Passengers Forced To Disembark As Cruise Cancelled Post-Boarding

In an unprecedented event, passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” were informed that their eagerly anticipated Alaskan cruise will not set sail as planned. Originally set to depart from Vancouver on April 26, 2024, the cruise faced initial delays due to technical issues that affected the ship’s propulsion system.

Despite the adjustments that allowed passengers to board and remain on the ship while it underwent repairs in Vancouver, the cruise line had to make the difficult decision to cancel the entire sailing.

The scheduled departure was postponed to April 28, with a modified itinerary including stops at Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan and scenic cruising through the Inside Passage. However, the repairs required more time than anticipated, leading to the cancellation.

Royal Caribbean has extended a full package of compensations to its passengers. Guests have been offered a 100% refund of their cruise fare along with a 100% future cruise credit, which they can apply to any upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings.

To ease the inconvenience, the cruise line has provided free internet service to assist passengers with their onward travel arrangements and is covering airline change fees and hotel accommodations.

Additionally, in a gesture of goodwill, the ship’s bars were open free of charge until the passengers debarked. This incident follows a series of propulsion issues with the “Radiance of the Seas,” which had similar problems in August 2023 leading to the cancellation of multiple cruises.

As the ship remains in Vancouver for further repairs, passengers and those booked on the subsequent May 3 sailing are advised to stay informed about the status of future departures.

The “Radiance of the Seas,” a veteran vessel of the Royal Caribbean fleet, launched in 2001, is scheduled to continue her season in Alaska before heading to Tampa for Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries later in the year.

This cancellation highlights the challenges and uncertainties of maritime travel, and Royal Caribbean’s commitment to passenger safety and satisfaction in the face of unexpected technical difficulties.