Three die in cruise ship engine room fire

Three people died – two contractors and a crewmember – when fire broke out in the engine room of cruise ship Insignia today.

The incident happened in port at Castries, on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. None of the 656 passengers was hurt, and they have all now been disembarked. The remainder of the ship’s 10-day cruise – which began in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday and was due to end in Miami next Wednesday – has been cancelled.

Insignia owned by Oceania Cruises and is identical to two of the line’s other vessels,  Nautica and Regatta. All three were originally built for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises. In March 2012, another identical ship, Azamara Quest, was crippled by an engine room fire which injured five members of crew. 

Oceania spokesman Jason Lasecki said three crewmembers and the two contractors were taken to hospital following the fire, which occurred at about  9.30 am local time. One crewman was later released, and the other was being treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

The passengers are being accommodated in local  hotels until they can be flown to Miami. It is not yet known how many were from the UK.

Oceania Cruises President and Chief Operating Officer Jason Montague, flew to St lucia with a team of guest and crew support and technical personnel. This team is leading the effort to ensure guests and crew are well cared for, as well as working with the ship’s team and authorities to assess the situation. 

Insignia was given a multi-million pound refurbishment earlier this year after returning to Oceania after a two-year charter to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises who operated it as Columbus 2. Together with Regent Seven Seas, Oceania was the subject of a $3 billion takeover by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in September.

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Canary Islands and Caribbean offers from Thomson Cruises

Caribbean – Under £850

ThomsonCruises offers a seven night Caribbean Treasures cruise on Thomson Celebration from £848 per person (saving £360 per couple). This cruise departs from Bridgetown, and visits St Barths, Philipsburg, Basseterre, St John’s and Roseau.

Based on two adults sharing a deck 1 or 2 outside cabin on a full-board basis, departing 30 November from Gatwick airport. Price includes return flights, transfers, port taxes, tips and service charges.

Canary Islands, Caribbean & Jamaica – Under £1,050

Thomson Cruises offers an 18 night Transatlantic Sunrise cruise on Thomson Dream from £1,015 per person (saving £1,500 per couple). This cruise departs from Santa Cruz, Tenerife and visits Las Palmas, San Sebastian, St John’s, Castries, Bridgetown, St George’s, Kralendijk, Willemstad, Oranjestad, and Montego Bay. Based on two adults sharing a deck 7 outside cabin on a full-board basis, departing  5 December from Gatwick airport. Price includes return flights, transfers, port taxes, tips and service charges. 

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Cruise & Walk In The Caribbean

We know the 'cruise and walk' holidays with Ramblers Worldwide have proved popular here on Time Spent At Sea in the past, so here is another opportunity to try their unique combination with Fred. Olsen Cruises - this time on a pair of fly-cruise trips to the Caribbean early next year.

The Caribbean and Latin America 
This rare 16-night Cruise & Walk opportunity covers three islands in the Eastern Caribbean, three in the Dutch Antilles and three ports in Panama and Colombia. The adventure begins with a flight to Barbados where guests spends a night in a hotel and exploring the island before boarding Fred. Olsen’s Braemar, which then sets sail for Castries, St Lucia. From there, it is on to the Spice Island of Grenada, famed for its production of nutmeg, mace, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Next port of call is Bonaire, the most easterly of the Netherlands Antilles (and just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela), followed by Aruba.

Then it is full steam ahead for the mainland of Latin America calling at Colon close to the Panama Canal, which offers the chance to visit the San Lorenzo National Park, famed for its forests, mangroves and pastureland. Next up are Cartagena and Santa Maria in Colombia and, on the way back to Barbados for the flight home, the ship visits another of the Dutch Antilles islands, Curacao.

Prices are from £2,850 per person, departing on January 25  2015.

Islands in the Caribbean
This 16-night Cruise & Walk option begins in Barbados after a night on this exotic island on board Braemar. Then the ship sets sail for Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and thence to Havana, Cuba, for two tantalising days. Next is Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos Islands followed by St Kitts, St Maarten and Antigua (for two days), before returning to Barbados for the homeward flight.

Prices are from £2,590 per person, departing February 8, 2015.

All of the above prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, guided walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes, on-board entertainment and restaurant tips plus the services of a dedicated tour leader.

More Info: call 01707 386767 or visit www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk.

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Holland America's Caribbean Christmas

Christmas has come early at Holland America Line, with Caribbean cruises now starting from just £249 for a 'taster' cruise and £499 for a full week’s holiday, cruise-only - the perfect antidote to the hectic festive season.

Take your pick from this delightful selection:

Four night pre-Christmas Bahamas taster cruise
Departing Fort Lauderdale on December 18, this four-night voyage on board the MS Eurodam calls at Key West, Nassau and Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas). The trip is ideal for combining with a Christmas break in Florida and costs from just £249 per person cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. A verandah cabin starts from £349 per person.

Seven night Western Caribbean cruise
This week-long sailing onboard the MS Nieuw Amsterdam departs from Fort Lauderdale on January 26. The ship then calls at Half Moon Cay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Key West before returning to Fort Lauderdale. The cruise also features special performances from the professional dancers of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The trip costs from just £499 per person, cruise only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. A verandah cabin starts from £699pp.

14 night Southern Caribbean cruise
Start the New Year in style with a two-week cruise of the southern Caribbean. Departing from Tampa, on January 5, the MS Ryndam calls at Key West, San Juan, St Thomas, St John’s, Castries, Soufriere, Willemstad, Oranjestad and Grand Cayman. This leisurely cruise to some of the Caribbean’s less well-known islands starts from just £1,109 per person cruise only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. Ocean view starts from £1,229pp.

More info: visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk or call 0843 374 2300.

 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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More Caribbean From Fred Olsen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has introduced a fourth Caribbean fly-cruise in 2015 to satisfy increased demand to the great winter sun destination. 

The 16-night ‘Caribbean Transatlantic Fly-Cruise’ offers guests a chance to fly to Bridgetown (Barbados) from London Gatwick or Manchester on February 23, 2015, to join 929 guest-ship Braemar. This delightful sunshine cruise will then take in the beautiful destinations of Castries (St. Lucia), St. John’s (Antigua), Basseterre (St. Kitts), Philipsburg (St. Maarten) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel, Azores) before cruising back to Dover.

Fred. Olsen introduced three new Caribbean fly-cruise itineraries last month after its customers had lobbied for the return of this popular programme, and this fourth option is indicative of the continuing huge demand in voyages to the region.

The cruise is now on sale and details are as follows:

Joining Braemar in Barbados, guests will have ample opportunity to soak up the Caribbean sunshine before arriving at the first port of call, Castries. This vibrant destination offers a chance to relax on the white sand beaches or explore the tropical rainforest.

Next stop is the lively port of St. Johns, before moving onto Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts, and one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean. Braemar then sets sail for the island of St. Maarten, home to gourmet food, world-class duty free shopping, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with a Caribbean twist.

Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, is the last call. This historic centre still has a fishing village feel, with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and a waterfront promenade. Braemar then returns to Dover.

Prices for this cruise start from £799 per person (cruise only), based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. One-way flights from London Gatwick or Manchester, including airport taxes and transfers, start from £400 per person. Guests can upgrade to the 'all-inclusive' drinks package for just £6.99 per person, per night. But get in soon – this price is available until September 19 only.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent experts.

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