On 11 December, while Oceania Cruises’ Insignia was berthed at St Lucia, two contractors and one crew member died in an engine room fire on board. The ship was on a ten-night voyage from San Juan to Miami when the incident occurred, and all passengers were flown to Miami after the remainder of the cruise was cancelled.
The extent of the damage forced the cancellation of several more cruises, including segments of the world cruise, which will now start in Singapore on 22 March. The ship was towed to San Juan, Puerto Rico for repairs, which were expected to take nine weeks. It was confirmed that damage was limited to the engine room. Insignia is one of three (soon to be four) of the second generation of ships built for Renaissance Cruises owned and operated by Oceania Cruises.
