Royal Caribbean International is canceling the September 15, 2024 sailing of its Vision-class Rhapsody of the Seas. A lifeboat, which doubles as a tender boat, has been damaged causing the ship to be over capacity for lifeboat seats meaning she can not carry passengers. She has been sailing 7-night itineraries from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean since May 2024.
In a letter to booked guests, Royal Caribbean said, “On our previous sailing, there was damage to one of our tender boats, which also serves as a lifeboat. This leaves the ship over capacity for the number of available lifeboat seats in the event of an emergency in our next sailing. Unfortunately, this means we’ll be unable to welcome you onboard our September 15, 2024, Rhapsody of the Seas sailing, and we must reschedule your cruise.”
Royal Caribbean International is refunding the full cruise fare back to the original payment for each guest. Additionally, guests will receive a future cruise credit for a new cruise. The Future Cruise Credit will be for the full amount of the original cruise and is to be redeemed within the year.
Royal Caribbean continued, “We will be providing you with a full refund and a credit for a new cruise. We know this news is disappointing and we’re terribly sorry for the impact to your vacation plans.”
Royal Caribbean is also reimbursing guests non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees due to the cancellation. This includes flight, train tickets, and rental cars. Guests will need to submit their travel receipts in order to receive up to $200 per guest for domestic charges, or up to $400 per guests for international charges.
Rhapsody of the Seas’ next sailing should be a 7-day round trip Caribbean Cruise on September 22, 2024. If her lifeboat is repaired, she will embark from San Juan, Puerto Rico and visit St. Croix Island, US Virgin Islands; St. Thomas Island, US Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados before returning to San Juan.