Royal Caribbean Cruise Cancelled After Guests Are Already Onboard (2024)

Royal Caribbean International has just notified guests onboard Radiance of the Seas that the ship will not, in fact, be departing as hoped for an abbreviated Alaskan sailing. The voyage is now cancelled and guests will be debarking the ship to be sent home.

As originally planned, the ship was to have departed from Vancouver, British Columbia on Friday, April 26, but an earlier adjustment due to technical difficulties meant that guests were permitted to board on embarkation day while the ship was to spend two days in port undergoing repairs.

The revised plan was to have the ship depart on Sunday, April 28, with an adjusted route and calls to Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, along with scenic cruising in the famed Inside Passage, before returning on May 3 as per the original schedule.

Now, the entire sailing has been cancelled while the ship continues to undergo repair for a technical issue impacting its propulsion.

“Despite our best efforts, circ*mstances beyond our control have delayed our sailing further,” the letter delivered to guests’ staterooms said. “Your patience throughout this time [has] not gone unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for your understanding.”

To compensate for the difficulties and late change of plans, all passengers will be provided with a 100% refund of their cruise fare as well as a 100% future cruise credit (FCC) that may be applied to any future Royal Caribbean sailing.

Internet service onboard the ship is also open and complimentary to permit guests to more easily arrange onward travel plans, and the ship is offering an open bar – no charge for drinks – until debarkation. Reimbursem*nt is also being provided for change fees for airline reservations, as well as to help cover hotel costs.

The 90,090-gross-ton ship first developed propulsion difficulties on her repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver just days ago. Visits to Astoria, Oregon and Victoria, British Columbia were scrapped to accommodate the ship’s slower cruising speed, and so she would reach Vancouver with extra time to implement repairs before her first Alaska cruise of the season.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Cancelled After Guests Are Already Onboard (1)

That first cruise was then shortened as more time was needed to complete repairs.

“While repairs for the technical issue that we encountered on our previous sailing are still underway, we discovered that we’re going to need some extra time to get the ship in tip-top shape for you,” the notification letter for shortening the cruise read.

Guests were still permitted to board, with the expectation of finally setting sail and leaving Vancouver on Sunday, April 28. It should be noted that due to US Customs and Border Protection restrictions, travelers have not been permitted off the ship to explore Vancouver once they boarded the vessel on Friday.

Two days, however, does not provide enough time to implement appropriate repairs. Now, the entire cruise is cancelled, and guests will indeed be off the ship in Vancouver – to head home on Sunday. Passengers were notified of this decision on Saturday afternoon, just 24 hours before they will be required to debark the ship.

Eerie Similarities to Earlier Problems

These problems, including the shifting plans, shortened cruise, and last-second cancellation are eerily similar to propulsion problems Radiance of the Seas experienced at the end of August 2023.

At that time, the ship developed propulsion problems that prompted the cancellation of her September 1, 2023 departure on embarkation day. Despite immediately beginning repairs, the following sailing also had to be cancelled, just three days before embarkation.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Cancelled After Guests Are Already Onboard (2)

For those cancellations, Radiance of the Seas was undergoing repairs in Seward, Alaska, as she had been alternating northbound and southbound cruises for the Alaska season, just as is planned for her 2024 season in the Last Frontier.

While there is no word yet on the ship’s next planned departure – the May 3 departure, a one-way voyage from Vancouver to Seward – guests booked on that sailing will want to stay alert for potential adjustments or possible cancellation in the days to come.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

Radiance of the Seas is one of the older ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, having first debuted in 2001. The vessel can welcome 2,143 travelers at double occupancy, or up to 2,466 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. She is scheduled to remain in Alaska through the end of September, then will make her way to Tampa to offer Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Cancelled After Guests Are Already Onboard (2024)

FAQs

Royal Caribbean Cruise Cancelled After Guests Are Already Onboard? ›

A Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska was scrapped after guests had already boarded the ship. The ship, “Radiance of the Seas,” had been experiencing some propulsion issues, causing the cruise liner to shorten and eventually cancel the weeklong itinerary through Alaska.

What are my rights if my cruise is Cancelled? ›

When your trip is cancelled, your cruise operator should offer the choice of an alternative or a refund. When a sailing is cancelled and an overnight stay becomes necessary, your cruise operator should offer you accommodation free of charge, if possible. This can be on board the ship, or ashore.

Can you remove someone from a cruise reservation Royal Caribbean? ›

Some reservations and pre-cruise purchases can be modified in the app before you sail. For dining or shore excursions, you can either remove a Guest or cancel the entire reservation (within the cancellation policy).

How many days do you have to cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise? ›

Answer: You will get a full refund if you notify Celebrity Cruises® or Royal Caribbean International® in writing at least 75 days prior to your sailing date (60 days for 3 & 4-night cruises or 90 days for holiday sailings).

Can I get off a cruise and not get back on? ›

According to U.S. law, you can set sail and then disembark at a foreign port. However, although it is allowed by U.S. law, there are still foreign laws and cruise line policies to contend with. In some countries, laws prohibit cruise passengers from permanently disembarking.

What is Royal Caribbean's current cancellation policy? ›

What kind of refund am I entitled to if I cancel my cruise booking?
FOR 5 NIGHTS OR LONGER CRUISES (including Holiday sailings and Cruisetours) IF CANCELLATION IS MADECANCELLATION CHARGE
74 to 61 days50% of total price
60 to 31 days75% of total price
30 days or less100% of total price (No refund)
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What happens if a cruise line cancels your cruise? ›

In general, cruise lines would rather not give out refunds, so they use bonuses of additional future cruise credits if you choose credit rather than a refund. You will get little assistance for your non-cruise travel arrangements unless those were booked through the cruise line.

Does Royal Caribbean refund cruise with confidence? ›

If desired, guests wishing to cancel prior to the Final Payment due date can absolutely do so for a full refund of all monies paid to Royal Caribbean and receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount of any nonrefundable deposit paid.

Can you switch people out on a cruise? ›

An original guest must remain on the booking, otherwise, this is considered a full stateroom cancellation and applicable cancellation penalties will be assessed to the original guests; new guests will be subject to prevailing cruise and air rates.

Can I transfer my cruise reservation to another person? ›

Broadly speaking, you can transfer virtually any existing reservation that hasn't already been paid in full, and we're standing by to walk you through the process, which typically involves little more than filling out a simple form.

How much does it cost to change cruise date in Royal Caribbean? ›

Multiple adjustments to the ship and/or sail date of a booking will result in the assessment of a $100 per guest change fee for each qualifying change made to the reservation. There is no limit on the number of change fees that can be incurred.

Should I get Royal Caribbean travel insurance? ›

Because our liability for loss or damage is limited by the Cruise Ticket Contract, we recommend that all guests check their own insurance coverage or consider purchasing the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program.

How does Royal Caribbean non-refundable deposit work? ›

What kind of refund am I entitled to if I cancel my cruise booking? Select fare programs require the payment at the time of booking of a nonrefundable deposit. That deposit amount shall not be refunded at any time after it has been paid. Change fees will apply to bookings for which the deposit is nonrefundable.

What happens if someone gets left behind on a cruise? ›

Travelers who do not board their ship in time are generally responsible for getting themselves to the next port of call, according to Kuther. Travel insurance won't be much good in that scenario, either.

Does Royal Caribbean allow downlining? ›

Guests can request to embark or disembark at a port of call other than the scheduled embarkation/disembarkation port. This is referred to as “down lining” and is on a request basis only, subject to consideration and approval by Royal Caribbean.

What happens if you miss the time to get back on a cruise ship? ›

What to do if you miss your cruise ship. When the crew realizes that there are passengers who didn't reboard the vessel, they will leave those passengers' passports with port staff so they can travel to the next port if it's in a different country.

Does travel insurance cover if cruise is Cancelled? ›

That's because travel insurance is an affordable cost that can potentially protect you from huge costs: the cost of canceling your cruise, the cost of receiving emergency medical care when you're overseas, the cost of a medical evacuation from the ship to a hospital, the cost of replacing your possessions if your ...

What happens if Carnival cancels your cruise? ›

If Carnival cancels your cruise, or delays your cruise for more than 3 calendar days, and you do not accept an alternative cruise or choose not to travel on a delayed cruise, you are entitled to a refund of your cruise fare paid and charges for accommodations, services and facilities (including port fees, taxes and ...

What happens if my Carnival cruise gets canceled? ›

Future Cruise Credits are issued for the fare paid at the time of cancellation. For example, if you have paid in full for the cruise at the time it is cancelled, your FCC will be issued in the amount you paid. If you have only paid a deposit, the FCC would be for that amount, not the full fare of the cruise.

Can I transfer my cruise to another date? ›

Customer may transfer their reservation at any time after booking (must be outside of final payment; customer will lose their deposit if it has already been paid to the cruise line).

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