The Carnival Freedom cruise ship has ignited controversy after a fire broke out in its exhaust funnel during a Caribbean voyage, marking the second such incident in under two years. The fire occurred on March 23, 2024, approximately 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. Witnesses reported a lightning strike as a possible cause, though the U.S. Coast Guard and Carnival Cruise Line are conducting separate investigations .
The blaze resulted in part of the funnel collapsing onto Deck 10, emitting smoke into passenger cabins. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though two crew members received minor treatment for smoke inhalation . The ship’s systems remained operational, but the damage necessitated immediate repairs. As a result, cruises scheduled for March 25 and 29 were canceled, and affected passengers received full refunds and future cruise credits .
This incident follows a similar fire in May 2022 when the ship was docked at Grand Turk Island. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) participated as a “substantially interested state” in the investigation, highlighting the international scope of such incidents .
Carnival Cruise Line has stated that the funnel will be restored during the vessel’s next scheduled dry dock in 2024 . The U.S. Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation and has issued a Captain of the Port order to ensure safety before the ship’s return to Port Canaveral .
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