Tag Archives: blaze

Six more Grandeur cruises cancelled after fire

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Six more Grandeur cruises cancelled after fire

Six more Grandeur cruises cancelled after fireA further six summer cruises have been cancelled by Royal Caribbean International to allow for repairs to fire damaged Grandeur of the Seas.

The blaze burnt out what the line described as an “industrial area” at the aft of the ship which had only just re-entered service after a refit.

The 2,446-passenger capacity vessel is not expected to return to service on seven-night itineraries from Baltimore until July 12.

The vessel was being moved from Freeport in the Bahamas to a berth at Grand Bahama shipyard yesterday for the repairs to be carried out. A cruise due to depart on Friday had already been cancelled.

Parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises said: “The company has taken the vessel out of service and expects that it will take approximately six weeks to complete the repair efforts.”

The line laid on 11 charter flights to fly passengers from the vessel’s aborted cruise back to Baltimore. Others were travelling by ferry to Florida and then being transferred by  train or coach.

People booked on the cancelled cruises are being offered refunds and 25% future cruise discounts.

Royal Caribbean estimates that the direct financial impact will be a reduction of $0.10 per share.

Senior vice president and chef financial officer Jason Liberty said: “The extent of the financial impact was relatively high because the affected sailings were during the premium summer season.”

Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Adam Goldstein said: “We are gratified that no one was hurt and that the safety and comfort systems performed exactly as designed.

“I extend my appreciation to our crew who performed so well, as well as to our guests who have been co-operative, understanding and highly complimentary of the shipboard team throughout.”

Engine fire leaves Carnival cruise ship powerless

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Engine fire leaves Carnival cruise ship powerless

By Phil Davies

Engine fire leaves Carnival cruise ship powerlessCarnival Cruise Lines ship Carnival Triumph was left powerless 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico after an engine room fire.

The 3,143 passengers were remaining in the ship’s public areas and open decks. They were being provided with food and refreshments.

The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the blaze was contained to the aft engine room before being extinguished.

No casualties or injuries to guests or crew have been reported, Carnival said.

“The vessel is currently without propulsion and the ship is operating on emergency generator power,” the cruise line said on Sunday night.

All appropriate authorities including the US Coast Guard have been notified

“The ship’s technical crew is continuing to assess the damage and attempting to restore power. In the meantime, a tugboat is being dispatched to the ship’s location in the event it is needed,” a company statement said.

The vessel, with 1,086 crew on board, was on a four-day cruise from Galveston in Texas. The next cruise due to depart on Monday has been cancelled.

Passengers on the ship are being offered a full refund inclusive of gratuities and any transportation expenses.

Passengers on the cancelled sailing are being given the option of cancelling and receiving a full refund or waiting for further information to determine if a shortened, partial voyage may be possible.

In an updated statement Carnival said a tugboat had been called out to tow Carnival Triumph to the nearest port at Progreso in Mexico. It is due to arrive on Wednesday afternoon when passengers will be flown back to the US.

Another Carnival ship, Carnival Elation, was sent to transfer additional food and drink to the powerless vessel.

Carnival said: “We have contacted the designated emergency contacts for all guests presently on board Carnival Triumph.”

The next two voyages of Carnival Triumph, due to depart today (Monday) and February 16 have now been cancelled.

Carnival said: “Guests scheduled to sail on either of those voyages will receive a full refund, reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses and a 25% discount on a future three to five-day cruise.”