Passengers booked
on a mid-February Mediterranean
sailing with Celebrity
Cruises got some unwelcome news just hours before they were supposed to set
sail.
According to the Miami
Herald, the cruise line canceled an 11-night voyage aboard the Celebrity
Infinity less than a day before its scheduled February 16 departure, citing technical
issues with the ship.
The sailing was
meant to depart from Athens, visiting various destinations in Greece,
Turkey
and Cyprus. According to Cruise
Industry News, scheduled stops would have included Nafplio, Rhodes,
Katakolon, Heraklion, Limassol, Kusadasi and Antalya.
However, in a
message sent directly to guests on the afternoon of February 15, Celebrity
explained that problems arose during the ship’s prior voyage and that further
time was needed to inspect and fix the issues.
“During our
previous voyage, the ship experienced a technical issue, and while our experts
have been working diligently, we need additional time to complete necessary
assessments and repairs,” the cruise line said.
“After carefully
considering all options, we've made the difficult decision to cancel the
February 16, 2026, sailing,” the notice continued. “We sincerely apologize for
this unexpected change and the disruption this causes to your travel plans.”
Celebrity said all
affected passengers would receive a full refund for any portion of the cruise
fare they already paid. It also included an additional incentive aimed at
encouraging guests to book on an upcoming voyage.
“As a gesture of
goodwill, you'll also receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 100 percent of your
cruise fare, valid for any Celebrity Cruises sailing within the next year,” the
company added.
Guests who booked
airfare through the cruise line’s Flights by Celebrity program were contacted
directly to coordinate their return home. For those who arranged their flights independently,
Celebrity was offering reimbursements of up to $200 per guest for domestic
flights and up to $400 per guest for international flights.
“We will also
reimburse up to two nights of hotel accommodations, at up to $300 per night, to
support you as you make new flight arrangements,” Celebrity explained.
Furthermore, the premium
cruise line was offering a $100 credit per guest to help offset incidental
expenses travelers may have incurred during the disruption for up to two days.
The line apologized, “While
we can't give you back the time invested in your vacation, we are committed to
ensuring you feel fully supported as you adjust your plans.”
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