Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean sent out an alert that Mariner of the Seas’ next embarkation would be slightly delayed due to an inspection from the US Coast Guard.
- However, some guests mistakenly thought that the text update was trying to get them to click on a dangerous link.
- It’s better to be cautious, as cruisers continue to be targeted by scams that employ fake emails, phone numbers, and advertisements.
While it’s always a good idea to be cautious about what you click online, sometimes notifications from the cruise lines really are legitimate.
A suspicious-looking text message from Royal Caribbean had some guests wondering if they were being scammed.
But in reality, the cruise line was letting soon-to-be guests of Mariner of the Seas know that embarkation would be delayed on Thursday, July 16, due to a US Coast Guard inspection.
“Is this a legit email from Royal? My first cruise and first email I’ve received and I was nervous to open the link. We sail this week,” one of the impacted guests posted on Facebook.
The passenger also shared a screenshot of the text, which reads “Royal Caribbean: The U.S. Coast Guard…” before the words trailed off and an Everbridge link was posted.
Several in the comments agreed that the link looked suspicious, so this guest was not alone in their concerns, but Royal Caribbean does actually use Everbridge as a third-party mass notification system.
That said, it’s better to be cautious and inquire than fall victim to a scam. Cruisers in the past have been tricked by fake emails and phone numbers, as well as fraudulent advertisements.
When in doubt, the best practice is to reach out to the cruise line directly using the contact information from the official brand website.
Mariner of the Seas’ Embarkation Delay
Mariner of the Seas will undergo an inspection from the US Coast Guard on the morning of July 16. This will take place at the 139,863-gross ton vessel’s homeport, Galveston, Texas.
The link led to a message that stated, “The U.S. Coast Guard will conduct its annual inspection onboard Mariner of the Seas, which will cause some boarding delays.”
“Our boarding process will now begin at 11 AM. We’ve sent you an email with further details,” the message concluded.
Per several of the up to 3,344 booked guests, the delay was only slight, with the start of embarkation pushed back from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“It’s not spam. I got the same one. It’s for our arrival time. The US Coast Guard is doing an inspection so boarding can’t start until 11 am instead of 10:30 am if you are scheduled for 10:30 am,” one of the impacted guests shared.
This short delay will have no impact on the 4-night Western Caribbean itinerary, which sails to Cozumel, Mexico, and then back to Galveston.
The Purpose of Coast Guard Inspections
The US Coast Guard conducts routine (but very mandatory) inspections of all cruise ships operating in US ports twice a year, not just Royal Caribbean’s ships.
For example, Cruise Hive reported that embarkation was briefly delayed for Carnival Venezia and Carnival Miracle in November of 2025 to allow for two of these inspections to take place.
The purpose of these biannual examinations isn’t to annoy or delay passengers, but rather to ensure their safety.
During the inspections, Coast Guard officials ensure that cruise ships are following international maritime laws and environmental regulations.
Safety systems and equipment are also checked to ensure they are properly maintained and operating correctly, with everything from structural fire protection and sprinkler systems to lifejackets and lifeboats carefully scrutinized.
The Coast Guard inspections are also in addition to the health inspections that are conducted by the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program, which occur without warning on ships in US ports twice a year.
