Royal Caribbean cancels sailing of damaged cruise ship
Royal Caribbean International will cancel sailing of its cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas on May 31, 2013 from Baltimore, Maryland to allow for repairs to damages sustained as a result of a fire, the cruise operator said on Tuesday.
"Guests booked on the May 31 sailing will be provided a full refund of the cruise fare paid for their sailing. Royal Caribbean also will provide these guests with the opportunity to sail in the future by providing a future cruise certificate for 50 percent of the cruise fare paid for the May 31, 2013, Grandeur of the Seas sailing," the Company's press release said.
Grandeur of the Seas was en route to CocoCay, The Bahamas, when the ship experienced a fire in the mooring area in the aft of the ship at approximately 2:50 a.m. today. The ship was redirected to Freeport, The Bahamas, where it will remain this evening.
Grandeur of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean International’s fleet of 21 cruise ships. The ship was launched in December 1996 and recently refurbished in May 2012. Grandeur of the Seas has a maximum capacity of 2,446 guests;measures 916 ft. long and 105.6 ft. in width; and has a cruising speed of 19 knots.