Kingston, Jamaica – Passengers on the Freedom of the Seas cruise ship, on which there was a fire this morning (July 22) enroute to the Falmouth cruise ship pier in Trelawny, have since disembarked and have proceeded on several scheduled ground tours to locals attractions and places of interest.
Vice President, Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations at the Port Authority of Jamaica explained that “earlier in response to the fire local emergency services including fire and ambulance were placed on standby should their services be needed. Additionally the fire boat was on its way to assist, however the team was told to stand down as it was not needed due to the short duration of the fire.”
He added “I would like commend the emergency services for their prompt response to the emergency even though in the end their assistance was not required as the crew on the ship had extinguished the blaze. The owners of the vessel Royal Caribbean International have also praised the Jamaican response.”
Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill stated “I am very pleased that the emergency was well handled and that our visitors have been able to continue their vacation by visiting several of Jamaica’s world class attractions.”
Royal Caribbean said Wednesday that a fire broke out in a mechanical space on one of its cruise ships—Freedom of the Seas—as it was pulling into Falmouth, Jamaica.
The company said in a statement that the fire was extinguished, but “in an abundance of caution,” the captain assembled all guests at the ship’s assembly stations. All systems are functioning on the ship, which is alongside Falmouth, the statement said.
The ship is on a seven-night sail that started in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on July 19.
