UPDATE: 11:30 p.m. EDT, Sept. 8: The Carnival Liberty was still in St. Thomas. The ship did not sail to San Juan as hoped on Sept. 8. Carnival said it decided to fly all passengers home from St. Thomas, many on chartered aircraft. All guests are getting full refunds and a 50 percent discount on a future cruise. This is in addition to a $150-per-person shipboard credit. The ship is expected to return to its homeport of San Juan later this week. "We apologize to our guests for this unexpected disruption to their vacation and the inconvenience they are experiencing," Carnival said.
The Carnival Liberty remained docked at St. Thomas on Sept. 8 as authorities investigated the cause of an engine room fire the previous day. No injuries were reported.
Carnival Cruise Line said all hotel services are operating normally, including air-conditioning, elevators, toilets and galleys. The ship offered its usual schedule of activities and dining options.
The fire broke out sometime around 11 a.m. Sept. 7 in the ship's aft engine room and was extinguished by the fire suppression systems. Passengers and non-essential crew were disembarked and were offered refreshments, updates and the chance to relax in a reception area of a nearby hotel. Passengers later reboarded in anticipation of an 8 p.m. departure time, but the ship remained in place overnight.
Guests were allowed to go ashore. Carnival provided complimentary shuttle service to popular areas on the island along with a $150 per person shipboard credit.
The cruise line said a team of experts was conducting a deeper technical assessment of the affected engine area and working with the U.S. Coast Guard, the vessel's flag state and other authorities.
Carnival Liberty departed San Juan Sept. 6 for a seven-day Caribbean cruise with 3,346 guests and 1,150 crew onboard.
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