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Introduction
On April 8, 2025, Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess experienced significant flooding due to a burst pipe on Deck 7, sending water cascading through multiple public areas. The Sky Princess flooding incident, which occurred during a 7-night European voyage, underscores the challenges of managing onboard infrastructure failures and maintaining passenger safety during emergencies at sea.
Details of the Incident
At approximately 10:45 PM local time, a pipe connected to the ship’s Sky Pool ruptured on Deck 7, releasing water that flooded the adjacent decks. The flooding primarily affected the central Piazza atrium on Decks 5 and 6, a hub for dining and entertainment. The incident occurred while the Sky Princess was en route to Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, following port calls in La Coruña and Bilbao, Spain, as part of its round-trip itinerary from Southampton, England.
Emergency protocols were immediately activated, with passengers instructed via loudspeaker to assemble at muster stations. Confusion arose when technical issues triggered false fire alarms simultaneously, heightening tensions among guests. Crew members swiftly contained the water flow and initiated cleanup operations, limiting damage to the Piazza area.
Response and Impact
Princess Cruises confirmed that no injuries were reported and emphasized that all other onboard venues remained operational. By the morning of April 9, affected areas were cleared for passenger access. The ship maintained its schedule, proceeding to Cherbourg, France, before returning to Southampton on April 12 as planned.
The cruise line attributed the flooding to a mechanical failure and stated that a full inspection of the pool’s piping system would be conducted. Passengers were not compensated for the disruption, as the itinerary faced no cancellations or delays.