Royal Caribbean Cancels Alaska Cruise, Offers Refunds and Credits as Ship Resumes Sailing

Royal Caribbean abruptly canceled the seven‑night Alaska cruise on its Serenade of the Seas after maintenance work was unfinished. The ship, scheduled to leave Vancouver on Aug. 30, was delayed to Sept. 1, then called off two days later. Passengers were given full refunds, retained their onboard credit, received a future cruise credit equal to 100 % of the fare, and were reimbursed for eligible flight‑change fees. While docked, guests could use limited ship amenities, but many reported that bars, shops and casinos remained closed. The vessel finally departed on Sept. 6 for a new seven‑day Alaska itinerary. The incident adds to a series of technical disruptions the ship has faced, raising questions about Royal Caribbean’s maintenance protocols.