Broken Water Pipe Delays Royal Caribbean Ship

Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas sustained damage to electrical equipment after a water pipe broke on Jan. 24 near New Orleans. The company cancelled an undetermined number of reservations because of the resulting loss of power to some staterooms.

The company said the ship’s critical systems, including navigation, are operational, but areas without power include the main theater, medical facility, gym, and televisions in guest staterooms.

The U.S. Coast Guard boarded the ship to conduct an inspection, but didn’t immediately clear the ship to sail. The ship remained alongside New Orleans until it departed at about 12:15 p.m. Jan. 25. It is still scheduled to visit all ports of call but in a reverse order.

The company did not say in its statement how many reservations were cancelled. “Unfortunately, a number of guest staterooms are affected by the power outage. It is with much regret that it was necessary to cancel some guests’ reservations,” the company said. “We understand the anticipation and excitement leading up to their cruise, and we apologize for impacting their vacation.”

Royal Caribbean is providing those guests with a refund and a future cruise certificate equal to the cruise fare paid.

The Serenade of the Seas is operating weekly Western Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from New Orleans through April.

Source: Travel Pulse