Terrifying Ordeal As Cruise Excursion Boat Capsizes With 38 Passengers Onboard

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A cruise excursion off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia turned into a terrifying ordeal for 38 passengers from AIDAbella on Thursday 20th March, 2025, when the small boat they were travelling in capsized en route to Isla Barú.

AIDAbella excursion boat capsizes

The passengers were on a routine island-hopping excursion during a 14-night voyage aboard AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella when strong winds caused their vessel to overturn in the Caribbean Sea.

Video footage from the scene showed the overturned boat and frightened passengers struggling in the water, with several nearby boats rushing in to help.

The excursion was bound for the popular white-sand shores of Isla Barú, a popular destination known for its turquoise waters and relaxed atmosphere.

But as the afternoon progressed, weather conditions deteriorated. Temperatures soared to nearly 32°C / 90°F and wind speeds increased dramatically, peaking at nearly 20 miles per hour around 3 pm.

This ultimately caused the boat to capsize, sending all the passengers into the water.

All 38 individuals – 36 German nationals and 2 Colombians – were pulled from the water and transported back to the cruise ship before its scheduled 5 pm departure.

AIDA Cruises confirmed there were no injuries among the rescued guests.

Not the first capsizing this month…

This marks the second capsizing incident involving excursion vessels near Cartagena in March. On 2nd March, another boat, carrying 42 non-cruise tourists from Argentina, Chile, Germany, and other South American countries, capsized en route to Isla Palma.

That incident was attributed to the boat’s bow failing mid-journey, allowing water to flood the vessel.

In that case, the Colombian Coast Guard and nearby vessels rescued all passengers, many of whom were wearing life jackets.

Despite the harrowing incident, AIDAbella continued on its itinerary through the Caribbean.

After departing Cartagena, the 69,203-gross-ton ship made its way to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on 24th March, and will continue to ports in St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados before concluding the voyage in Martinique on March 30.

The ship can accommodate 2,050 guests and is operated by German cruise line AIDA Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation portfolio.

While boat capsizing incidents are rare in cruise excursions, the double occurrence in Colombia this month has raised safety concerns.

Colombian authorities require all boat operators to provide life jackets and comply with maritime safety regulations. However, travel advisories highlight uneven regulation and oversight for tourism providers in the country.

The Canadian government specifically warns against boarding overloaded or poorly maintained vessels and urges travellers to verify safety credentials.

Similarly, the US Department of State lists Colombia as a Level 3 advisory (“Reconsider Travel”), partly due to unreliable tourism regulation.

The UK’s advice on Colombia doesn’t mention safety standards for boats.

Though cruise lines thoroughly vet their excursion operators, incidents can still occur, particularly in regions where local oversight may vary.

Passengers are generally required to sign waivers before participating in excursions involving watercraft, wildlife encounters, or adventure sports.

While this incident ended safely, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of situational awareness when participating in shore excursions.

  • Always wear life jackets on water-based tours.
  • Research excursion providers in advance when booking outside the cruise line.
  • Follow weather updates and stay alert for signs of changing conditions.
  • Speak up if a vessel appears overloaded or unseaworthy.

Luckily for the guests of AIDAbella, a day that could have ended in tragedy instead became a reminder of how quickly things can change on even the most idyllic tropical escape.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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