Close Call

Carnival Cruise Stranded

Because of engine fire.

The Carnival Splendor cruise ship was stranded briefly at sea after an engine fire, floating 55 miles off the coast of Mexico. All 4,500 passengers and crew are unharmed. The Navy is sending an aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, to help with the ship, which tugboats will tow back to shore. When the fire first broke out in the engine room on Monday morning, passengers were told to leave their cabins and move to the upper decks. But they have since been allowed to return and were given cold food and water. The ship initially left Long Beach, California to tour the Mexican Riviera, but caught fire about 200 miles south of San Diego. Passengers have been told that they will receive a full refund from Carnival Cruise Lines.