Cruise & Cruise Line

Mechanical Issues Forces Cruise to be Canceled Mid Voyage

Image: PHOTO: Cruise ship deck. (photo via LeeYiuTung/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Image: PHOTO: Cruise ship deck. (photo via LeeYiuTung/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:30 AM ET, Tue November 20, 2018

Thousands of passengers traveling on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship were stranded in Puerto Rico Sunday after the ship suffered from mechanical issues.

According to CBSMiami.com, the Norwegian Jade departed from Miami Friday on a 10-day voyage scheduled to stop in Barbados, St. Kitts and St. Lucia, but the ship was forced to abandon the sailing Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Passengers were notified by the captain late Sunday night the remainder of the cruise had been canceled. Crew members informed travelers there were no safety concerns, but the mechanical issues would not allow the vessel to continue the voyage.

Norwegian officials continue to work with charter airlines to fly passengers from San Juan to Miami Tuesday. In addition, impacted customers will receive a full refund and a 100 percent credit for a future cruise.

Travelers who secure their own flight back to the United States will also be eligible to receive up to $650 reimbursement. The ship also opened up its internet service free of charge to passengers to help book their travel home or contact family members.

The Norwegian Jade is expected to undergo several days of repairs when it returns to Miami in the coming days.

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this unexpected situation has caused, especially during this special holiday cruise," a Norwegian spokesperson said in a statement.


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