The MSC Seaview experienced flooding on Jan. 12 when a fault in a water line allowed water into multiple cabins and a public corridor while sailing off eastern Brazil. Crew quickly isolated the problem, escorted affected passengers to communal areas and deep-cleaned the impacted cabins; the line reported no injuries. MSC offered compensation including cabin upgrades, refunds and onboard credits up to $150. Video of the incident shows guests and crew wading through ankle- to knee-deep water as crews worked to remove it.
Flooding Aboard MSC Seaview After Water-Line Fault Sends Water Into Cabins
Frank ErpinarThe 'MSC Seaview' cruise ship
Multiple staterooms aboard the MSC Seaview were flooded during a South American cruise on Jan. 12 after a fault in a water line allowed water to enter guest cabins and a public corridor, the cruise line confirmed. The ship was sailing off the eastern coast of Brazil when passengers awakened to water in their rooms and hallways.
What Happened
Video shared by Brazilian outlet UOL shows travelers hurriedly removing belongings from soaking cabins while crew members worked to remove water, including one using a shop-vac. Footage and passenger accounts show people walking through ankle- to knee-deep water in sandals or barefoot as crew moved passengers to communal areas.
Cruise Line Response
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises told PEOPLE the company is "deeply sorry for the inconvenience caused to our guests as a result of a leak on the ship." The line said a fault was detected in a water line, which allowed water to enter a number of guest cabins and a public corridor. Technical teams quickly isolated and resolved the issue, and all affected cabins were deep cleaned.
Frank ErpinarThe 'MSC Seaview' cruise ship
"There was no risk to guest safety," the cruise line said, adding that crew kept affected passengers informed throughout the event.
Passenger Accounts and Safety
According to UOL, passengers were first alerted at about 7:30 a.m. local time after a crew member sounded an alarm and a steward knocked on doors shouting 'fire, fire.' One passenger, Marcelo Andrade Bezerra Barros, told UOL he feared the ship might be sinking when water began to enter cabins on the tenth deck. Affected guests were escorted to public areas until the situation was controlled. MSC reported no injuries related to the flooding.
Compensation and Ship Details
MSC says it offered a range of compensation depending on how guests were affected, including cabin upgrades, full refunds and onboard credits up to $150. The MSC Seaview, which entered service in 2018, has 2,026 staterooms and a passenger capacity of up to 5,079, according to the cruise line.
Context
Shipboard plumbing faults are uncommon but not unprecedented. In 2018, roughly 50 staterooms flooded aboard Carnival Dream after a break in a water system, an incident ABC News later reported. Cruise operators say technical teams aim to isolate faults rapidly and restore normal operations.
Sources: UOL, PEOPLE, MSC Cruises
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