Fire-Damaged Cruise Ship Back in Service Jan. 16

The 952-foot Carnival Splendor, which was towed to San Diego last week after an engine fire crippled the cruise ship and left its 4,500 passengers and crew marooned at sea, will be out of service until mid-January.

The ship was towed to San Diego where the Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are examining the damaged engine.

Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) says nine voyages have been canceled.

In a statement Nov. 16, Carnival said weekly Mexico Riviera voyages through a Jan. 9 departure have been canceled while repairs are completed. The ship will sail from Long Beach on Jan. 16.

Guests scheduled on the canceled voyages get a full refund of cruise fares and air transportation costs, along with a 25 percent discount on a future cruise.