What is the deal with Celebrity. First they had a ship out of service in the Med and then the Infinity for two weeks in Alaska. I just heard that one of their ships to Bermuda is without an engine and headed for repair. Are they getting sloppy with their maintenance or what. I can just imagine the uproar if this were Carnival or NCL. Do you have any inside info Paul?

<BR>Hi James, <BR> <BR>One of the propellers on the Century broke. A prop can only be checked or replaced in dry dock. If it was bent there would be vibration but when it breaks, it breaks. I do not recall the last time the ship was in dry dock. <BR> <BR>Celebrity is trying out a new propulsion system on it's new ships. It has been nothing but headaches. <BR> <BR>The Millenium has been in dry dock, I believe, 3 times. The designer and the shipbuilder are paying for the repair and the lost income. <BR> <BR>The ship that had the engine room fire was the Royal Caribbean Nordic Empress. A broken gas line. I do not believe it was something that could have been prevented. I read that a fitting loosened such as on an automobile. The fire was put out by the extinguishers. It happened at the end of the cruise and the ship returned to Bermuda where all passengers were flown home. Some stayed at a resort for a day. All will receive a free cruise. <BR> <BR>These are freak accidents which all cruise lines do experience often, not like NCL. When they had a fire in the engine room due to negligence and the ship was without power, including emergency lighting for 28 hours, we all received $50 per person onboard credit. They would not pay for anyone to return home even though some cabins were flooded with hot water when the pipes started breaking. A terrible cruise line. <BR> <BR>Carnival has not experienced a fire since the Ecstasy had the laundry room fire a few years ago. Some numskull was welding. I am positive supervisors are now paying closer attention. <BR> <BR>A fire in an engine room with more than likely disable a ship but due to the sprinklers he fire should be put out immediately, plus the crew are all trained in fire prevention. The fire will also be contained since all the ships built in the last 15 years or sohave fire doors that are at least 4 to 6 inches thick that close automatically. <BR> <BR>Here's a point of interest. The Royal Caribbean Voyager and Explorer have fire doors that are 4 stories high that will section off the royal promenade. The doors are hidden in the walls. Quite an engineering feat. It is awsome to see these things. It took me quite some time to find them. <BR> <BR>And do not worry about Celebrity. You are perfectly safe to sail the line. <BR> <BR>Paul

I just returned home Sun. June 17th from Bermuda on the Nordic Empress. The way the cruise line handled all of us getting home was wonderful. They brought in 6 Delta jets from Florida to get us all home, and for people who did not want to fly they brought in another ship, for them to sail home on. The efficiency of R.C. in this emergency was superb. They kept us informed every step of the way and had all their representatives guiding us even when we arrived in Kennedy airport in NY . I look forward to another cruise with them, when I turn in my free cruise certificate!

<BR>Hi Nanette, <BR> <BR>And you are also getting your money refunded. You were on your way home so you did complete your visit to Bermuda. You will end up with three cruises for the price of one. <BR> <BR>I wish Norwegian was nice and helpful to their passengers. <BR> <BR>Paul

Paul, I think you're mistaken. My husband read your reply, and we got out the paper we were given on Sat.the day after the fire incident. According to the paper we will each receive a free 7 night cruise, not about a refund. This is the last last of the letter, It is unfortunate that this incident disrupted the final day of what has been a wonderful cruise and as a means to compensate you for your inconvienience, the company is pleased to provide you with a free seven night cruise certificate, which will be mailed to your home. Our travel agent has already contacted us and she did not mention a refund but wanted us to book again through her agency. Also, Sat night we spent the night on the ship since there was no longer any immediate danger. For about a 4 hr inconvience we feel we have been treated fairly, with a free cruise.It was something that I did not expect!Nanette

Hi Nanette,<BR><BR>I believe you are correct. It was the passengers that arrived on Sunday for the next cruise that were given their money back and a free cruise. Sorry.<BR><BR>Paul

I am getting very nervous. I booked a cruise to Bermuda on the Horizon (Celebrity) and leave June 30! We did the very same cruise approx 7 years ago and believe it or not we were on the infamous legionnaire's disease cruise. Nobody in my family got ill and we had such a positive experience that we decided to redo the same cruise. Do I have a death wish?? No. I just trust that everything will be ok and that we will have a wonderful vacation. I'll keep you posted when we return. By the way, this is a wonderful site! Thank you for making it available.<BR>Happy sailing,<BR>Bonnie

Do not worry Bonnie. You are going on the best cruise line sailing Bermuda .... hands down.<BR><BR>Paul