'Grandeur Of The Seas' Returns To Baltimore After Catching Fire In May
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Back in Baltimore. The Royal Caribbean ship "Grandeur of the Seas" returns.
Gigi Barnett reports a fire engulfed part of the ship in May, causing several sailings to be canceled.
Images show a heavily damaged Grandeur of the Seas--the Royal Caribbean ship that caught fire at sea back in May. No one was injured, but the eight-day cruise was cut short for passengers.
The Grandeur is now repaired and ready to sail from the Port of Baltimore.
"It has been an extensive work that has been done. One thing is the direct damage because of the fire. But then you have the secondary damage, like water," said Trond Holm, captain.
Mere months before the fire, the Grandeur underwent a multi-million dollar overhaul. Cabins, restaurants and the pool were all upgraded.
This week, the cruise line invited a group of travel agents on board to see the repairs firsthand. Agents say many of their customers are eager to get back on board.
"You always tell your clients things happen. Fires happen on land, they're going to happen at sea," said Paul Cathcart, travel agent.
"Nobody was hurt. You got free drinks. You got an extra day at sea," said Donna Lopez, travel agent.
The Grandeur spent the last six weeks at a ship yard in the Bahamas. With its return, comes at least $1 million into the state's coffers every time it sets sail from the port.
"People worked again heroically, tirelessly and around the clock to get the ship ready and back. The ship is beautiful, everybody is excited about coming," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Royal Caribbean.
Although the fire that disabled the ship is still under investigation, the Coast Guard has cleared the Grandeur of the Seas to sail, which means it is safe for passengers.
Meanwhile, the ship leaves for an eight day cruise to Bermuda this week.
Repair crews are still working on a lounge and about 78 staterooms. Passengers in those rooms were given a full refund for this week's cruise.
