Royal Caribbean has announced a two-day delay for the November 24 Adventure of the Seas sailing following flooding at its dry dock in Spain. The cruise operator also revealed a drastic reduction in its port of calls.
The letter to guests reads, “Due to adverse weather impacting our ability to complete our current drydock operations, Adventure of the Seas will be arriving in Barcelona two (2) days later than we initially planned. As a result, we will now depart Barcelona on Tuesday, November 26th instead of Sunday, November 24th.”
The 11-night repositioning voyage from Spain to the United States now only features one port of call instead of the original four.
“Additionally, our new itinerary will bypass Valencia, Malaga, and Seville, Spain,” the email informed passengers. “Instead, we’ll enjoy two sea days before our scheduled visit to Madeira (Funchal), Portugal on Friday, November 29th, with updated arrival and departure times.”
Royal Caribbean Compensates Guests
The email assured passengers they would be reimbursed for any shore excursions booked at its former destinations. The value of two days’ cruise fare, corresponding prepaid gratuities, and daily packages will also be refunded as onboard credits.
Meanwhile, passengers with affected flights can claim compensation for fees paid due to flight changes—$200 for domestic and $400 for international travel. Alternatively, they can opt for up to two nights of accommodation at $250 per night, per stateroom.
Read More: How to Use a Future Cruise Credit
The cruise line has also agreed to award guests Crown and Anchor Society loyalty points based on the full 13-night sailing instead of the shortened schedule.
Several passengers found the compensation inadequate and shared their dissatisfaction online. A few were able to cancel their cruise by phoning their agents. One message board user stated that the option to cancel should have been highlighted in the letter.
“Whilst not specified in the letter, which in itself seems devious, it is apparent that refunds are being issued to those that phone to cancel. Imagine how many people may choose this option, if they actually knew about it,” remarked one netizen.
Flooding in Spain
Another Royal Caribbean vessel, Voyager of the Seas, was similarly affected with a one-day delay because of the same weather conditions. Its scheduled stop at Valencia was eventually replaced with Palma de Mallorca. Deadly floodwaters ravaged the city on October 29, forcing several cruise lines to alter the itineraries of their ships.
A year’s worth of rainwater reportedly entered the city in eight hours. While Valencia bore the brunt of the storm, nearby regions—including Barcelona, Girona, and Cádiz, home of the cruise line’s affected dry dock—also experienced significant flooding.
