Royal Caribbean makes unpopular change; Cruise lines reborn
Passengers get angry when a cruise line skips a port.
They often demand compensation even though they're not entitled to any under their cruise contract. Cruise lines may even offer compensation if they make an unpopular change.Passengers do always get a full refund of any port fee or taxes.
Ports often get skipped for weather reasons. Sometimes, for example, it is too rough to dock at Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. That can be disappointing for passengers, but the cruise line has to act in the best interest of safety.
In other cases, a cruise port get skipped because there is something wrong at the port. Maybe it's a small disruption and only one or two cruises will be missed or, perhaps, there's a bigger issue.
One popular cruise port has not been available for a few months. Royal Caribbean has had to cancel more sailing to that port.
Doug Parker of Cruise News Today has the full story along with news on two closed cruise lines making a comeback.
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This is cruise news today with Doug Parker.
Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Thursday, February 27.
Royal Caribbean continues to adjust itineraries on more ships due to ongoing repairs at San Juan's Pier 3, which has been out of service since last April.
Now, Icon of the Seas will skip San Juan on select May, June, and July sailings, replacing the stop with Port of Ponce, Puerto Rico, or St. Martin.
Meanwhile, Symphony of the Seas will reroute April itineraries to Porta Plata or Labadee. The pier, which was damaged by an MSC cruise ship last year, is the only one in San Juan that can accommodate Royal Caribbean's larger ships.And two major cruise brands that collapsed under the company Genting during the pandemic are making a comeback.
Resorts World Cruises announced it'll rebrand and resurrect Dream Cruises and Star Cruises over the next three months.
Dream Cruises will continue sailing the Genting Dream from Singapore, while Star Cruises will launch two ships in Asia, the Star Navigator and Star Voyager, that'll be starting next month, both of the Genting-owned lines without a business following the pandemic.
A lesson that bankruptcy isn't always the end. It's just a brief stop before setting sail again.
And Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas has entered dry dock in Cádiz, Spain, for a refurbishment under the Royal Amplified Program.
Upgrades will include new suites, dining venues, an expanded pool deck, and family-friendly areas. The ship will also feature the Ultimate Abyss slide and the Perfect Storm waterslides, similar to those on other Oasis-class ships.
After the refit, Allure will spend the summer sailing the Mediterranean before repositioning to Port Everglades in November.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@cruiseradio.net.
And this week's Cruise Radio podcast, a review of Norwegian Escape, where you listen to your favorite podcasts.
I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Thursday.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
, or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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