Carnival's Splendor To Set Sail Again
MIAMI (CBS4) - After undergoing major repairs and cleaning, the Carnival Splendor will be back in action beginning Sunday.
Miami-base Carnival Cruise Lines said on Friday that the 952 foot ship had completed its sea trials and was heading to its home port in Long Beach, California to resume service.
Last November, a fire in an engine room cut the ship's power, stranding thousands of passengers for a few days off Mexico's Baja California coast. Passengers survived on a diet of non-perishable food and military rations. It took six ships to tow the Splendor back to San Diego.
"We're obviously very pleased that the Carnival Splendor is returning to service and we're looking forward to welcoming our guests aboard this fantastic ship," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival's president and CEO in a written statement. "We would also like to thank our guests for their patience over the past few weeks, as well as our travel agent partners, the ports of San Diego and San Francisco and all of the government agencies, repair contractors and countless others who have provided invaluable assistance and support."
The Splendor, which can accommodate more than three thousand passengers, will sail every Sunday on week-long cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, on Mexico's Pacific Coast
Canceled cruises and repairs reportedly cost Carnival $56 million.
