Another Carnival cruise ship has troubles

HOUSTON – Another Carnival cruise ship has faltered, the third in a week for the troubled fleet that drew national attention last month when the Carnival Triumph broke down in the Gulf of Mexico, stranding more than 4,200 passengers who had to be towed back to shore.

Carnival Corp., the nation’s largest cruise company, announced Friday that the Carnival Legend was unable to sail at optimal speed off the coast of Honduras, bringing an early end to the seven-day Caribbean cruise for 2,500 passengers and 930 crew members who set sail from Florida last Sunday.

“Carnival Legend is experiencing a technical issue with one of the ship’s Azipod units that is affecting the vessel’s sailing speed. The ship’s safety systems and hotel services are all functioning normally,” Carnival officials said in a statement. The Azipod units are used to propel and steer the ship.

About 1,500 miles away in St. Maarten on Friday, passengers on the Carnival Dream were being flown home after their cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla., stalled at port with a generator problem Wednesday. Carnival officials said the Dream never lost power but admitted there were problems with elevators and toilets Wednesday after some passengers complained.

The Carnival Elation also ran into problems last weekend with its Azipod units and had to be escorted back to port by a tugboat as it began its voyage from New Orleans on March 9.

The Miami company’s problems appear to be weighing on its bottom line. In its earnings release Friday, it cut its forecast for the year. Carnival now expects earnings won’t exceed $2.10 a share. It previously forecast as much as $2.40.