A fire that broke out aboard a Royal Caribbean ship Monday did enough damage that the rest of the cruise was canceled and company said the more than 2,200 passengers aboard will be flown from the Bahamas back to Baltimore.
The fire that on the Grandeur of the Seas began at 2:50 a.m. Monday was extinguished about two hours later with no injuries reported.
A cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Royal Caribbean said executives have met with passengers and that the cruise line is arranging flights for all 2,224 guests on Tuesday.
The cruise line’s owners said passengers will receive a full refund of their fare and a certificate for a future cruise.
Royal Caribbean said in a statement on its website that most public areas and staterooms were safe and power, propulsion and communications systems worked without interruption.
Photos show a substantial area on one end of the ship burned on several decks.
The ship had sailed from Baltimore on Friday and arrived in Freeport, Bahamas, Monday afternoon.
It had been planned to be a seven-night cruise.
Royal Caribbean said all guests and 796 crew were safe and accounted for.
The company in a statement on its website said it is, “deeply sorry for this unexpected development in our guests’ vacation. We understand that this may have been a very stressful time for them. We appreciate their patience and cooperation in dealing with this unfortunate situation.”
Carnival Corporation also had trouble with fire aboard another one of their ships earlier this year.
The 900-foot Triumph was disabled during a February cruise by an engine room fire in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving thousands of passengers to endure cold food, unsanitary conditions and power outages while the ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama.
It remained there for repairs until early May when it headed back to sea under its own power.
The Grandeur will stay docked in Freeport at least overnight.