
A Royal Caribbean ship has modified plans for 2 sailings up to now on account of “upkeep work” that is compelled the ship to scale back velocity.
The difficulty occurred sooner or later in the course of the June 21, 2025 crusing on Independence of the Seas after the ship departed Hamburg, Germany,
The 8-night cruise was scheduled to go to Rotterdam, Netherlands at 10am the next day, however the Captain knowledgeable passengers they’d be late into port.
The precise downside was not disclosed by the cruise line or the Captain, however passengers had been informed they’d be late coming into port.
“We have needed to make some changes to the occasions we’ll go to Rotterdam, Netherlands, on account of velocity restrictions from ongoing upkeep onboard,” the letter to passengers stated.
“Relaxation assured, all upkeep work is being carried out with the utmost security.”
Independence was initially scheduled to reach in Rotterdam at 11am. The preliminary up to date estimate was to reach by 1:00 or 1:30pm, however that slipped till about 2pm.
Whereas the ship was nonetheless in Rotterdam, Royal Caribbean despatched out an e mail to passengers booked on the subsequent crusing their itinerary can be altered too.
Independence of the Seas is a Freedom Class ship, first launched on April 30, 2008.
She is 154,407 gross tons and was one of many largest cruise ships on the earth when constructed.
The 15-deck ship has a 4,370 passenger capability and a crew capability of 1,370.
Skipping a port
Independence of the Seas is scheduled to sail a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise subsequent, starting on June twenty ninth.
“We wished to tell you about some adjustments to our itinerary,” the e-mail learn.
“As a result of velocity restrictions from ongoing upkeep onboard, we’ve needed to make some changes.”
The brand new plan is to skip a scheduled go to to Alesund, Norway and substitute it with a sea day.
Nevertheless, Independence will arrive one hour earlier into Molde, Norway at 7am as an alternative of 8am.
No different adjustments to the itinerary has been made.
The cruise line was fast to apologize for the final minute change and guarantee passengers the ship remains to be protected to sail on, “We’re sorry for the inconvenience. Please know that every one upkeep work is being carried out with the utmost security.”
Compensation for the change
Passengers on the June twenty ninth crusing will obtain some onboard credit score for the change in plans.
“As a token of our appreciation in your understanding, you’ll obtain a credit score to spend onboard per stateroom,” is what the e-mail stated.
$150 USD for Inside and Oceanview$200 USD for Balcony$400 USD for SuitesPlus, an extra $25 USD for every third or extra visitor to spend onboard
Any shore excursions booked by way of Royal Caribbean might be totally refunded mechanically.
Propulsion issues aren’t uncommon
Mechanical issues can happen on cruise ships, similar to they will on airplanes, buses, or trains.
Provided that they function each week, propulsion issues are pretty uncommon.
Independence of the Seas is just not a brand new ship, however Royal Caribbean invests some huge cash into routine upkeep. Nevertheless, engine issues will nonetheless sometimes occur.
It is common when there is a matter for the ship’s velocity to be affected and itinerary modified, relatively than cancelling the whole crusing.
Upkeep could be performed to the ship whereas in port if essential, relatively than pulling it out of service utterly.
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