A fire broke out aboard a Carnival cruise ship early Thursday morning, prompting a swift evacuation of passengers and crew. The incident occurred while the vessel was en route to the Bahamas from Miami, carrying over 2,500 guests and 1,000 crew members.
According to a statement released by Carnival Cruise Line, the blaze originated in the ship’s engine room shortly after 2:00 a.m. Shipboard emergency systems were immediately activated, and crew members quickly responded to contain the fire while ensuring passengers were directed to muster stations in an orderly fashion.
There were no reported injuries, and all passengers have been safely evacuated, either onto lifeboats or transferred to support vessels dispatched from nearby locations. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed their involvement in the operation and is currently assisting in returning passengers to port.
“We are grateful for the swift and professional actions of our crew and first responders,” Carnival said in a press release. “Safety remains our top priority, and we are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.”
Witnesses reported smoke filling the lower decks, though fire suppression systems appeared to operate effectively. Footage shared on social media shows passengers wearing life vests and calmly waiting for instructions, praising the crew for their organization and calm demeanor during the emergency.
The ship, now under tow, is being escorted to a nearby port for inspection and repair. Carnival has offered full refunds and future cruise credits to all affected guests.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and U.S. Coast Guard are expected to board the vessel once it docks to assess the damage and determine the fire’s origin.
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