Carnival now says it will repay the federal government for part of the costs associated with rescues following mechanical problems aboard the Triumph and the Splendor.
The cruise line had come under fire after a senator from West Virginia sent a letter asking the company if it intended to reimburse the Navy and the Coast Guard. Carnival responded that the company's policy is to follow maritime tradition, which requires all vessels at sea to help those in need.
Hannah Sampson is covering the story for the Miami Herald. She says Carnival's response didn't go over very well.
"By saying that, it was interpreted that their answer was no, but on Monday, they said actually we're going to go ahead and repay some money. We're not going to say how much we're going to repay", Sampson said. "By the way we never actually said that we weren't going to pay the money if asked for it."
Sampson says it appears that the company took this step to help improve its image. Carnival's parent company is holding its shareholders meeting Wednesday in London, and issues surrounding ship maintenance and public relations are expected to be discussed.