Originally expected back by tug to Ensenada, Mexico, the Carnival Splendor is now headed to San Diego with arrival expected on Thursday afternoon, as opposed to a Wednesday arrival in Mexico.

Passengers onboard are reportedly without power as an engine fire on Monday morning left the ship with just emergency backup power. Crews have not been successful in restarting the engines. The US Navy along with the Coast Guard are on scene as tugs tow the Carnival Splendor at four knots. The Coast Guard also dropped in fresh supplies to the ship via helicopter.

The consumer media has jumped on the incident, but the cruise industry needs to be praised for its safety record. No injuries were reported on the Splendor, which is carrying 3,299 passengers, are it is the first relatively “high-profile” incident this year in an industry with just about 300 ships and a 2010 passenger capacity of more than 18 million, according to the 2010 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.