Royal Caribbean cancels cruise due to extra days in dry dock

Royal Caribbean has announced a cruise cancellation for the sailors of the seas a little over two weeks before departure. The cancellation is due to a dry dock currently taking place in Cadiz, Spain, which is taking longer than expected.

Maintenance performed on the ship includes a new coat of paint, upgrade of the pool deck and waterslides, propeller maintenance, general hotel and engine maintenance.

sailors of the seas cruise cancelled

It seems like a terrible prank. Nevertheless, guests have booked on board sailors of the seas for a 5 night cruise departing April 1, 2023 from Port Canaveral will be disappointed to learn that Royal Caribbean has indeed canceled their cruise.

The canceled voyage was a Western Caribbean cruise that was scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida and call in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico before returning to Port Canaveral.

Guests who booked this trip have been informed of the cancellation. You have the option to either rebook on a future Royal Caribbean cruise or receive a full refund.

In the letter to guests, Royal Caribbean stated: “We are continually working to improve our ships and the many amenities they have to offer. Mariner of the Seas is currently in dry dock for routine and exciting maintenance which will take some additional time to complete these upgrades.”

“Unfortunately, this means that our cruise on April 1, 2023 has been cancelled. We know this news is disappointing and we apologize for the impact it has on your cruise.”

Since maintenance is relatively straightforward, that seems strange sailors of the seas would be delayed. However, like many other European countries, Spain, including Cadiz, has seen a significant proportion of strikes, particularly in the metals industry. This would explain any delays the ship experienced during dry dock, which began in late February.

Refund and rebooking options for guests

Royal Caribbean outlined several options for affected guests to either rebook or receive a full refund.

Option 1 allows guests to rebook on any Royal Caribbean cruise using future cruise credit. The cruise line waives non-refundable deposit change fees, but guests are responsible for any fare differences.

Guests receive a refund if the cruise fare goes down. You will also be reimbursed for non-refundable change fees and receive a 50% future cruise credit to book and sail on a new cruise by April 1, 2024.

The second option allows guests to receive a full refund of any portion of their cruise fare paid, including non-refundable deposits and prepaid amenities. You will also be reimbursed for non-refundable change fees and automatically receive a 50% future cruise credit to book and sail on a new cruise by April 1, 2024.

Guests who do not make a decision by 03/29/2023 will automatically be included in the group of guests who choose option 2.

sailors of the seas is scheduled to return to service on April 6, 2023 with a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral, Florida and calling in Cozumel, Mexico before returning to Port Canaveral.

sailors of the seas is one of five Voyager-class cruise ships owned by Royal Caribbean International. The ship can accommodate up to 4,252 passengers. After a month-long overhaul costing $120 million In 2018, as part of the Royal Amplified programme, the ship’s tonnage was increased from 138,279 to 139,863 gross tons.