RCI-Royal Caribbean faced disruptions in its Alaskan itineraries with its ship Radiance of the Seas, leading to cancellations and delays for 3 consecutive voyages in September.
Originally, the 2550-passenger liner was set to embark from Seward on September 1 and from Vancouver BC Canada on September 8 for 7-night coastal voyages. Both were called due to a technical/propulsion issue, as officially confirmed by an RCI spokesperson.
Following the repairs, the vessel remained docked in Seward's harbor. The subsequent cruise, initially scheduled for September 15, faced a 4-day delay due to an anticipated storm in the Gulf of Alaska, according to RCI's spokesperson.
The revised itinerary, shortened to 4 days, allowed for a visit only to Ketchikan, on September 20. Passengers are slated to traverse Pine Island, Seymour Narrows, and Cape Mudge on September 21 before concluding the voyage in Vancouver on September 22.
RCI emphasizes its commitment to prioritizing the safety of guests, crew, and the communities visited during these voyages. All adjustments to the itineraries were communicated to passengers and travel partners.
For passengers impacted by the September 15 delay, RCI plans to provide a 50% refund of the fare. Additionally, the company will refund any prepaid beverage packages and shore excursions associated with the missed ports of call due to the itinerary change.
As for customers affected by the September 1 and September 8 cancellations, they will receive a full refund along with FCC/future cruise credit, as confirmed by RCI.
Regarding the September 8 cruise, Royal Caribbean intends to reimburse transportation expenses, covering up to $250 per person for domestic travel and up to $500 per person for international travel.
For the September 1 cruise, which was canceled after some passengers had already boarded, RCI will reimburse transportation costs of up to $600 pp.
For more Radiance of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.