Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur
of the Seas was diverted to a
Bahamas port overnight after
an early morning fire.
Passengers aboard the ship, sailing
towards the line’s “private island paradise”
CocoCay, were woken and sent to their muster
stations at around 3am (Bahamas time)
following a fire on deck.
Although no injuries were initially reported,
Royal Caribbean International later updated
via Twitter that two guests were treated
after fainting, with one report of high blood
pressure and a person experiencing cramps.
The US Coast Guard escorted the ship,
carrying 2,224 passengers, about 35 nautical
miles to Freeport, where it will dock overnight
for assessment of the damage.
The fire, which began in a mooring area and
spread to the fourth deck at the crew lounge,
was fully extinguished around 5am.
Guests in affected staterooms will be put up
in hotels in Freeport.
Some passengers are staying onboard, while
others have chosen to spend the day on shore,
the company said.
“Power, propulsion, communications
systems – all were able to continue without
interruption”, RCI confirmed.
Adam Goldstein, RCI’s president and CEO,
and other executives have arrived in Freeport
to meet with guests and crew.
“All guest and crew accounted for and safe”,
RCI confirmed.
The company has since announced the
cancellation of Grandeur’s 31 May departure,
with passengers to receive a refund and a 50%
cruise credit – more info as it comes to hand.
