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Introduction
On January 24, 2024, Princess Cruises made a significant announcement regarding the Sun Princess. Due to unspecified issues at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard, the vessel’s delivery has been delayed. This unforeseen complication has led to the cancellation of the ship’s highly anticipated inaugural cruise, affecting numerous passengers and travel plans.
Details of the Incident
The delay in the Sun Princess’s delivery stems from structural and technical issues at the shipyard. As a result, the maiden voyage, originally scheduled to commence on February 8, has been canceled. The itinerary was set to include various Mediterranean ports, starting from Barcelona and covering destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Messina, Piraeus-Athens, Kusadasi-Ephesus, Thira (Santorini), and Naples, concluding in Civitavecchia-Rome.
Operational Context
Princess Cruises has taken steps to mitigate the impact on affected passengers. All bookings for the canceled maiden voyage received full refunds, including cruise fares and any pre-purchased onboard amenities and services. Additionally, passengers were offered a 50% bonus in future cruise credit (FCC), valid until November 30, 2024. Passengers with booked flights also received compensation for flight change or cancellation fees, amounting to USD 200 per person. Importantly, Princess Cruises also protected travel agent commissions to support their business partners.