They will also be granted a future cruise credit. In another development, Queen Elizabeth (IMO: 9807340) will now exclude Hong Kong from its schedule on March 31 and Shanghai on April 4, with alternative ports yet to be determined. Meanwhile, Queen Mary 2 (IMO: 9241061) has adjusted its routing from Asia to Australia, incorporating stops at Darwin on February 24-25 and Yorkneys Knob (Cairns) on February 29, before reverting to its original itinerary after a visit to Airlie Beach. Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Columbus (IMO: 9100250) will no longer stop in Tianjin (servicing Beijing) on March 17 or Hong Kong on March 23, with Chan May, Vietnam, set as a substitute port. Norwegian Cruise Line has also made changes, cancelling the departure of Norwegian Jade (IMO: 9361207) from Singapore on February 17. Additionally, all sailing operations of Norwegian Spirit (IMO: 9229175) throughout Asia will remain suspended from April 15 to December 7. After undergoing refurbishments, the Norwegian Spirit will embark on a series of voyages lasting 17, 20, and 28 days across three continents, kicking off from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 2, and following with departures from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 22, eventually homeporting in Piraeus (servicing Athens) on April 19. Subsequently, she will present a lineup of seven-day voyages to the Greek islands, Turkey, and Israel, operating through November 8. Compensation options for affected passengers include the choice of cancelling for a full refund or remaining onboard for the altered itinerary with 50 percent of their cruise fare credited back. In mid-February, Holland America Line's Westerdam (IMO: 9229646), diverted to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on February 13, leading to the cancellation of the next voyage. Furthermore, two additional cruises departing on February 29 have been cancelled, which include a 14-day trip through Taiwan and Japan, as well as a 28-day itinerary encompassing Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Guests affected will receive full refunds and an additional future cruise credit of 50 percent of their fare.