PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Less than two weeks since a cruise ship caught on fire, the Carnival Freedom returned to sailing Thursday.
On March 23 in the Bahamas, passengers took video of the ship’s funnel burning after it was believed to have been struck by lightning.
It was the second time in two years that the ship’s funnel caught fire.
Like the May 2022 fire, Carnival will also have to replace its signature ‘whale tail’ at the top of the funnel, which was burned again.
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Thursday, passengers talked to News 6 reporter James Sparvero about boarding the ship for its first cruise to the Bahamas since the fire.
Cornelia Marshall was traveling with friends from Birmingham, Alabama.
“We put it in God’s hands,” she said. “I mean, that was an act of mother nature. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Thursday, Carnival said it was still investigating a possible lightning strike as the cause of the fire.
Marshall and her friends also weren’t concerned about the ship catching on fire two years earlier.
“You know, when life gives you lemons, just take tequila shots because we’re coming on the cruise,” Marshall said.
Another group of passengers said they were unhappy that Carnival didn’t tell them about the March 23 incident.
Kelin Sorto from Philadelphia said she found out there was a fire from her Uber driver, who brought her family to the port.
“That’s my only concern because how fast can they fix that problem?” she said. “They assured us that it’s secure. Hopefully, it is. We’re just trying to have fun.”
Carnival refunded passengers for the two canceled cruises, but if you were on the cruise that caught on fire and you’re still expecting a refund, you won’t be getting one.
A statement from Carnival reads, “We’re very proud of the Carnival Freedom team for keeping everyone safe and still delivering a full cruise to the guests who were on board. We appreciate our guests for their cooperation and support.”
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