NEWS - Harmony of the Seas, owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International, is a premium cruise ship that offers an unforgettable vacation experience.
On one particular cruise, some passengers had front-row seats to an indoor waterfall!
Watery Surprise
From numerous dining options and entertainment venues to a state-of-the-art fitness center and exciting water park, there's something for everyone on board Harmony of the Seas.
But on January 3rd, passengers got a surprise: a sudden cascade of water from the ship's uppermost deck. The waterfall occurred because the ship made a sudden turn, causing the pools on the upper deck to overflow.
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The ship had left Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on December 31, 2022. The incident happened while it was on its way to its next port of call, Cozumel, Mexico.
Sharp Turn Ahead
According to Cruise Hive, the ship spotted a raft heading towards it while on its course through the Straits of Florida between the Sunshine State and Cuba. So, to avoid a collision, Harmony of the Seas had to make a sudden sharp turn.
Although this maneuver is considered safe and is frequently executed to prevent collisions, it caused a brief, sharp tilting of the ship.
Pool water from the ship's starboard side overflowed to a narrow deck section. The water then cascaded down an open central space six decks below.
Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or injury, except for the central open area getting a good drenching. The ship's crew quickly and efficiently cleared the flooded areas.
Explaining What Happened
One video on Tiktok uploaded by whereswaltertravel explains the science behind the sudden turn.
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He explains that when a ship makes an abrupt turn, it can experience listing. Listing is when a seacraft tilts or leans to one side while changing directions.
Listing can occur for a variety of reasons, such as uneven weight distribution, strong current, or, as in the case of Harmony of the Seas, a sudden change in direction.
A ship may list to either its starboard or port side.
Harmony of the Seas tilted portside, and the water in the pools on the uppermost deck was displaced. Naturally, the water needed to go somewhere—down to the cruise ship's open central area!
All Is Well
Ultimately, all ended well as the raft that was spotted was unoccupied, and no rescue was required. The guests even found humor in the unexpected event and were seen laughing and capturing videos.
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