When a cruise line cancels a cruise, it can cause significant upset among passengers. That's why even if you have to make some unpleasant itinerary adjustments, that's almost always better than canceling a cruise entirely.
Princess Cruises has suffered issues with one of its most popular ships, and rather than canceling a cruise for repairs, it is making overnight stops on several cruises so it can slowly get the necessary work done.
Related: Royal Caribbean shares more bad port news for passengers
That's a different decision than Royal Caribbean made earlier this year when it canceled an Icon of the Seas voyage to fix a propulsion issue. Of course, not all engine problems are created equal, so Royal Caribbean likely didn't have the option to spread its repairs over multiple stops without canceling a voyage.
Doug Parker has the story and more in the Dec. 7 issue of Cruise News Today.
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Princess changes more cruise itineraries
Transcription:
This is today's cruise news with Doug Parker.
Good day; Here you have the news about the cruise for Friday, December 6.
Cruise ship maintenance problems continue after a series of cancellations in recent months.
Princess Cruises has adjusted future itineraries for four upcoming voyages on Regal Princess, allowing time for much-needed engine maintenance. The Galveston-based ship will replace the Costa Maya with extended stays in Roatán on its departures on December 8, January 5 and 12, and then on January 19, Roatán will replace Montego Bay. The adjustments come after previous power generator repairs that left the ship out of service for three weeks.
Passengers will receive a 20% credit toward future cruises or may opt out of a full refund. The line said it would keep the casino open while it was docked overnight.
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Royal Caribbean bans an item after Carnival
And Royal Caribbean has banned the use of portable travel routers like Starlink mini satellite dishes on its ships, adding them to the list of prohibited items, effective immediately.
This policy follows a similar ban imposed by Carnival Cruise Line earlier this year. The move is said to address cybersecurity concerns and prevent passengers from bypassing the ship's internet connection or losing money.
Security checks are now being applied and some devices are already being confiscated upon boarding.
Passengers looking to stay connected can purchase Royal Caribbean's high-speed Voom Internet, which is touted as the fastest Internet at sea.
Avoid a Popular Cruise Scam on facebook, Merry Christmas Icon of the Seas
And two Jacksonville, Florida, residents are warning others after falling victim to a Royal Caribbean cruise scam. Nyesha Lambert and Rachelle Price say they, along with seven other people, each paid more than $500 to a woman posing as a travel agent advertising a three-day cruise on facebook.
Payments were made via Cash App to the woman and they received reservation numbers and confirmation emails for Utopia of the Seas. However, when the group arrived to board their transport to Port Canaveral, they were denied entry and sent home. Royal Caribbean later confirmed that these reservations never came to fruition.
It is currently under investigation. The woman's message to others, check travel agencies and always avoid offers on social networks. Good lesson there.
And it was the inaugural lighting of the Christmas tree aboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. For reference, the ship was launched earlier this year and is spending its first holiday season in service. Led by the cruise director and thousands of attendees, the tree was lit and the Christmas festivities officially began.
READ ALSO: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
It seems fun.
Tips at cruiseradio.net. Have a great weekend. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.
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