RCI-Royal Caribbean has altered its final outfitting plans for Star of the Seas, the cruise line’s newest Icon-class vessel, due to an escalating metalworkers’ strike at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz (Spain).
Instead of the originally scheduled 2-week stay, the ship will now remain docked in Cádiz for just 3 days, from 24th to 26th (July 2025). After that brief visit, the large vessel will continue its outfitting in Finland for an additional 7 days, with departure from Meyer Turku delayed until around July 17th at 17:00 local time.
The decision mirrors similar action taken by CCL-Carnival Cruise Line earlier this summer, which diverted Carnival Liberty mid-refit away from Cádiz to Marseille amid the same labor disruptions. Carnival has since filed a EUR 4.5 million claim against Navantia for related delays.
This change presents another setback for Navantia, which had been striving to restore confidence after the strike disrupted multiple projects and led to last-minute cancellations and industrial action.
P&O UK’s ship Ventura similarly skipped a scheduled Cádiz call in June due to the unrest.
The underlying conflict involves a metalworkers’ strike called on 18–19 June, driven by disputes over pay, working conditions, and industrial protections. While one union has reached a preliminary agreement, another continues a protracted, indefinite strike. Recent flare-ups included property damage and protests, with at least five arrests reported.
Royal Caribbean’s decision reflects a growing pattern of operators opting to avoid Cádiz until the industrial dispute is resolved. The line has routinely called upon the yard—conducting nine refits in 2023–2024, including an EUR 100 million overhaul of Allure of the Seas—but this and the Carnival case might foreshadow a reshuffling of future repair contracts.
As Star of the Seas departs Turku for its final outfitting stages in Finland and a brief Cádiz visit, Navantia’s ability to retain its role as a reliable cruise ship outfitter faces renewed scrutiny amid ongoing labor tensions.