Two Carnival Cruise Line ships have suffered a collision off Mexico in an incident that injured six passengers.
Video recorded by a passenger on a nearby vessel shows the stern of the 2,974-berth Carnival Glory (built 2003) making contact with the bow of the 2,124-berth Carnival Legend (built 2002).
The incident took place on Friday while the Carnival Glory was docked at Cozumel, according to several news reports.
In response to questions from TradeWinds, Carnival Cruise Line described the incident as an allision, meaning that one of the vessels was stationary.
"Carnival Glory was manoeuvring to dock when it made contact with Carnival Legend which was already alongside," said the cruise line, a subsidiary of Miami cruise giant Carnival Corp.
The company said that six passengers have presented themselves with minor injuries as a result of the incident.
Videos and photos show damage to the Carnival Glory, but Carnival said there were no issues that impacted the seaworthiness of either vessel.
Both ships returned to their home ports and are expected to operate their regular itineraries, though the Carnival Glory's Sunday departure from New Orleans will be delayed to allow repairs to be carried out on its aft dining room, the cruise line said.
Sailings to continue
"We have also advised guests on future sailings on both ships to continue to plan for their vacations as booked," the company said.
Carnival Cruise Line said a formal investigation is under way, but it believes it was caused by "spontaneous wind gusts and strong currents".
In one of the videos, published by New Orleans broadcaster WWLTV, the crunch of steel and glass can be heard as the two ships meet.
Then an onlooker says, "Don't ride on Carnival."
Passenger Jordan Moseley said he felt the casualty while eating breakfast on the Carnival Legend.
"All of a sudden we felt the ship rock to one side and then back into place," Moseley told Reuters.
"A few minutes later, the cruise director announced that the Carnival Glory had crashed into our ship while docking due to the high winds and rough ocean conditions in Cozumel."
Wendy Brewer said on Twitter that the incident interrupted her 10-year anniversary cruise.
"Licence and registration, please!" she said.
Both ships are insured by Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association and are classed by Lloyd's Register.
The Carnival Legend is registered in Malta, while the Carnival Glory flies the Panamanian flag.
The Carnival Glory has no detentions on its port-state control record. Last month, during an inspection by the US Coast Guard in New Orleans, officials cited it for two fire safety deficiencies, according to data from Equasis.
