Beleaguered Cruise Liner Ends Voyage In Sabah

SANDAKAN (Sabah, Malaysia), April 2 (Bernama) -- The beleaguered Azamara Quest, which pulled into the Karamunting port here Sunday night, has ended its voyage here while arrangements are being made to fly its passengers to Singapore on Tuesday. The 560 holidaymakers were taken to various hotels here after the cruise liner docked at about 9pm. In his Facebook posting, Azamara Club Cruises president and chief executive officer Larry Pimentel said he would arrive here Monday to meet the holidaymakers and 411 crew onboard. He said the remaining part of the voyage had to be cancelled due to the fire that broke out in the engine room when the ship was in Philippine waters last Friday. Thanking Azamara Quest holidaymakers for their patience and understanding, he said he appreciated their positive attitude during the difficult journey and looked forward to welcome them back. Commending the crew for their valiant and courageous efforts, he said: "They have worked tirelessly to make our guests happy and comfortable until the ship arrived at the port. "The entire crew have been absolutely brilliant, and I couldn't be prouder of the exemplary way each and every one of them responded to this incident," he said in the posting. Pimentel said a crew member was admitted for serious injuries at the Duchess of Kent Hospital. Escorted by a ship and a boat from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Azamara Quest limped into the port at 9.23pm Sunday night. The ship sailed with only one engine after the other engine was damaged in a fire which broke out 180 nautical miles south of Palawan, the Philippines. -- BERNAMA