Carnival Fascination will not call at Philipsburg (St Maarten Island, Dutch Antilles) today, April 14 (Saturday), due to massive dump fire that started Friday afternoon.
Carnival Fascination was the only cruise vessel scheduled to visit today. This adds another blow to country’s Hurricane Irma-ravaged and recovering economy.
According to Port St. Maarten statement last night, the decision had been taken to protect the image of the country as well as to avoid negative visitor experience in close consultation with key stakeholders, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, acting Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Cornelius de Weever, St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.
Last night the Fire Department was still battling the fire which forced the evacuation of Government Administration Building Friday afternoon.
For other Carnival Fascination accidents and incidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.