Cruise ship changes course after US judge orders seizure

A cruise ship that was supposed to dock in Miami has instead sailed to the Bahamas_ after a US judge granted an order to seize the vessel as part of a lawsuit over $4 million in unpaid fuel.

Cruise trackers show Crystal Symphony currently docked in the Bahamian island of Bimini.

 We all feel we were abducted by luxurious pirates! passenger Stephen Heard Fales posted on Facebook.

Some passengers were taken by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. The ferry ride was apparently  uncomfortable due to inclement weather_ according to a statement from a Crystal Cruises spokesperson. The company said guests were also taken to local airports_ but wouldn t comment on the lawsuit.

It was not immediately clear how many passengers were aboard_ with one news outlet reporting 300 and another_ 700. According to the company website_ the vessel can carry up to 848 passengers.

The ship was scheduled to arrive in Miami on Saturday. But a federal judge there issued an arrest warrant for the ship Thursday_ a maritime practice where a U.S. Marshal goes aboard a vessel and takes charge of it once it enters U.S. waters.

Passengers and entertainers said on social media they were surprised to find out about the legal case. One guest posted a letter on Facebook from Crystal Cruises Management that said the change in itinerary was due to  non-technical operational issues.

Elio Pace_ a musician who has toured off and on with the ship since 2013_ said about about 30-50 crew disembarked because their contracts ended. Another 400 crew members don t know when they ll get off_ or if they ll remain employed.

 This is a human story. This is about people and their jobs_ Pace told The Associated Press.

The lawsuit was filed in a Miami federal court by Peninsula Petroleum Far East against the ship under a maritime procedure that allows actions against vessels for unpaid debts. The complaint says Crystal Symphony was chartered or managed by Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises_ which are both sued for breach of contract for allegedly owing $4.6 million in fuel.

Crystal Cruises announced earlier this week that it was suspending operations through late April. Besides Crystal Symphony_ it has two other ships currently cruising_ which end their voyages on Jan. 30 in Aruba and on Feb. 4 in Argentina.

 Suspending operations will provide Crystal s management team with an opportunity to evaluate the current state of business and examine various options moving forward_ the company said in a statement earlier this week.