Royal Caribbean International has begun reaching out to guests booked on Panama Canal cruises aboard Rhapsody of the Seas to inform them that the sailings have been adjusted to an alternate itinerary.

While the ship will still begin from Colon, Panama, no canal transit is part of what are now Southern Caribbean cruises.

Panama Canal Transits Cancelled

Rhapsody of the Seas will no longer be making a series of shorter Panama Canal sailings during the winter 2023-2024 season, unique itineraries that attracted many guests to this bucket-list experience of transiting one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders.

Instead, Royal Caribbean has been notifying guests that the sailings have been “adjusted” to a new itinerary, with no Panama Canal transit at all.

The original 7-night itineraries were to have begun by setting sail from Colon, Panama and visiting Cartagena, Colombia before cruising the complete transit of the Panama Canal. Two ports in Costa Rica followed – Puntarenas and Quepos – before the ship reached Panama City, Panama, for debarkation. Reverse itineraries are also impacted by this change.

Now, the sailings will be roundtrip from Colon, Panama and offered as Southern Caribbean cruises instead. Depending on the sailing date, Rhapsody of the Seas may still visit Cartagena, and visits such as Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire are part of different itineraries. Exact details vary depending on departure date.

Options to Choose From

Guests on the impacted cruises have three options to choose from for their travel plans. They can opt to stay aboard the adjusted and now Southern Caribbean sailing, which will include price protection with a refund to the new price if the adjusted price is lower than the original fare.

Second, guests may rebook on any other Royal Caribbean sailing, on any ship, and at any date, and the non-refundable deposit change fees will be waived. Travelers will be responsible for any increase in price as well as taxes, fees, and other expenses.

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For both options, Royal Caribbean will also reimburse up to $200 USD per passenger ($400 for international guests) for non-refundable travel expenses or change fees, such flights, trains, rental cars, or hotels. Additional travel expenses will be considered for reimbursement with appropriate receipts and explanations, but are not guaranteed.

The third option is an outright cancellation, and guests will receive a full refund of the cruise fare, deposits, and any pre-paid purchases. The refund will be processed back to the original form of payment. If a future cruise credit was used, it will be reinstated at the original terms.

No further compensation is available to guests who choose complete cancellation. The cruise line does ask for patience as rebookings are managed, and notes that it may be necessary to temporarily place guests into “Guarantee” stateroom status (GTY) while details are finalized.

Guests are asked to notify the cruise line or their travel agent no later than August 29, 2023 about their decision, or they will be kept in a like-for-like stateroom on the new adjusted itinerary.

Why Cancel the Canal?

No explanation has been given for why Rhapsody of the Seas will no longer be offering any Panama Canal transits as planned. The email sent to booked guests does note that the change is “to enhance your experience,” but many guests are questioning the enhancement.

Transiting the Panama Canal is a once-in-a-lifetime cruise experience for many travelers, and these shorter cruises offering a full transit rather than a partial one were very popular and unique.

Speculation is that the costs and fees associated with transiting the canal have risen sharply, making the shorter voyages less financially viable for the cruise line.

It is also possible that conditions in the canal, including water levels due to ongoing drought conditions, are limiting some transit traffic, and cruise ships would not likely have priority over cargo vessels.

Lower water levels may also be limiting what times ship traffic can move through the canal, which may not align with the cruise line’s schedule.

Authorities have already restricted canal access to ships with a draft of 43 feet or less because of low water levels. The Vision-class Rhapsody of the Seas has a draft of just 25 feet, and therefore is not yet directly impacted by this restriction.

Fewer ships are being permitted through the canal daily, however, and it is possible that the cruise ship has been cut from the transit list by canal administrators.

Several longer, one-way Panama Canal cruises are still available for booking at this time. Radiance of the Seas has three transits planned, starting with a 16-night eastbound transit from San Diego to Tampa, departing on October 7, 2023.

In 2024, the ship is offering a 14-night westbound sailing from Tampa to Los Angeles on April 8, 2024, as well as a 16-night return eastbound voyage on October 5, 2024.

Brilliance of the Seas will also be making one eastward Panama Canal transit via a 14-night sailing from Los Angeles to New Orleans, departing September 28, 2024.

Royal Caribbean International has begun reaching out to guests who have booked a hot air balloon ride as part of their visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay to let them know that the attraction will be closed for maintenance.

Refunds for pre-booked rides are being processed, but it appears the colorful ride may be closed for several months.

Balloon Ride Now Closed on CocoCay

Guests booked on upcoming cruises that include visits to Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, are being notified that the “Up, Up, & Away” balloon ride attraction will be closed during their visit.

“Just like in your home, our attractions need some TLC, too!” the notification email reads. “Up, Up, & Away at Perfect Day at CocoCay will be temporarily closed for some routine maintenance.”

The closure notification is only being sent to guests who have pre-booked the balloon experience. Refunds are being automatically processed back to the form of payment on file, and if the experience was booked with an onboard credit, that credit is being reinstated to the guest’s account.

Details about the nature of the “routine maintenance” have not been announced. It is possible the balloon may be upgraded with new operating controls, different materials, or other enhancements to make it a more unique experience for returning guests, or to improve its operating performance.

How Long Is the Closure?

No exact dates for the closure of Up, Up, & Away have been released, but guests who have pre-booked the experience and have received the closure notice have reported a window of at least several months.

As of this writing, guests booked for the hot air balloon ride have reported cancellations of their booking from mid-August through at least late October.

It is possible that the closure only impacts select sailings that intersect with a planned work schedule, or the attraction may be closed completely during the next few months as the maintenance and possible upgrades are performed.

In the coming weeks, many ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet are scheduled for visits to CocoCay, including Mariner of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and more.

About Up, Up, & Away

Up, Up, & Away is a helium balloon experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay. While not strictly a “hot air” balloon, the 10-minute experience is very similar as guests rise up to 450 feet above the island for the most amazing 360-degree views in the Bahamas.

The balloon is tethered for optimal control and to regulate its motion and distance and the balloon’s basket is wheelchair accessible.

The ride is a gentle one, and cruise travelers of all ages can enjoy the experience. Pricing varies based on guest age, cruise ship capacity, visit date, and other factors.

Full adult prices apply for adventurers ages 13 and older, discounts for younger guests from ages 4-12, and cruisers age 3 or younger can ride for free with a paid adult. There are no height or weight restrictions for Up, Up, & Away.

Operated by professional balloon pilots who undergo rigorous training, the adventure does depend on weather conditions, local winds, and other atmospheric and meteorological factors to safely and efficiently operate.

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Visitors to CocoCay often report that the balloon is not able to operate, as upper level winds can dramatically impact the balloon even on what seems to be a perfect weather day on the island.

The balloon can accommodate roughly 30 guests per ride, and often sells out quickly. To save a spot, guests booked on a cruise visiting CocoCay are urged to made advance reservations online or through the cruise line’s app as soon as possible. If space is available, guests can book their ride while on the island.