Carnival Freedom, right, alongside at Grand Turk Thursday. Mardi Gras is docked across the pier
Carnival Cruise Line will deadhead a ship to Grand Turk to pick up passengers from Carnival Freedom after a fire in the funnel that requires repairs.
The blaze was quickly extinguished Thursday morning by the ship’s emergency response team,and there were no injuries, but Carnival Freedom will be going to Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport for work.
There are 2,504 passengers and 972 crew onboard.
Carnival Conquest coming from Miami
Carnival canceled the May 27 cruise of Miami-based Carnival Conquest and will send that ship to Grand Turk. It is due to arrive Saturday to pick up the Carnival Freedom passengers and take them to back toPort Canaveral, arriving Monday.Freedom had embarked at CanaveralMay 23 forwhat was scheduled as a five-day cruise.
Next Conquest cruise cut short by a day
Carnival Conquest will then return to Miami, with its May 30 departure shortened by a day and now to embark on May 31.
Freedom’s May 28 cruise canceled
Carnival Freedom’s May 28 departure from Port Canaveral is canceled.
Meanwhile, Carnival said everyone onboard is safe, and hotel and guest services, along with safety equipment, are fully functioning.
Billowing black smoke
The fire broke out in thefunnelwhile Carnival Freedomwas alongside at Grand Turk, and most passengers were ashore. The blaze sent flames and billowing black smoke from one of the funnel’s wings, and bits of flaming debris fell, onepiece landing on a lifeboat.
