Carnivals Ecstasy back in commission
The Ecstasy, which was slowed by propulsion problems earlier in the month, is back on track and operating its regularly-scheduled itineraries, Carnival Cruise Lines said.
Repairs were made to the ship prior to its March 12 departure from Galveston, Texas; its March 7 western Caribbean cruise turned into a cruise-to-nowhere after the ship failed to reach any of its scheduled ports.
Carnival said last week that the Ecstasy was now sailing at normal speed. -- R.T.
MIAMI -- A problem
with its propulsion system is again sidelining Celebrity Cruises
Infinity.
The line canceled
the Infinitys March 27 cruise from Ensenada, Mexico, to Honolulu
and will drydock the ship in order to replace the systems starboard
thrust bearing.
The ship is
expected to return to service on April 6.
Passengers are
receiving a full refund plus a free cruise departing on or before
March 27, 2006. Agent commissions are protected; agents also will
receive a $50 rebooking fee.
The Infinity has
been taken out of service for at least one cruise each year since
its 2000 debut to deal with various propulsion issues. The ship was
drydocked a year ago forcing the Millennium to take over its March
28 and April 11 cruises.
In 2003, Celebrity
sued the makers of the propulsion systems, Rolls Royce and Alstom
Power Conversion. Each of Celebritys Millennium class ships has had
problems with its propulsion pods, which are called Mermaid
systems.
Celebrity said the
Infinitys most recent cancellation will impact parent company Royal
Caribbean Cruises earnings by $.03 to $.04 per share.
To contact the
reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to Rebecca Tobin at [email protected].