Bahamas Paradise cancels sailings as ship heads to Boston on relief charter

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is again taking one ship off scheduled cruise service and repositioning it for relief work.

The line said the Grand Celebration will head to Boston to provide housing for workers assisting recovery efforts after the Massachusetts gas explosions.

Scores of homes were damaged in the Merrimack Valley area due to the suspected build-up of over-pressurized gas.

More than 70 explosions affected more than 3,000 homes.

The ship set sail for Boston and will result in cancellation of its regular Grand Bahamas sailings until the beginning of December at least.

The line apologized for the last minute cancelations ‘to assist with restoration of service to communities impacted by the Massachusetts gas incident.’

It has also caused additional disruption with cancelation of the October 2 sailing of sister ship the Grand Classica.

After October 3, the Grand Classica will then operate on the Grand Celebration’s cruise schedule for the next two months.

The line advised impacted customers to contact the customer service department or their travel advisor.

Customers will be entitled to a full refund plus a $100 cruise credit.

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and hope that impacted guests will understand a decision to support a community in need," the cruise line added.

The same ship was chartered by FEMA a year ago to house relief workers in St. Thomas after last year’s devastating hurricanes.