Of the major international cruise lines, none are reporting any impact greater than a few port closings and ship reroutings.
“Initial contacts with our members have indicated no damage to any cruise ships operating in the Pacific,” said Lanie Fagan, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 25 cruise lines, including major brands such as Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Crystal, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean.
She told ABC News that “because a tsunami causes a rise in the height of the sea, a ship at sea is one of the safest places to be. It is when a tsunami approaches the coast that it causes damages as the wave builds in height and causes widespread flooding.”
Cabo San Lucas was one of the ports closed due to tsunami warnings in Latin America. The Disney Wonder was scheduled to stop there but will remain at sea today.
This isn’t to say there aren’t smaller passenger ships affected, especially those closest to the epicenter in Japan, where fishing and shipping is a major industry. Hundreds of boats have been destroyed there, and many are feared dead.
Photo Credit: Keystone/Rex Features – Natori, Miyagi