Update: Wednesday September 9, 12:00 p.m., statement from Carnival Cruise Line:
“The Carnival Liberty continues to remain in St. Thomas following an engine fire that occurred on Monday, Sept. 7, while the ship was docked there during a scheduled port of call visit. All guests will now be flown home from St. Thomas. Given the limited availability of commercial flights, guests will primarily be transported via chartered aircraft.
All guests are being provided with a full refund of their cruise as well as a 50 percent discount on a future cruise. This is in addition to a $150 per person credit that has already been applied to guests’ shipboard accounts.
There were no injuries to guests or crew as a result of the fire which was extinguished by the ship’s automated suppression system. All hotel services including air conditioning, elevators, toilets, galleys, etc. are fully functional and the ship’s normal array of activities, entertainment, dining options and programming are being offered.
The ship is expected to return to its homeport of San Juan later this week.
We apologize to our guests for this unexpected disruption to their vacation and the inconvenience they are experiencing.
Carnival Liberty departed San Juan on Sunday for a seven-day Caribbean cruise with 3,346 guests and 1,150 crew on board.
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Original Article:
A small fire broke out in the engine room on Carnival Liberty earlier today when the ship was docked in port while in St. Thomas. There are no reported injuries to any passengers or crew members and the fire was extinguished by the automated suppressive system.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that a fire did break out and gave the following statement:
“Earlier today, while the Carnival Liberty was docked in St. Thomas, there was a fire in the ship’s engine room. There were no reported injuries to guests or crew. All guests are ashore in St. Thomas. Crews are working to confirm the fire has been completely extinguished.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
Carnival Liberty is on the second day of a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departed San Juan yesterday.”
Passengers are being encouraged to proceed to the Marriott Fisherman’s Reef where Carnival has secured a ballroom for their convenience and comfort. Refreshments and transportation are being provided by the cruise line. The ship is currently not planning on leaving the port before 8:00 p.m. this evening.
The following is a letter from Captain Andrea Catalani that was sent to the passengers who are currently on Carnival Liberty. Click on the thumbnail below to read the letter.
The cruise ship currently has power, all hotel services including air conditioning and toilets are fully functional. Cruise Fever will continue to monitor this breaking story and will have all updates as information becomes available.
It’s unfortunate that the fire interrupted the cruise, the good thing ,the passengers were iam sure taken care of in style. I love Carnival and am getting ready to set sail on the COM QUEST THIS SEPTEMBER. I have never seen such an attentive and courteous staff as Carnival. !!!!!!!