Thread: Engine room fire causes blackout on Costa Romantica

Engine room fire causes blackout on Costa cruise ship

A fire broke out overnight on a Costa Cruises ship sailing along the coast of South America, causing a blackout across the vessel.
A statement from Costa Cruises says the fire erupted at one of the four deisel generators in the engine room of the 1,680-passenger Costa Romantica but "was promptly fought and rapidly put out."

The line says passengers and crew never were in danger.
"After a long technical work, (the ship's crew) succeeded to restore the electricity on board and consequently basic services on board, propulsion included," the line says.

The Romantica was sailing from Rio de Janiero to Buenos Aires at the time of the fire. It had been scheduled to arrive in Buenos Aires early today, but as of late afternoon it remained anchored near Punta del Este, Uruguay.
A Costa spokeswoman says the line plans to disembark passengers later today in Punta del Este and transfer them to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires had been the last stop on the current voyage and passengers had been scheduled to leave the ship there early today.

"Costa Cruise apologizes for the situation (and) wishes to express its deep sorrow for the inconvenience," the line says in the statement.

The line says it will give passengers on the ship a refund equivalent to two days of the price they paid for the cruise and a voucher for a future cruise in the amount of 20% of the price they paid.
Link To Original Article

The Italian flagged cruise Costa Romantica with 1.400 passengers remained on Thursday midday anchored seven miles off the Uruguayan sea resort of Punta del Este after having suffered last night a brief blackout caused by a fire in the generators room.

Mercopress

Ken, was Costa able to go ahead with the next cruise or did they have to cancel the February 26 sailing???

Originally Posted by *Lars*

Ken, was Costa able to go ahead with the next cruise or did they have to cancel the February 26 sailing???

The next cruise was canceled, Lars.

Originally Posted by MD11F

The next cruise was canceled, Lars.

What a shame. I hope the passengers got some sort of compensation.

Originally Posted by *Lars*

What a shame. I hope the passengers got some sort of compensation.

They were. Info. I have is they were offered numerous options for refunds, rebookings and reimbursements for unexpected travel expenses.
The ship is undergoing repairs in Montevideo, Uruguay, and Costa also does not plan to operate the next departure on March 12 from Buenos Aries.

Further info. from TravelPulse:
Costa refunded guests two days of the cruise paid and also gave them a 20 percent credit on a future Costa cruise.
Costa said it is “providing full assistance to guests” who arrived for the Feb. 26 cruise with hotel accommodations and other related expenses. The line was exploring providing an alternative resort or tour vacation option through March 12. Those who don’t want an alternative vacation will receive a refund, assistance to return home and a 50 percent cruise-only credit that can be used on another Costa cruise by Dec. 31, 2010.