Carnival cruise ship docked at port. (Flickr/elcoleccionista)

The company is flying all passengers back to Florida after a failed generator caused extensive power failure and some toilets to overflow, preventing the ship to leave the port of the Caribbean island St. Maarten

Although power was eventually restored and facilities were working, disgruntled passengers were not allowed to leave the ship during the seven-hour ordeal, according to CNN.

MORE: Carnival Passengers Finally Heading Home, Lawsuits Follow

Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said Thursday 4,300 guests were aboard along with about 1,200 crewmembers, and the company's Facebook page has been posting continuous updates since power shortages were first reported Wednesday night.

"During regularly scheduled testing of the ship's emergency diesel generator, a malfunction occurred," Carnival said in a statement.

"While personnel continue to work on the technical issue we are making arrangements to fly all guests home via private charter flights and scheduled flights from St. Maarten. Guests on the current voyage will receive a refund equivalent to three days of the voyage and 50 percent off a future cruise.

Most passengers and crew are waiting to be flown to Florida after finally being allowed off the stalled ship this morning.

"We are also canceling the ship's next voyage which is scheduled to depart on Saturday, March 16," the statement continued.

There have been onflicting accounts from passangers and Carnival Cruise Line officials about the overflowing toilets. Officials say only a few toilets broke down and most were working again by 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Other passengers detailed more serious problems.

Mary and Terry Washington of Tampa, Florida, however, told the Associated Press that the generator malfunction gave them an additional day to spend in St. Maarten.

"The plumbing is fine," Mary Washington said. "The food is fine. Everything is fine."

Carnival Corp. is still dealing with a class-action lawsuit filed after last month’s malfunction crippled the Carnival Triumph for five days, leaving more than 4,200 passengers without power or working toilets.

Passengers aboard the Dream will receive a refund equivalent to the three days spent on the cruise and 50 percent off a future cruise, Carnival officials said.

Passengers scheduled to travel on the Dream next Saturday have also received a full refund, as well as 25 percent off a future seven-day cruise.

Read the whole story at CNN.

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