The as much as 2,980 passengers that launched into Carnival Freedom on January 23, 2025, had been anticipating to be crusing towards the Bahamas by 3:30 p.m. EST.
Nevertheless, the deliberate departure time got here and went, and the Conquest-class ship stays docked in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida a number of hours later – presumably as a result of an environmental problem.
The 110,000-gross ton ship was alleged to be working a 4-night crusing to Nassau, Bahamas, and Princess Cays, Bahamas (the non-public island vacation spot belonging to the Carnival-Owned Princess Cruises) – however the in depth delay has known as the itinerary into query.
Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival for remark and acquired the next assertion: “Carnival Freedom’s group managed an environmental matter Thursday, delaying the ship’s departure from Port Canaveral. Friends are being stored knowledgeable.”
The Carnival spokesperson didn’t specify what precisely went incorrect, however present passengers have reported that the ship was leaking oil – which in fact must be shortly resolved and cleaned to attenuate contamination and potential hurt to marine life and their ecosystems.
“Captain mentioned ‘environmental problem’…ship is supposedly leaking oil and they’re having to scrub up,” one present visitor shared.
“I noticed what regarded like numerous gasoline within the water at 1pm after we boarded,” one other passenger added.
Others shared movies of what regarded like a darkish shiny sheen on the ocean’s floor – which might be indicative of an oil spill – and have reported sightings of divers and spill management groups.
“They’re loading the divers again up and spill management has simply arrived 8pm,” one other visitor up to date at round 8pm EST.
It’s unclear what triggered the alleged leak – as something from upkeep points to break may end up in a spill – however company that disembarked this morning (January 23) from the earlier 5-night Jap Caribbean crusing reported very tough seas on the journey again to Port Canaveral.
How Will the Carnival Freedom Itinerary Be Affected?
At this stage, it’s a bit too early to inform how Carnival Freedom’s itinerary might change – or if the crusing might be cancelled altogether because of the environmental state of affairs.
Carnival has not specified how lengthy it’s going to take to make essential repairs or full the clear up course of – nor has the Miami-based cruise line really confirmed the difficulty at hand.
That mentioned, present company are reporting that the 2007-launched ship gained’t be going wherever till tomorrow, January 24, on the earliest.
Which means tomorrow’s deliberate name on Nassau – the place the ship was alleged to be docked from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. native time – will seemingly be cancelled, or on the very least, shortened.
“They simply informed us the difficulty isn’t fastened and we gained’t get one other replace till tomorrow morning. Which SUCKS as a result of we booked Atlantis tickets for tomorrow,” an impacted passenger wrote on Reddit, referencing considered one of Nassau’s hottest choices.
“I’m presently on the Carnival Freedom which is caught in port at Port Canaveral with propulsion points. Might be leaving no less than at some point late at this level. They don’t seem to be telling us a lot,” one other visitor wrote in an e mail to Cruise Hive.
Learn Additionally: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents
Present company are understandably pissed off – not solely as a result of they don’t seem to be getting the expertise they paid for, but additionally as a result of Carnival will not be allowed to open the on line casino or its retailers whereas in port.
Given the delay and anticipated itinerary change, it wouldn’t be shocking if Carnival provides compensation – nevertheless it’s unclear what type that can take presently.
Others demanded that Carnival Freedom be despatched again to dry dock for additional upkeep – she was final there for refurbishments in 2023 – or insisted that she be faraway from service completely, calling again to when she caught hearth in 2024 as one other instance of when issues went incorrect.
This additionally isn’t the primary time a Carnival ship has been held up by an surprising environmental state of affairs. Carnival Magic was delayed in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, by discharged soot again in 2023, however that delay solely lasted a couple of hours and didn’t influence the itinerary.
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