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Cruise Ship ‘Costa Fortuna’ stuck in Tortola’s Road Harbour!

The cruise ship 'Costa Fortuna' has been stuck in Road Harbour since yesterday February 22, 2015 with mechanical issues and it is yet unclear when it will be departing. Photo: Internet source
It is not clear whether the BVI Ports Authority is collecting fees for the extra days the ship is berthed in Territorial Waters. Photo: VINO/File
It is not clear whether the BVI Ports Authority is collecting fees for the extra days the ship is berthed in Territorial Waters. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Many persons might be admiring the view of a huge cruise ship in the Road Town Harbour on the main Island of Tortola in the Virgin Islands.

However, the cruise ship ‘Costa Fortuna’ with over four thousand (4,000) passengers and crew is stuck in Tortola’s Road Harbour since it arrived on Sunday February 22, 2015 at about 7:30 AM, and it remains unclear when it will depart.

The ship was scheduled to depart Sunday at around 6:00pm. The ship owned by Carnival Corporation is said to have developed a technical problem while anchored in the harbour.

However, it is our news room’s understanding that while the ship is stuck in Road Harbour passengers are being allowed off the ship to go for dinner or walk around Road Town. It is unclear if the BVI Ports Authority is collecting fees for the extra days the ship is berthed in Territorial Waters.

Safety issues?

Calls to the BVI Ports Authority late this evening went unanswered, however this news site’s sources within the Cruise Line industry confirmed that they are awaiting some outside expertise to address the challenges. They confirmed that the ship will not depart Road Harbour until the matter is resolved.

“Safety at sea remains priority for the sector,” the source said. However, the source declined to comment further. The local agency Romney and Associates when reached said they had no comment as the Company may release an official statement on the matter.

When the Carnival Corporation was reached at the Miami, Florida Headquarters about the status of their ship ‘Costa Fortuna’ it appeared that it was after hours there, since we were greeted with a telephone recording.

It also remains unclear with two ships expected in Road Harbour tomorrow February 24, 2015 if there will be issues of space in the Harbour or if the ‘Costa Fortuna’ is not ready to depart whether it will go farther out to sea.

Ships cannot berth at the Port’s Pier because of the ongoing construction for the extension of the cruise ship pier which is one of the most controversial projects of the three year old National Democratic Party Administration.

Carnival Corporate

Carnival Corporation & PLC is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world. Their portfolio of leading cruise brands includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in North America.

Carnival Corporation operates a fleet of more than 100 ships, with another seven ships scheduled for delivery between January 2015 and March 2017. According to its webpage they have approximately 200,000 guests and 77,000 shipboard employees, and more than 277,000 people sailing aboard the Carnival fleet at any given time.

21 Responses to “Cruise Ship ‘Costa Fortuna’ stuck in Tortola’s Road Harbour!”

  • Yes (23/02/2015, 23:06) Like (8) Dislike (42) Reply
    well saw the sins of the NDP LOL
    • Educated One (24/02/2015, 08:36) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
      Check this jack donkey! It is good for us, more people eating, buying and taxis making money
    • Peng (24/02/2015, 10:44) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      IDIOT!!!! cant you not see tis more revenue for the territory...people are being allowed ashore to spend money...I hope its stuck there for a month....they will have to stock up at all the supermarkets on the islands,...huge profits for BVI
    • nonsense (24/02/2015, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is not the sins of the NDP things happen.
  • big bird (23/02/2015, 23:47) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    at least it make the dead harbour come alive
  • just saying..... (23/02/2015, 23:53) Like (1) Dislike (27) Reply
    huum I thought we did not have enough room for the OECD confrence ting and the rest ppl was staying on the ship as hotel rooms... thanks VINO we can count on you fro information!!!!
  • the rock (24/02/2015, 00:03) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    What could be more ironic is I just look out and saw the ship and went on VINO and saw this...hope all goes well and they get compension for there try that was delayed
  • dog (24/02/2015, 00:19) Like (9) Dislike (54) Reply
    these mega ships are accidents waiting to happen. they are too big for these islands. Everywhere the passengers go, they tie up traffic for the residents, even safaris blocking any movement at frenchman's cay. it is a safety hazard if there is an emergency. With several other ships arriving, how can cane garden bay or any other site accommodate them while trying not to disrupt residents' quality of life? answer- it can't. Be careful what you ask for.
    • @ dog (24/02/2015, 08:13) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
      So you want employment but don't want people to visit the islands. Are you going to farm or fish in the hot sun?
    • homegrown (24/02/2015, 08:58) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      IDIOTIS: WHEN THE BRAIN SHUTS DOWN BUT THE MOUTH KEEP TALKING.........
    • smh.. (24/02/2015, 09:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      i wish i could dislike ur comment a million times, can someone be sooo dumb?!!!!!
  • Wow! (24/02/2015, 01:03) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    Carnival salt sah!
  • kenny Rogers (24/02/2015, 01:07) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Will the casino be opened to the public? I am ready to gamble.
  • Hooray (24/02/2015, 08:03) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let them spend on this island - we should be happy. We need a few more ships to spend several days rather than hours here. Boost our economy. If they spend 3 days here, that's 3 times the amount of money likely to be spent here and the sister islands will also be able to benefit as passengers now have time to got VG, JVD, Scrub, Norman etc.
  • i from here (24/02/2015, 08:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice! We collecting good from this! Tourist shopping, more tours, they will have to buy more water, food etc from us.
  • No Name (24/02/2015, 08:57) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is unclear if the BVI Ports Authority is collecting fees for the extra days the ship is berthed in Territorial Waters.

    If they do, they don't have a heart. Not the passengers fault.
  • .... (24/02/2015, 11:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well saw
  • wize up (24/02/2015, 14:06) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    we need to eventually develop the technical skills needed in this industry
  • Bvi lander (24/02/2015, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have you read this comments you people wrote. Tourist and people all around the world read this comments. No matter what headline that comes up.These ignorance is express. Have you our your family member face issue that would reach the media. What goes around comes around. If you went on a cruise would you be excited to be stock for days? And read commence as this while being dock.
    • wize up (24/02/2015, 21:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      VINO: is the voice of the people for the people by the people......


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