The cruise ship left Port Canaveral, Florida, on a three night cruise to the Bahamas. Upon arrival, guests are free to use the amenities of the ship or to pursue entertainment opportunities off the ship. According to Carnival, the Jet Ski in question had been rented from one of the local agencies. In response to the tragedy, Carnival sent support staff to help the families of the guests in Nassau.
Safety is a common issue for cruise lines and personal water craft operators. Accidents are not uncommon and can be tragic. In addition to the typical hazards of theft and fraud, vacationers on cruise ships and on waterways face a host of additional dangers. Negligent security, improper maintenance and unsafe handling of water craft can quickly turn a vacation into a horror story.
While the specific cause of this accident is not yet known, it is a fact that this woman lost her life in just such a Jet Ski accident. It serves as a reminder that we should all be careful when choosing how we spend our vacation time and who we choose to help facilitate our leisure activities.
Source: Examiner.com, “Death of another cruise ship passenger,” Marty Harris, 9 May 2011
