'Minor' damage to Norwegian Escape after grounding, cruise ends, next one canceled'Minor' damage to Norwegian Escape after grounding, cruise ends, next one canceled

Norwegian Escape has remained alongside at Puerto Plata's new Taino Bay port since it was refloated shortly after midnight today. It had grounded Monday afternoon on departure.

Passengers will be flown home

All passengers will disembark in Puerto Plata and NCL is arranging their flights home. 

Norwegian Escape is based at Port Canaveral

The cruise had embarked Saturday at Port Canaveral, the ship's homeport. The March 19 sailing from Canaveral is canceled. 

Taino Bay handled its first cruise ship in mid-December. 

MSC Seashore was the first cruise ship alongside at Taino Bay on Dec. 15

That first was MSC Seashore, pictured here. For comparison's sake, it measures 339 meters/1,112 feet and 169,400gt, while Norwegian Escape is 326 meters/1,069 feet and 164,998gt. 

Many large ships, of lines ranging from Virgin Voyages to Royal Caribbean International, use the port.