Royal Caribbean cancels Serenade of the Seas Alaska sailing
The cruise was first shortened from seven nights to five before ongoing maintenance prompted its cancellation.
Royal Caribbean canceled an Alaska sailing aboard Serenade of the Seas after maintenance work took longer than expected. CruiseMapper showed the ship was originally scheduled to leave Vancouver on Aug. 30 for a seven-night voyage.
About a week before departure, guests were informed that the itinerary would be reduced to five nights, with a revised departure date of Sept. 1 and changes to scheduled port calls. Passenger Arielle Anderson said travelers later received an announcement that the full cruise had been canceled and were instructed to leave the ship by midnight the following day.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson attributed the cancellation to ongoing maintenance and said the company worked with affected passengers to revise their travel arrangements. Guests were reportedly offered full refunds, future cruise credits equal to 100% of their fares and reimbursement for flight-change fees.
Anderson said her family rented a car, stayed at a vacation rental near Bellingham, Washington, and kept its original flight home from Vancouver. CruiseMapper indicated that Serenade of the Seas resumed service from Vancouver on Sept. 6 with a subsequent Alaska cruise.
