The anticipated return from a luxurious Caribbean cruise to the UK turned into a harrowing experience for 225 British passengers on P&O Cruises’ Caribbean Fly-Cruise. The chartered return flight encountered unexpected and severe turbulence, forcing an emergency landing in Bermuda, where 11 passengers were hospitalized. The incident resulted in a delay in the passengers’ return home, extending beyond Christmas.
The cruise, which featured the lavish Arvia ship with amenities like four pools and 30 bars and restaurants, proceeded smoothly across popular Caribbean destinations, including Antigua, St. Lucia, and the Dominican Republic. However, the journey back took an unforeseen turn.
The passengers boarded a chartered Airbus 300-200, operated by Maleth Aero, in Barbados bound for Manchester on December 23. Approximately two and a half hours into the flight, the aircraft encountered clear air turbulence, leading to the decision to divert to LF Wade Airport in Bermuda. Subsequently, 11 passengers were admitted to a local hospital, and all were discharged on the same day. Fortunately, none of the 13 crew members sustained injuries.
Despite being released from the hospital, the passengers faced the challenge of being unable to resume their journey until December 26, complicating their plans to return home for Christmas. P&O Cruises took responsibility for accommodating the passengers in hotels in Bermuda during this period.
The repatriation flight was rescheduled to depart on Tuesday afternoon, with the anticipated arrival in the UK on the morning of Wednesday, December 27. A government spokesperson in Bermuda assured that all injuries were minor, emphasizing the comprehensive inspection required for the aircraft before it could resume operations.
The Acting Minister of National Security in Bermuda, Owen Darrell, expressed gratitude for the swift response of emergency services personnel in ensuring the safety of passengers and crew during the emergency landing.
P&O Cruises, in a statement to CNN, acknowledged the disruption caused by the unexpected turbulence and subsequent diversions. The cruise company collaborated with the airline and local accommodations to address the needs of the affected passengers promptly. They apologized for the inconvenience and highlighted their continuous communication efforts, sending seven texts and five letters to keep passengers informed during the unexpected delay in Bermuda.