Celebrity Constellation Drifts After Power Outage Off Italy

Published on Aug 3, 2025, 3:45 pm CDT

5 min read

Celebrity Constellation lost all power for nearly two hours on August 2 while sailing the Ionian Sea about 25 miles southeast of Crotone, Italy, leaving 2,100 guests without lighting, air-conditioning, or working toilets. The 90,940-gross-ton ship, on an 11-night voyage from Ravenna to Rome, drifted at one to two knots until engineers restarted essential systems and restored propulsion. Celebrity Cruises has not disclosed the cause, but the Millennium-class vessel has since resumed its itinerary toward Messina, Sicily.

Key Points

Why it matters: A total blackout left 2,100 guests without air-conditioning or toilets for nearly two hours.
Travel impact: The ship drifted at one to two knots, jeopardizing its Messina arrival.
What's next: Celebrity Cruises is investigating the cause and may offer goodwill credits.
Temporary loss of lighting, climate control, and hot meals prompted uncomfortable cabin conditions.
Power was partially restored, and tracking now shows the vessel heading toward Naples.

Snapshot

Shortly after noon local time on August 2, Celebrity Constellation suffered a complete power failure roughly 25 miles southeast of Crotone, Italy, while sailing the Ionian Sea on an 11-night voyage from Ravenna to Rome. For close to two hours the Millennium-class ship had no propulsion, lighting, air-conditioning, or working toilets. Engineers re-started essential systems first, allowing the ship to make way at just one to two knots before gradually increasing speed. Guests reported being served cold dinners and receiving free Wi-Fi as compensation. By early evening, propulsion was back online and the itinerary resumed.

Background

Celebrity Constellation debuted in 2002 and measures 90,940 gross tons, with capacity for 2,100 passengers and 1,000 crew. The August 2 sailing was scheduled as a sea day ahead of a Sunday call at Messina, Sicily. Passengers took to Cruise Critic forums and Reddit to share real-time updates, likening the blackout to the 2013 "poop cruise" aboard Carnival Triumph, though on a far smaller scale. Outside temperatures of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit quickly turned interior spaces stuffy once ventilation stopped, prompting some guests to congregate on open decks. Celebrity Cruises has not yet disclosed the root cause, though engine-room fires and electrical faults are typical triggers. The line last dealt with a technical failure three weeks ago when sister ship Celebrity Infinity lost power in Turkey. Detailed Cruise Hive report

Latest Developments

Engineers Restore Propulsion, Itinerary Back on Track

By 3 p.m., shipboard engineering teams had re-energized critical generators, allowing thrusters and hotel services to come back gradually. AIS data from CruiseMapper shows Constellation accelerating to more than 18 knots overnight, confirming regained propulsion. While Celebrity has not issued a public update, CruiseMummy reports the vessel did make its planned 8 a.m. call in Messina on August 3 before departing for Naples at 7 p.m. No port-time reduction or compensation has been announced beyond complimentary beverages and 24 hours of Wi-Fi.

Passenger Experience Highlights Safety Systems

Despite social-media frustration over heat and sanitation, emergency protocols functioned as designed. Backup batteries maintained navigation lights and bridge communications, enabling officers to notify Italian maritime authorities and Celebrity headquarters immediately. Muster stations were not activated, and crew used public-address systems to provide hourly updates. Marine engineers inspected propulsion pods and switchboards once ventilation restarted, a step required before bringing main engines back online. The rapid restoration underscores the redundancy built into SOLAS-compliant cruise vessels.

Analysis

A two hour blackout is a serious event, yet it falls well short of the multiday crises that have shaped public perception of cruise safety. The incident illustrates three recurring risk points. First, older Millennium-class hardware is more vulnerable to electrical failures than newer smart-grid ships. Second, hot Mediterranean summers turn brief HVAC outages into immediate comfort issues, underscoring the importance of open-deck refuge. Third, viral passenger posts can magnify even short disruptions into brand-damage headlines. Celebrity's limited communication-no formal statement within 24 hours-left the narrative to message boards. In an era when livestreams eclipse press releases, cruise lines that respond slowly cede control of the story. On the operational side, Constellation's crew executed textbook damage control, restoring propulsion in under three hours and preserving schedule integrity. Future fleet-modernization plans should prioritize redundant switchboards and battery-assisted hotel loads to keep toilets flushing and A C humming during blackouts. For travelers, the takeaway is to prepare for unexpected discomforts and carry portable fans or battery packs on older tonnage.

Final Thoughts

While Saturday's blackout was brief, it serves as a reminder that even well-maintained ships can suffer sudden technical failures. Celebrity's prompt engineering response kept the voyage on schedule, but the brand's communication lag shows room for improvement. Passengers considering late-season Mediterranean sailings should watch for official findings and any future goodwill offers before booking older vessels. For now, operations are normal and the cruise continues, closing the chapter on this Celebrity Constellation power outage.