Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Offer Refunds Over Cancelled Puerto Rico Stops

Unrest in Puerto Rico has led to two cruise ships belonging to Royal Caribbean skipping the port after violent protests rocked the island seeking the governor’s ouster.

The cruise ships Empress of the Seas that sailed from Miami on Saturday and skipped Puerto Rico on Tuesday and was rerouted to the British Virgin Islands.

On Wednesday, another ship Harmony of the Seas scheduled to dock in San Juan was also diverted.

The company has offered refunds to guests on prepaid activities booked in Puerto Rico.

Royal Caribbean said it would be going to St. Maarten instead because of safety concerns.

Royal Caribbean spokesman Owen Torres said in a statement: “In light of current unrest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we have canceled today’s call to San Juan.

The cruise line also addressed a letter to the 1,800 passengers on Empress of the Seas explaining the circumstances that led the ship to bypass Puerto Rico.

“There was a protest involving a large crowd that escalated and as you may have heard from our Captain, we decided to cancel our visit,” the letter noted.

Business loss from canceled visits

According to Tourism secretary Carla Campos Vidal, the loss of business from the canceled visit of Royal Caribbean ships would cost the island at least $532,000.

Meanwhile, another Royal Caribbean ship, Allure of the Seas, will visit San Juan on Thursday.

Carnival Corporation’s Carnival Fascination ship will also dock at San Juan on July 21. The company said visits to San Juan will remain as scheduled.

At the core of San Juan protesters is the demand for Governor Ricardo Rosselló to quit after a series of political scandals. The latest scandal was leaked private chats involving the governor and his close associates.

But Rosselló has rejected calls for resignation.

Royal Caribbean’s year-round cruise from New Orleans

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean International has announced year-round cruises from the Port of New Orleans (Nola port) when the Majesty of the Seas comes back to homeport in January 2020.

Royal Caribbean now offers weekly itineraries from January 2020 through April 2021.

According to Brandy D. Christian, president, and CEO of Port NOLA, the Port has a longstanding partnership with Royal Caribbean International and would welcome the Majesty of the Seas for the year-round service from New Orleans.

The seven-night cruises from Saturday to Saturday will provide guests the opportunity to visit beaches in The Bahamas and the Western Caribbean through Mexico and Belize.

Booking is open for cruises from New Orleans onboard Majesty for trips departing through April 2020.

For sailings from May 2020 through April 2021 bookings will start on July 22, 2019.