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Accident on the Carnival Conquest?

October 3, 2006

Did she jump or was she pushed? That’s what passengers on the Carnival Conquest must have wondered after a woman fell off of an upper deck and landed on the balcony of a cabin several decks below over the weekend.

Jumped, says the FBI.

But after what appear to be a rash of people falling overboard, there must be some skeptical readers who are in the “push” category. (I checked with our friends over at the Safe Cruise blog, and they don’t appear to be there — yet.)

This much I do know: People have got to stop going overboard. And unless the cruise lines find a meaningful way of addressing the problem, the government will find a way to do it for them.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

4 comments

  • Joe Wagg

    Perhaps the cruise lines could handcuff each passenger to a railing! You cannot legislate behavior. If I wanted to commit suicide, what better way than to jump off a cruise ship?

    Less publicity might diminish “copy cat” activities.

  • Al Cerrachio

    People going overboard from ships is nothing new. When ships sailed regular schedules to Hawaii it was well known that suicides would often occur when the ship was at midpoint in the passage. Often they would leave behind belongings and/or messages in neat a neat pile.

    I wonder how many suicides occur at hotels worldwide each month? Yet not a word is heard about them except maybe locally. Does that mean all hotels should no longer have balconies and doors to the outside be sealed shut? Who would put up with that?

    It is hardly a wonder that the news organizations highlight each and every occurence onboard ships. They are more unique than hotels, cater to the “Rich” and are an easy target. News media always go for the quick and easy headline that does not require any thought, knowledge or understanding.

    maybet he cruise lines should have all passengers sign a release. The release could say that sailing onboard a ship is safe as long as you don’t get so drunk that you fall overboard, that jumping overboard is most likely going to be fatal, that leaning over the railing so far as to lose your balance is unafe and yes gravity does work, even at sea!

  • booby mcpherson

    I think it would be funny if just as a sort of initiation the cruise lines should institute a policy of killing one of their crew for entertainment purposes only. I mean really, these people are from foreign countries, and the boats sail in international waters. They could totally get away with it and I figure why not? They could even charge more. The crew could even have a gambling pot going to see who the “lucky” one is going to be.

  • L. Daigle

    I have been on the conquest twice and the ship is very safe. If you sit on a railing(which is stupid to do) and you are drunk you would probably fall off.
    The ship is designed for protection but if you want to jump off anything you will make a way. Its not the cruise ship thats at fault its carelessness of the passengers.

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