After a series of setbacks, including 3 canceled sailings, Princess Cruises has announced that the 2014-built, 4300-passenger Regal Princess ship is scheduled to resume operations this Sunday, November 16th, with a Western Caribbean itinerary. The vessel has remained in the Galveston Ship Channel since its arrival on October 27th, following a month-long transatlantic crossing from Southampton (England).
The delays stemmed from an engine room fire and resulting power outages during the transatlantic voyage, which left the ship inoperable. Despite initial repairs to address these issues, a subsequent failure of a second power generator led to the cancellation of the November 10th sailing, adding to the disruptions of earlier planned voyages on October 27th and November 3rd.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Princess Cruises confirmed that essential work had been completed to resolve the generator issues. The cruise line emphasized its commitment to ensuring the ship's readiness, stating that the Regal Princess is now fully operational and prepared to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for guests.
The November 17 voyage is a regularly scheduled itinerary rather than a replacement for any of the canceled sailings. Princess Cruises has assured affected passengers that they are eligible for a full refund and a 50% future cruise credit valid for bookings made by May 25th, 2025, for sailings through May 25th, 2026.
The upcoming cruise will serve as a critical opportunity for Princess Cruises to regain passenger confidence and demonstrate the reliability of the Regal Princess after a challenging series of events.