Damages To Royal Caribbean Ship After Docking Collision In Jamaica

Last Updated 12 months ago

While backing into its designated dock slip, Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Harmony of the Seas suffered damages after a collision with a concrete mooring pylon. The damage to the ship was not enough to take it out of service but resulted in paint scrapes, dents, and other damages. Inspections showed that the extent of the damage was minimal and was successfully repaired. “During arrival into Falmouth, Jamaica, Harmony of the Seas made contact with an extension part of the dock,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said. “There were no injuries to guests or crew and only minor cosmetic damage to the ship’s stern. The sailing will continue as scheduled.”

Harmony of the Seas has a current itinerary of seven nights through the Western Caribbean. It began its current journey out of Port Canaveral on May 22^nd, making its first two stops in The Bahamas. On Monday, the ship visited Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas. On Tuesday, the ship made a stop a Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. Wednesday was spent on the sea, and the ship reached Falmouth at about 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 26^th, where the collision occurred.

The collision occurred during the docking process, causing damage later found to be only cosmetic in nature. The dock itself was damaged more extensively. Luckily for guests onboard, the docking process was not significantly delayed by the incident, and they were able to disembark the ship as scheduled to spend the day exploring the beautiful Jamaican landscape. Guests enjoyed their stop in Jamaica before reboarding the ship and setting sail for Haiti at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

According to Royal Caribbean, they are “proud to go miles beyond your every expectation to deliver the friendly, award-winning service we’re famous for.” On Thursday, their actions spoke louder than their words. After just a few hours, maintenance crews had already repaired the damage to Harmony of the Seas. There was no reported damage below the waterline of the ship, and all systems remained operational. The ship is currently cruising as planned, and no delays are expected for the rest of its current or upcoming itinerary.

Thursday’s collision isn’t the first incident Harmony of the Seas has been involved with this year. In January, the ship was forced to cancel its scheduled visit to Cococay due to high winds, much to the dismay of guests onboard. Weather events affect cruise itineraries often, however, and the incident in no way reflected poorly on the cruise line. Also, in January, the ship caused a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch to be canceled after it drifted into a hazard zone at Port Canaveral.

Though the ship has had a few hiccups, it is no surprise why guests continue to flock to the cruises on offer aboard the Harmony of the Seas. The ship is one of the largest in the world and is decked out with activities for the entire family. The Harmony boasts the tallest waterslide at sea, onboard zip lining, a waterpark, 18 decks, a spa and fitness center, countless dining options, and onboard shows.

The ship is separated into different “neighborhoods,” each with its own activities to enjoy. Four of the most popular “neighborhoods” include the Boardwalk, Central Park, the Pool and Sports Zone, and the Royal Promenade. The Boardwalk is like a busy amusement park, while Central Park is more relaxed with real trees and plants. The Pool and Sports Zone has outdoor activities, including a large splash park for kids. Lastly, the Royal Promenade is indoors with shops and entertainment.

No matter which neighborhood they were in, guests onboard the Harmony of the Seas were undoubtedly surprised by Thursday’s mishap while docking in Falmouth, but the beauty of Jamaica and the renown of the ship they sailed in on are sure to have made up for the minor inconvenience. With some cruise lines even planning to offer Jamaica-Exclusive Cruise Itineraries, Royal Caribbean has made an excellent choice in making the country part of Harmony of the Seas’ itinerary.