Cruise ship with 3,300 aboard loses power after engine room fire

A cruise ship with nearly 3,300 passengers on board was stranded off the coast of Mexico Tuesday after it lost power following an engine room fire, Carnival Cruise Lines said in a statement.

The fire occurred about 6 a.m. Monday in the aft engine room of the Carnival Splendor, the cruise line said in a Monday night statement posted on its website. The blaze was extinguished and no passengers or crew were injured, CNN reports.

Carnival said passengers would receive a full refund as well as reimbursement for transportation costs. Additionally, they will receive a complimentary future cruise equal to the amount paid for this voyage.

Carnival's president and chief executive officers Gerry Cahill said: "We know this has been an extremely trying situation for our guests and we sincerely thank them for their patience.

"Conditions on board the ship are very challenging and we sincerely apologise for the discomfort and inconvenience our guests are currently enduring. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority and we are working to get our guests home as quickly as possible," Independent reports.