Barge bashes into ship, canceling 5-day cruise

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A barge struck a cruise ship Saturday on the Mississippi River, leaving a 30-foot gash on the ship and forcing the cancellation of a five-day cruise to the Caribbean.

There were no injuries reported on Carnival Cruise Lines' Fantasy ship or the barge, authorities and company officials said.

The barge collided with the river bank, then struck the port side of the cruise ship as it waited to dock, according to a statement from the cruise line.

There was minor damage to the barge, which was one of six rice barges being pushed by the towing vessel Repentance. Carnival said the 2,050 passengers who had been allowed to board were later told their cruise had been canceled because repairs would take several days.