Azamara Cancels April 12 Cruise From Singapore

Azamara Club Cruises (www.cruisingpower.com) has cancelled the next voyage of Azamara Quest, originally set to depart Singapore on April 12. The line is giving guests a full refund of their cruise fare plus a 30 percent credit off a future cruise.

The ship was seriously damaged last week in a fire that occurred in one engine room off the coast of Borneo. Five crew members were injured, one seriously.

No guests were injured; those guests have since been transported to Singapore, offered replacement land options or flown home.

In the latest statement, Azamara said: "Since Sunday, April 1, Azamara Quest has remained in Sandakan (Sabah, Borneo) while teams onboard assessed the damage caused by the engine fire, and gather the necessary information in order to make a decision regarding the next voyage. Assessments such as these can be complicated, and all facts must be gathered before a decision can be reached.

"Unfortunately, due to the time needed to repair the damage caused by the fire, it is necessary to cancel Azamara Quest’s next voyage, which was scheduled to depart Singapore on April 12. We do not take any decision that impacts our guests’ vacations lightly, and are deeply sorry that this unexpected development has affected those guests’ upcoming vacation.

"As a gesture of goodwill and to thank our guests for their understanding, Azamara Club Cruises will provide all guests with a full refund of their voyage. Azamara Club Cruises would also like to have another opportunity to show our guests what the Azamara experience is all about, and will be providing each guest with a future cruise certificate for 30 percent off the cruise fare they paid for their April 12, 2012, Azamara Quest sailing.

"Again, it is regrettable that this incident occurred and spoiled our guests vacation, but we will do everything we can to assist them from this point forward."