For some guests aboard MSC Seaview, Monday morning began in a way no one plans for on a cruise.
Instead of waking up slowly to a sea day, passengers on Deck 10 were jolted awake by water pouring into hallways and staterooms. Around 7:45 a.m. on January 12, a pipe connected to the ship’s fire safety system burst, flooding dozens of cabins.
Guests stepped into ankle-deep water, some still in pajamas, trying to figure out what was happening. Photos shared online showed soaked carpets, wet luggage, and water spreading through corridors.
Roughly 40 cabins were affected, many occupied by families and older travelers who had only boarded the ship two days earlier in Santos, Brazil.
The ship was sailing between Búzios and Salvador at the time, with guests expecting a quiet sea day.
Crew Steps In as Guests Wait It Out
Once the problem was identified, the crew moved fast.
Engineers shut off the damaged pipe and stopped the flow of water, while housekeeping teams began cleaning and drying the affected areas. Guests were asked to leave their cabins temporarily and were escorted to a nearby lounge to wait.
Crew members handed out water and drinks, and some guests were given temporary rooms depending on availability. Within a few hours, most passengers were allowed back into their cabins.
MSC Cruises later confirmed the incident and said the issue had been resolved quickly, adding that there was no danger to guests at any point.
As a goodwill gesture, affected passengers received $150 per cabin. Guests were also told to report any damaged belongings, such as phones or luggage, to guest services for review.
An Unfortunate Disruption, But Not a Common One
Incidents like this are rare, but they do happen from time to time on cruise ships that operate nonstop with complex systems behind the scenes.
Outside of Deck 10, the rest of MSC Seaview continued as normal. Restaurants stayed open, shows went on, and most guests were able to enjoy their day as planned.
The incident comes as MSC Cruises continues to refine its deployment plans, including upcoming itinerary changes such as MSC Meraviglia’s scheduled Southern Caribbean debut for the 2027–28 season, highlighting the brand’s broader focus on fleet positioning and guest experience.
When the ship later docked in Maceió, port officials carried out an additional inspection as a precaution.
For those directly affected, the morning was stressful and disruptive. But many acknowledged that the crew handled the situation quickly and professionally, helping limit what could have been a much bigger issue.
It wasn’t the wake-up call anyone wanted but it was one the ship managed to move past as the cruise continued.
