During what might be called its maiden voyage, the Ocean Star Pacific suffered a fire in a generator. Passengers had to abandon ship and be flown home from Huatulco. Billed as the first Mexican cruise ship, the Ocean Star received devastating press coverage as journalists revealed that the vessel is 40 years old, registered in Panama and crewed by non-Mexicans. Apparently life boats could not be launched and it required nearly a day to disembark the some 500 passengers on board. The public relations firm that had invited writers on a pre-inaugural cruise has announced it no longer represents the cruise line. Whether the agency quit or was fired has yet to be revealed.
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Jimm Budd
Reporting from Mexico City
Member of the Society of American Travel Writers
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