Cruise passengers who had booked a trip on RCI-Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas were recently informed of the cancellation of their voyage. The cruise, originally scheduled to depart from Seward, Alaska, on September 1st, had to be called off due to unexpected mechanical problems with the ship.
The cruise had promised a scenic 7-day journey from Seward to Vancouver, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Haines, creating high expectations among travelers. Unfortunately, these expectations were not met as passengers were informed about the cancellation. The notification cited issues with the vessel's propulsion system, affecting its speed, as the primary cause for the cancellation. However, specific details about the affected components of the propulsion system were not provided in the letter distributed to passengers.
According to the letter, sent by the company to inform passengers about the situation, "Radiance of the Seas' propulsion system experienced a technical issue which impacts the ship's speed." It also explained that despite their best efforts, the necessary repairs couldn't be completed in time for the scheduled departure, leading to the regrettable decision to cancel the cruise.
Recognizing the disappointment and inconvenience caused to its passengers, Royal Caribbean International announced a series of compensatory measures. Passengers who had booked the cruise and any shore excursions through the cruise line will receive full refunds for their costs. Additionally, those who had arranged their air travel through Royal Caribbean will have their flights rescheduled to minimize disruptions to their travel plans. Passengers who made their own flight arrangements will receive a credit of up to $600 to assist with changes to their pre-booked return flights.
In an attempt to make the best of the situation, Royal Caribbean International has offered passengers the option to stay on the Radiance of the Seas until Sunday, September 3rd. During this extended stay, passengers will receive complimentary services, including internet access, beer and wine, and a shuttle service into Seward, allowing them to explore the local area while awaiting their departure.
As of now, Royal Caribbean has not provided any additional information regarding the extent of the mechanical issues on the Radiance of the Seas or whether they will affect future sailings.
For more Radiance of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.