A fire on a Royal Caribbean ship did so much damage that the rest of the cruise was cancelled, and more than 2,200 passengers will be flown from the Bahamas back to the US.
The fire had no reported injuries, and its cause was not immediately known. The Grandeur of the Seas never lost power and was able to sail into port in Freeport yesterday afternoon.
Passenger Andrea Sanders said she slept on the deck with hundreds of others as smoke billowed out of the ship's stern. "I was terrified with it being my first cruise," she told The Freeport News.
Photos show a substantial area of the stern burned on several decks, and burned-out equipment was visible
Royal Caribbean said all guests and 796 crew were safe and accounted for. It said on its website that the cruise line is arranging flights for all guests today.
The company’s statement said it is “deeply sorry for this unexpected development in our guests’ vacation”.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it will join the US Coast Guard in investigating the fire.
AP