Radiance Of The Seas Propulsion Failure Causes Multiple Voyage Cancellations in September 2023

On September 1, 2023, Radiance Of The Seas encountered severe propulsion issues, leading to the cancellation of its planned 7-day “Southbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise.” Passengers were immediately informed about the unfortunate cancellation upon boarding the ship in Seward.

Details of the Propulsion Issues

The ship faced propulsion issues when one of its Azipods malfunctioned on August 25th. Despite exhaustive repair efforts by the technical crew, the propulsion problem persisted. Specialists from ABB Marine & Ports were flown in to Seward to diagnose and address the issue. Some speculate that the Azipod may have been damaged by a collision with submerged ice.

Comprehensive Compensation for Affected Passengers

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is offering complete refunds, covering cruise fares, taxes, and fees, along with other pre-paid packages. Passengers also received a 100% Future Cruise Credit for voyages up to September 1, 2024. An additional compensation of up to US$600 per person was also provided for change fees on pre-booked travel.

Extended Impacts and Subsequent Voyage Cancellations

Due to the unresolved propulsion issues, another voyage scheduled for September 8th was canceled. This additional time will allow for the completion of necessary machinery repairs. Royal Caribbean is offering similar compensation packages for this canceled voyage as well.

Note: Affected passengers for both cancellations are eligible for reimbursement on pre-purchased, non-refundable travel expenses, with domestic passengers receiving up to US$250 and international ones up to US$500.