Celebrity Equinox Drifts from Moorings During Embarkation in Buenos Aires – 22 December 2025

On 22 December 2025, the 121,878-GT cruise ship Celebrity Equinox, operated by Celebrity Cruises, drifted from its moorings at the Port of Buenos Aires during embarkation for a 14-night South America cruise. Strong winds of approximately 40 mph (65 km/h) caused one or more mooring lines to fail, allowing the vessel's bow to swing outward and the port side to make contact with the pier and an adjacent refuelling vessel. No injuries were reported among passengers, crew, or port personnel.

Embarkation was immediately halted and port tugboats were dispatched to stabilize and realign the vessel. Following hull inspections and safety checks, the ship was re-secured and boarding resumed. The vessel remained in port overnight to complete inspections, resulting in a delayed departure and a shortened port call at Montevideo, Uruguay.

As mooring lines failed under the strain of high winds, the bow swung outward from the berth and the port side scraped against the pier and an adjacent refuelling vessel. A gangway detached from the dock and fell into the water as the vessel moved away. Port tugboats were immediately dispatched and worked to stabilize and realign Celebrity Equinox alongside the berth. Ship and port teams conducted comprehensive hull inspections and safety checks before a replacement gangway was installed and boarding operations resumed.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• None reported.

Rescued

• No evacuation required; all passengers and crew remained safe throughout the incident.

Port authorities and tugboat crews responded immediately to stabilize the vessel. The master halted embarkation operations as a precautionary safety measure while the ship was brought back under control and re-secured to the berth. Ship and port teams conducted thorough hull inspections and safety checks before resuming boarding operations.

Celebrity Equinox remained in port overnight to complete inspections and accommodate the delayed departure. The subsequent port call at Montevideo, Uruguay, was shortened as a result of the late sailing. Tracking data and passenger reports indicate that the remainder of the South America itinerary—including Patagonia and Cape Horn—continued as planned.