Cruise Ship Returns After Wave Damage

The media feeding frenzy seems to be subsiding over the freak wave that hit Norwegian Dawn, which has returned to regular service. In case you missed it, the 70-foot wave broke the windows in four staterooms, flooded 65, surprised everybody on board, and caused the ship to divert to Charleston for repairs. Norwegian tells us they arranged a charter flight back to New York for the passengers in the flooded staterooms, found hotel rooms and commercial flights for others who wanted to jump ship, and offered everybody a 50% refund on their cruise plus 50% off a future cruise. We think it was a solid response to the situation.

Consipiracy theorists, meanwhile, point to the cruise line's disclosure that the ship was planned for an appearance on The Donald's TV show The Apprentice upon its return to New York as proof that the captain took an unnecessary chance "rushing into the storm." Not likely in our opinion.

UPDATE 5/26/05: Bahamas Maritime Authority clears captain, stating his "actions have been found to be prudent and appropriate throughout."

ABC News: Cruise Ship Returns After Wave Damage
New York Daily News: Captain can take bow in scary cruise's wake