By the time the fire was out, the flames had roared through more than 150 cabins on four decks, leaving a mass of twisted metal on a blackened hull.

The fire left one American person dead, apparently of a heart attack, said Gerald Cahill, chief financial officer of the Carnival shipping line. Two passengers suffered significant smoke inhalation, while nine others were affected by the smoke, but less seriously.

Emergency officials were waiting when the ship arrived a few hours later in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with the injured passengers on board.

The cause of the fire had not been determined but crew members said they believed smoking was a factor.

The ship was carrying 2,690 passengers and 1,123 crew members when it left Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 19, headed for the western Caribbean resorts of Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Princess Cays.

There were at least four people from the Greater Toronto Area on board when the fire happened. They were not injured.

The Star Princess is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. It was built in 2002.