SERENADE OF THE SEAS

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Latest news

Cruise ship had to return to Vancouver due to engine issues

The 'Serenade of the Seas' has returned to Vancouver just two hours after setting sail, with undisclosed technical issues having a significant impact on her current sailing. The ship was to have departed Vancouver on July 6, 2025 for a 7-night Inside Passage sailing in Alaska. The ship already left the port a bit later than originally scheduled, but then turned back after just two hours and as of the afternoon and has remained in Vancouver since. The ship appears to be having engine difficulties, but the passengers were not being permitted off to explore the city. No safety systems have been impacted. Already on the last cruise, the 'Serenade of the Seas' had to skip a call at Icy Strait Point as well as a day of scenic cruising so the issues could be worked on. Speed restrictions from a technical issue onboard were behind the difficulty, though the exact nature of the technical issue was not disclosed. The Royal Caribbean did not notify guests aboard the ship’s July 6 departure of any anticipated itinerary changes or other adjustments to their sailing. The 'Serenade of the Seas' had an ETA in Sitka as of July 8 at 11:30 a.m. It was hoped the ship may be able to sail an adjusted itinerary and guests will be informed as soon as plans are confirmed.

Cruise extended by two days due to hurricane

The passengers on thre 'Serenade of the Seas' had to spend an extra two days at sea, which effectively turned a 7-night cruise into a 5-night cruise: Hurricane Helene, now a Category 3 storm, had forced the Port of Tampa to close temporarily while the storm made it impossible for ships to dock safely. The storm, which was expected to become a Category 4 hurricane, was set to make landfall on the night of Sep 26. The current cruise that was supposed to arrive back in Tampa on Sep 27. The ship was due to arrive in Tampa on Sep 29. Cruise passengers who booked flights directly through the cruise line automatically got their flights changed to the new dates. In addition, Royal Caribbean was taking care of the extra costs of airfare changes for guests who booked their own flights. The compensation for the flight adjustments were in the form of $200 refunds per person for domestic flights and up to $400 per person for those flying internationally.

Small group of protesters chained to locks delayed cruise ship

A group from Extinction Rebellion blocked the entrance to theport of Amsterdam on Aug 19, 2024, preventing the 'Serenade of the Seas' from entering the IJmuiden lock.The small group chained themselves to the locks in the latest of ongoing demonstrations against the cruise industry in the region. The police was called in the afternoon to clear the protestors from the locks, which happened at 5 p.m. The activists were released without being arrested. Report with photo: https://www.ad.nl/amsterdam/politie-maakt-einde-aan-blokkade-sluizen-ijmuiden-door-xr~a261fcdb/