Costa Cruises canceled the Costa Europa's last two scheduled sailings for the Italian cruise line, to make repairs to the ship following a collision with a pier in Egypt. The accident left three crew members dead.
U.K.-based Thomson Cruises is slated to charter the 25-year-old, 1,488-passenger Europa for a 10-year term, beginning in April. Costa said it is confident that repairs will be completed within 30 days.
The accident happened last Friday as the ship was docking in Sharm El Sheikh in strong winds. In addition to the three casualties, three passengers and one crew member were taken to a local hospital after the early-morning collision.
Costa said there was damage to one watertight compartment of the Europa’s hull area. Some crew cabins and parts of the engine room were damaged, too. Repairs will be completed over the next month in Palermo, Italy, Costa said.
Costa canceled the ship’s March 4 and March 22 departures and is working with passengers booked on those cruises to accommodate them on other sailings or fully refund them.