News! Celebrity's Tragedy

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi all. It's been reassuring to read such community-minded and heartfelt expressions of concern about the tragedy for those folks on Celebrity's Millennium.

 

While not meaning to start another thread (it's a bit too late in the evening to ask Laura to post a sticky) we have tried to provide a detailed report in our news column about what happened, at least about what we know at this point, which is about 3 a.m. eastern time. Many thanks to all those who contributed prayers and sorrows...and many sorrows to those who are impacted. It really could have been any of us, when you come to think of it, on any shore excursion, arranged by the cruise line or not.

 

Here's our current report: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1571. We'll update it tomorrow and if you have something to share for our ongoing news coverage please feel free to send it to me at editor@cruisecritic.com.

 

And thanks.

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor

Cruise Critic

[CruiseFever]

Carolyn, here's what I got in the mail last night from Celebrity:

 

 

March 22, 2006

Dear Travel Partner,

I am writing to inform you of events involving several guests onboard

Celebrity Cruises? Millennium? that occurred earlier today.

Preliminary information indicates that 11 guests were killed and three

injured in the accident that occurred near Arica, Chile. The guests were on

an independent private tour, not affiliated with the cruise line.

The accident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time. The injured

have been taken to a local hospital. A doctor, nurse and concierge from

Millennium have been sent to the hospital to assist the injured and local

medical authorities.

Millennium departed Valparaiso, Chile, on March 19, on a 14-night sailing

that is scheduled to conclude in Fort Lauderdale on April 2. Today?s

accident occurred on the fourth day of the cruise and the ship will remain

in Arica, Chile, until further notice. The ship was carrying approximately

1,536 guests and 920 crew members.

Celebrity Cruises has established two toll-free phone lines for family

members of guests sailing on this cruise. Callers in North America should

dial 1-888-829-4050. Callers from outside North America should dial the

following number collect 305-539-4050. These numbers are for family members

only, and the company requests that the general public not use these

numbers so family members of those onboard the ship may receive information

in a timely manner.

Celebrity Cruises Vice President for Marine Operations John Krousouloudis

is leading a special assistance team from the company that is being

dispatched to the ship to help its guests and crew.

Celebrity Cruises reported the incident to the U.S. Consulate, U.S. Coast

Guard, and Bahamian authorities. The company is working in close

coordination with those organizations and Chilean authorities to assist the

injured and those onboard the ship.

The cause of the accident has not been determined, and Celebrity Cruises

will be actively involved in the investigation.

We will continue to provide additional information regarding this matter as

it becomes available. Information also will be posted on the Celebrity

Cruises web site at www.celebrity.com.

I know all of us share the pain and anguish of this terrible event. I hope

you will join me as we extend our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to

everyone who was involved in the accident, as well as their family and

friends.

Sincerely,

Daniel Hanrahan

President

Celebrity Cruises

 

 

Such a tragedy, I know all our thoughts are with them