Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, canceled its scheduled departure for September 28, 2024, due to unplanned maintenance tasks.
The unexpected decision by the company Royal Caribbean affects thousands of passengers who had booked this seven-night trip through the Western Caribbean, which included stops at destinations such as Mahogany Bay, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean notified each passenger of the cancellation.
Royal Caribbean notified passengers via email, explaining that the ship would remain docked for several additional days while unforeseen maintenance work is carried out.
The company insisted that its team was working hard to resolve the issue, although they did not provide specific details about its nature.
"We know that this news may cause disappointment, and we deeply regret the impact on your vacation plans," stated the statement cited by the website En Crucero X El Mundo.
What are the supposed technical problems of Icon of the Seas?
The cruise had shown problems on the trip that departed on September 21. During that route, the ship skipped a stop in St. Thomas, raising concerns among the passengers.
Tracking data showed that the cruise ship was sailing at a reduced speed of 15 to 17 knots, below its maximum capacity of 22 knots.
Although this type of speed reduction may be normal on some routes, it has generated speculation about possible failures in the ship's propulsion systems.
Impact of trip cancellation on passengers
Royal Caribbean offered compensation to passengers affected by the cancellation of the trip on September 28. Travelers will receive a full refund, including the cruise fare, taxes, port fees, and all prepaid services.
In addition, the company has granted a credit equivalent to 100% of the cruise value, which can be used to book future trips. It is important to remember that this vessel has a capacity for 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members.
Passengers who booked flights through the cruise line will also be refunded, along with an additional compensation of up to 400 USD to cover flight change costs.
When is the resumption of operations for the cruise scheduled?
Icon of the Seas will remain docked in Miami until repairs are completed. The cruise is expected to resume its regular operations starting October 5, 2024, although uncertainty about possible future cancellations persists among passengers.
Royal Caribbean indicated that it will keep all guests informed about the status of the repairs and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and satisfaction of its customers. On its social media, they have not published anything about this mysterious technical problem of the world's largest cruise ship.
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