Fifteen passengers reportedly spent about 45 minutes trapped inside an elevator aboard Carnival Horizon. The account surfaced in a social-media post several days after the incident.
The elevator stopped between decks 4 and 5, according to the account. Passengers used the emergency intercom but reportedly waited approximately 20 minutes before a crew member responded.
When someone finally answered, the crew member began requesting the names and cabin numbers of all 15 passengers. The group remained inside while that information was collected, according to a report from TheTravel.
Several men eventually pried the doors partially open. The report says some passengers experienced panic attacks and at least one person fainted. Several visited the ship’s medical center after leaving the elevator.
Passengers waited 20 minutes for an intercom response
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A recap of the incident does not identify the passengers, document the entire 45-minute period or explain what caused the elevator to stop.
TheTravel reported that no medical personnel were waiting when the doors fully opened. Passengers who wanted assistance instead went to the onboard medical center afterward.
Carnival Horizon uses destination-based elevators
Carnival Horizon became the cruise line’s first ship with a destination-based elevator system when it entered service in 2018.
Passengers select their destination from a touch screen in the elevator lobby. The system then assigns a lettered car and groups together people traveling to the same deck, according to Travel Weekly.
There are no deck-selection buttons inside the passenger cars. The only interior controls operate the doors.
The cause of the malfunction remains unclear
The social-media account did not say whether the elevator experienced a power problem, door fault or other mechanical issue. Carnival did not issue an official statement confirming the passenger count, timeline or reported medical problems.
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