CAPE GROUP WILL GET FREE CRUISE

A group of Cape Girardeau residents are stuck today without vacation plans, following an announcement this week that their cruise ship has been "beached" for a while.

But, when the vacationers decide on new summer or fall cruise plans, they're in for a pleasant surprise -- a free cruise.

A large group of Girardeau area residents were in the process of packing for a Thursday air flight to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where they were scheduled to board Celebrity's Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, the Infinity, Friday for an eight-day cruise to Alaska.

The new "5-Star" liner, described as "magnificent," with spacious staterooms and suites complete with verandahs, was ready until Tuesday, when the 91,000-ton vessel encountered engine problems and was put on "hold" for two weeks.

"Luckily, no one had left Cape Girardeau yet," said Mark Hill, of Destinations Unlimited, 866 N. Kingshighway, which booked the cruise through Celebrity Cruise Lines. "Everyone will be reimbursed for the cruise and will be granted a free cruise."

The Infinity, which has been in service since February, has a guest capacity of 1,950.

"All fares will be returned," verified a spokesman with Celebrity Cruises.

The entire group from Cape Girardeau may not be able to reschedule a time available for all, but they don't have to reschedule as a group," said Hill.

"They can reschedule any time, any cruise," he said. "In fact, some of them have already rescheduled a different cruise."