Cruise Ship Loses Power, Set Adrift Off Italy Coast

The Celebrity Constellation, part of Celebrity's Millennium class, was sailing an 11-day Mediterranean voyage that departed from Ravenna, Italy, on July 28, 2025. The ship was near Messina, Sicily, when the power outage occurred, causing it to drift in the Ionian Sea. According to CruiseMapper and Cruise Hive, the ship slowed to 1-2 knots, significantly below its typical cruising speed. Passengers experienced uncomfortable conditions as temperatures neared 80°F without air conditioning, and cold meals were served due to non-functional kitchens. Royal Caribbean's website states that emergency generators can power communication channels, emergency lighting, fire detection systems, and even restart engines if necessary. Similar incidents, such as the 2013 Carnival Triumph power failure detailed in the Netflix docuseries "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise"&ref=yanuki.com, highlight the potential severity of prolonged outages, though passengers noted the Constellation incident was less severe. This incident underscores the need for cruise lines to maintain robust emergency protocols and ensure passenger comfort and safety during unforeseen events.

The cruise line cited a "technical issue" but did not provide specific details.

The ship was without full power for approximately three hours.

Emergency generators maintained essential systems, ensuring passenger safety. The ship was also close enough to the coast to maintain cell service.

Passengers experienced a lack of air conditioning and were served cold meals. However, the crew remained communicative and professional.

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