Princess Cruises has announced the cancellation of the Regal Princess sailing scheduled for November 10th, 2024, despite earlier assurances that repairs would be completed. This is the 3rd consecutive canceled voyage for the vessel, following the October 27th and November 3rd departures.
The cancellations stem from ongoing technical challenges with the ship's power generators. Although one generator issue was initially addressed, a new fault in another generator has necessitated further repair work to ensure the vessel's full operational readiness and safety. The latest canceled itinerary was a 7-night Western Caribbean voyage departing from Galveston TX with planned calls at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.
These repeated cancellations have disrupted the travel plans of numerous passengers, with the Western Caribbean itinerary - a favored choice for combining relaxation and adventure - particularly popular among cruisers. Passengers have expressed frustration, especially given prior reassurances that this sailing would proceed. Princess Cruises has conveyed its regret over the disruption and affirmed its commitment to swiftly addressing the technical issues.
Earlier this season, the Regal Princess encountered difficulties during a Transatlantic crossing from the UK (Southampton) to Texas, including a minor engine room fire and subsequent power outages. Passengers affected by the November 10th cancellation will receive a full refund and an enhanced future cruise credit (FCC) of 50% toward a future booking, in contrast to the 25% FCC offered for the 2 prior cancellations. It remains uncertain whether this increased FCC offer will apply retroactively to guests affected by the previous cancellations.