Royal Caribbean Cancels Serenade Alaska Cruise Due to Technical Issue
Guests were allowed to use the ship as a hotel until late Wednesday, September 2, after the planned five-night route to Ketchikan and Prince Rupert was withdrawn.
Royal Caribbean canceled Serenade of the Seas’ Aug. 30, 2026 Alaska cruise on Tuesday after a technical problem kept the ship docked in Vancouver with passengers already aboard. Guests were allowed to use the vessel as a hotel but had to disembark by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, so the ship could vacate the cruise terminal.
The seven-night round-trip sailing had first been postponed until Sept. 1 and reduced to five nights while crews attempted repairs. Royal Caribbean ultimately withdrew the abbreviated itinerary, which would have called only at Ketchikan and Prince Rupert.
“Despite our teams’ around-the-clock efforts to complete the necessary repairs, we were unable to resolve the issue in time for the ship to safely depart,” Royal Caribbean told passengers in a letter.
Passengers had continued boarding while the company worked toward the delayed departure. Before the cancellation, passenger Lisa Harrison wrote that guests had expected to sail that day but had been told there was “no new departure time.”
Refunds cover fares, packages and flight changes
Guests who joined the ship will receive refunds for their cruise fares, taxes, fees, prepaid amenities and shore excursions. Royal Caribbean will also issue prorated refunds for beverage, dining and internet packages, along with prepaid gratuities.
The compensation package includes a refundable onboard credit equal to two days of the fare paid per guest. Any unused portion will be returned after disembarkation. Passengers will also receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 100% of the original fare, applicable to a Royal Caribbean sailing departing within one year.
Guests who booked with an existing Future Cruise Certificate will receive a replacement certificate and a refund for any additional amount paid. Refunds and new credits are expected to be processed within two weeks.
Royal Caribbean is reimbursing airline change fees of as much as $200 per guest for domestic flights and $400 for international travel. The line provided complimentary Wi-Fi to passengers arranging flights, hotels and other onward travel.
The revised compensation applies to travelers who boarded Serenade of the Seas. Passengers who canceled beforehand or did not arrive at the terminal remain covered by the terms of the company’s earlier offer.
Technical problem remains undisclosed
Royal Caribbean identified the problem only as a technical issue and did not specify which system was undergoing repairs. The 90,090-gross-ton Serenade of the Seas, which joined the fleet in 2003, normally accommodates about 2,146 passengers at double occupancy.
The ship also experienced operational problems during its 2025 Alaska season, when reduced-speed operations and propulsion repairs led to port-call changes or cancellations on multiple sailings. Royal Caribbean has not connected those earlier problems to the current repair work.
The canceled itinerary had been scheduled to visit Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, along with scenic cruising at Tracy Arm. The ship has three departures remaining in its Alaska season, on Sept. 6, 13 and 20.
As of Tuesday evening, Royal Caribbean had not changed the Sept. 6 departure or announced when the current repairs were expected to be completed.
