Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Repaired MSC Armonia sails on after striking the pier in Roatán

a7fa6893c67559d2a199cc7ed031ddad
MSC Armonia arrives at homeport Havana in this file photo
Following repairs to what MSC Cruises described as 'minor damage,' MSC Armonia resumed its Caribbean cruise after striking the end of the pier at Roatán in Honduras.

The incident, which occurred when the ship was docking Tuesday at 9 a.m. local time, was captured on video from ashore.

The clip shows MSC Armonia crushing concrete at the tip of the pier but no apparent above-water damage to the ship.

'While manoeuvring alongside, for reasons that are currently still being duly investigated, the ship deviated from her course and grazed the end of the pier,' MSC Cruises said in a statement. According to the line, there were no injuries and no environmental impact.

Passengers were allowed to go ashore following 'a slight delay,' and excursions operated.

Ship departed Roatán approximately 3:30 a.m.

Following repairs, MSC Armonia was cleared by Honduran port state control authorities to continue its journey and left Roatán at approximately 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

This would put the ship at Belize City, the next scheduled port, by approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday, in line with the original itinerary. 

MSC Armonia operates seven-night Cuba cruises from Havana that, starting Dec. 10, will add departures from PortMiami which, for the first time for MSC Cruises, can carry US citizens

The 2001-built ship was extensively upgraded in late 2014 as part of the line's €200m Renaissance Program.