Royal Caribbean Cancels Alaska Cruise After Days of Repairs

Guests already onboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will no longer be setting sail on an abbreviated Alaskan cruise as they had hoped. Instead, the ship requires ongoing repairs and what was to have been the August 30, 2026 departure is now fully cancelled.

Cruise Hive previously reported on the ship’s delay and adjustment to a 5-night itinerary visiting Ketchikan and Prince Rupert instead of the originally planned 7-night sailing. Guests were informed of that change on August 22.

“Due to necessary maintenance requiring additional time in Vancouver, British Columbia, we will now depart on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 PM,” a letter explaining the initial delay stated.

Now, however, the entire sailing is cancelled and guests will need to debark the ship on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

“As you may know, Serenade of the Seas has been experiencing a technical issue. 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. As a result, we must cancel this sailing,” the latest letter given to guests reads.

Guests onboard the ship are understandably frustrated by the abrupt cancellation, while those with upcoming sailings are concerned if the cancellation may extend to additional cruises.

“Frustrating to be on this cruise! Disappointed as they likely knew this would be the outcome, more time to figure out options would have been nice!” one guest commented on Facebook.

Royal Caribbean is providing full refunds for the now cancelled sailing, as well as a 100% future cruise credit equal to the original fare price. The cruise line has offered similar compensation in the past when cruises must be abruptly cancelled or are overbooked and guests lose their vacation at the last minute.

That credit may be used on any future Royal Caribbean sailing, on any ship and in any region, that departs within one year.

The cruise line is also offering reimbursement for flight change fees, up to $200 (USD) per guest for domestic flights and $400 for international flights. To help guests make flight changes or other arrangements as they prepare to leave the ship, complimentary WiFi access is available.

The 2,143-guest ship is homeported from Vancouver for the Alaska season, offering 7-night roundtrip sailings with visits to Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, and Prince Rupert, as well as scenic glacier cruising. Exact ports vary depending on the ship’s departure date.

Only the September 6, 13, and 20 departures remain of the ship’s Alaska season. It is unknown if those cruises may move forward as planned, which will depend on whether repairs can be completed in time for the next departure.

At this time there is no change to the ship’s September 6 departure, but booked guests should stay in close contact with Royal Caribbean for official updates as repairs progress.

What Is the Problem With Serenade of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean has not disclosed the exact issue now impacting Serenade of the Seas, only that it is a “technical” matter. Because the ship has been unable to leave Vancouver, it is likely the propulsion system that needs repairs.

This is not the first time Serenade of the Seas has been affected by technical problems while sailing in Alaska. During her 2025 season in the Last Frontier, multiple sailings adjusted or cancelled port visits in June and July due to the need for reduced speed and propulsion repairs.

Similar problems also impacted Radiance of the Seas during the end of her Alaska season in late August and early September 2023. Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas are both sister ships in the cruise line’s elderly Radiance class, having joined the fleet in 2001 and 2003, respectively.