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Introduction
Royal Caribbean International has revised its final outfitting plans for the Star of the Seas, the latest Icon-class vessel, due to ongoing labor unrest at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain. The ship’s originally scheduled 2-week stop has been reduced to a brief 3-day port call from July 24 to 26, 2025. The remaining outfitting work will be relocated to Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
Details of the Change
Revised Refit Plan:
- Star of the Seas was initially slated to remain in Cádiz for 14 days for final outfitting and inspection.
- Due to metalworkers’ strikes, the vessel will now visit Cádiz for only three days (July 24–26) before heading to Finland to complete a 7-day outfitting extension at Meyer Turku.
- Departure from Turku is now expected on or around July 17 at 17:00 local time, with a delay already acknowledged by the line.
Background on Labor Unrest:
- The disruption stems from an ongoing strike by metalworkers at Navantia, which began with formal action on June 18–19, escalating into a prolonged dispute.
- Issues include pay equity, industrial protections, and working conditions. While one union has reached an agreement, another remains in indefinite strike mode.
- Recent protests included property damage and five reported arrests, increasing concern over project timelines and site stability.
Industry Impact and Precedents:
- This mirrors a decision earlier in the summer by Carnival Cruise Line to reroute Carnival Liberty mid-refit from Cádiz to Marseille, resulting in a EUR 4.5 million compensation claim.
- Other cruise lines have also responded: P&O Cruises’ Ventura bypassed Cádiz in June for similar reasons.
- Royal Caribbean has previously conducted nine refits at Navantia between 2023–2024, including a EUR 100 million project for Allure of the Seas.
- This trend may indicate a growing reluctance among cruise operators to rely on Cádiz until labor stability is restored.
Forward Outlook:
- The outfitting shift to Finland is aimed at avoiding further delays, ensuring that Star of the Seas remains on track for service entry.
- Navantia faces increased scrutiny over its reliability as a cruise ship outfitter and may see diminished confidence from major cruise clients in the months ahead.