PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Thousands of cruise passengers are finally at sea after the departure of their ship was delayed for several hours.
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The Carnival Freedom left the Port Canaveral Thursday night, setting sail for the Bahamas.
The ship was supposed to leave around 3 p.m., but Carnival said the departure was delayed while “Carnival Freedom’s team managed an environmental matter.”
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A Carnival spokesperson told Channel 9 that passengers were being updated throughout the delay.
A statement from the cruise line further explained the issue:
“Carnival Freedom’s team promptly investigated and cleaned an oily sheen around the ship after notifying Port Canaveral and Coast Guard officials Thursday. Internal systems and a thorough survey of the ship’s exterior conducted by a dive team showed no discharge from the ship. All regulatory requirements were followed and the USCG cleared the ship for departure. Carnival Freedom is sailing to the Bahamas, with a visit to Nassau shifting from Friday to Sunday.”
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