Celebration still in dry dock; cruise shortened

Repairs on Carnival Cruise Lines' Celebration, in dry-dock in the Bahamas, have taken longer than expected. The ship, damaged August 15 when its propeller struck the bottom of the harbor while it was docking in Nassau, will resume service August 28.

The originally scheduled five-day cruise, which was to depart August 26, has been shortened to a three-day cruise to Freeport, Bahamas, departing August 28. Passengers booked on the truncated voyage will get a 50 percent refund as well as a certificate for a 50 percent discount on a future three to five-night cruise. Passengers also have the option to cancel or reschedule without penalty.

During the mishap, about 50 gallons of lubricating oil were spilled, and the ship was forced to skip Nassau, one of its two ports of call, annoying some passengers onboard.

The 1486-passenger Celebration regularly cruises from Jacksonville to the Bahamas on four- and five-night voyages.