Royal Caribbean delays Serenade of the Seas due to propulsion issue

Royal Caribbean has delayed the departure of the Serenade of the Seas by two days due to a mechanical issue with the ship's propulsion system. The vessel is undergoing necessary maintenance in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is now scheduled to depart on September 1, 2026.

The maintenance has resulted in a significant change to the original seven-night Alaskan itinerary. The cruise will no longer visit Sitka, Juneau, or Skagway. Instead, the revised schedule includes stops in Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, with the voyage focusing on sailing the Inside Passage rather than scenic glacier cruising.

To compensate affected passengers, the cruise line is offering a refundable onboard credit equivalent to two days of the cruise fare, as well as a future cruise credit of equal value. Additionally, Royal Caribbean will provide hotel reimbursement of up to $300 USD per stateroom, per day for the initial delayed dates, and prorated adjustments for prepaid packages and gratuities.