Scarlet Lady sailed on from Rhodes. The catamaran it struck faces lost sailings.

King of Rhodes, the 338-passenger catamaran struck by Scarlet Lady in Rhodes, cannot operate its regular tourist sailings while awaiting inspection and repairs. Its owner is seeking at least €400,000 for alleged damage and lost revenue. The cruise ship has already continued its itinerary.

I’d give that shutdown more attention than Virgin Voyages’ reassurances. No injuries were reported among the cruise ship’s guests or crew. That is an important outcome. It is not a complete account of the consequences.

Scarlet Lady broke free of its moorings on the evening of September 30, 2026, during strong winds and heavy swells, striking the catamaran and two smaller boats. According to Pontos News, several mooring lines snapped and the ship drifted toward the harbor’s edge.

Port tugboats were placed on standby but were not needed. Scarlet Lady returned to its berth under its own power.

“Our Crew responded immediately, safely re-mooring the ship within minutes,” Virgin Voyages said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. The line attributed the incident to unusually strong winds and said it expected no disruption to the following sailing.

Bad weather had already changed the itinerary

The approximately 110,000-gross-ton Scarlet Lady was on a seven-night Greek Isles voyage that departed Piraeus, the port for Athens, on September 27. Its original schedule called for departure from Rhodes at 6 p.m. on September 30, before the evening breakaway.

Instead, the ship stayed overnight because bad weather had closed its next port, Mykonos. A September 29 passenger notice replaced the planned October 1–2 overnight call there with extra time in Rhodes and a visit to Chania on October 2. Bodrum, Turkey, and Santorini were also on the original itinerary.

AIS tracking subsequently showed Scarlet Lady completing the added Chania call and departing for Santorini, where it was scheduled to visit on October 3.

The smaller vessel’s costs are still being assessed

Although no damage was initially reported, the King of Rhodes claim lists damage to mooring caps and pins, the loss of its passenger boarding ladder, and destruction of a starboard platform protecting its propulsion system. The owner also raised concerns about possible concealed damage to the hull, stern, mooring points and propulsion equipment.

The catamaran must be hauled out for examination by technicians and other specialists. Until that assessment is complete, the repair bill remains an estimate. So does the revenue lost during the interruption.

King of Rhodes belongs to the Sea Dreams fleet, which operates tourist services linking Rhodes, Symi and Marmaris. Its owner may need to charter a replacement to meet existing contractual obligations, potentially increasing the compensation sought.

The owner sought to have Scarlet Lady detained, arguing in its application that pursuing compensation could become more difficult if the Bahamas-flagged ship left Greece before a claim was lodged. The filing also requested a full investigation into the collision.

Marine insurer Skuld supplied a letter of guarantee, allowing Scarlet Lady to depart Rhodes at 5 p.m. on October 1. That guarantee provides financial security for the claim if liability is established. It does not establish liability or settle the amount owed.

That distinction let the cruise continue. But a guarantee cannot replace the catamaran’s lost operating days.

Virgin Voyages did not respond to Cruise Hive’s request for comment before that outlet published its account of the claim. A local Greek court is scheduled to consider the complaint on February 23, 2027.

“Within minutes” describes Scarlet Lady’s return to its berth. The time King of Rhodes spends out of service will be a more consequential measure for its owner.