Crown Princess Lists in Milford Sound: How Strong Winds Challenge Cruise Operations in NZ

On February 24, 2025, the Crown Princess encountered strong winds while navigating the Milford Sound in New Zealand, leading to a brief listing of the ship during a course adjustment. This incident resulted in minor injuries to 13 passengers and 3 crew members, although the vessel suffered no structural damage and proceeded with its voyage on schedule.

Milford Sound is notorious for its unpredictable weather, presenting challenges for vessel navigation. The sudden wind shifts can impact a ship’s stability, as demonstrated in this case. The crew acted swiftly to manage the situation, ensuring the safety of passengers and restoring regular operations.

At the time, the Crown Princess was on a 14-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney, Australia. In a statement issued by Princess Cruises, they noted that:

“Crown Princess encountered strong winds during a course change, causing the ship to briefly tilt beyond its usual movement before stabilizing. Water from the Lido Deck pool flooded a dining area but was quickly cleaned up, and some of the shops and galleys had items coming off the shelves.”

For more information about the Crown Princess and its incidents, visit the ship’s CruiseMinus page.

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