Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, is currently facing a technical issue that is limiting its speed, likely due to a problem with its azipods—the same propulsion system that caused headaches for Carnival Vista earlier this month. For those unfamiliar, azipods are the ship’s electric propulsion units that allow for better maneuverability and speed. When these systems malfunction, it can result in slower speeds, forcing cruise lines to adjust itineraries or even cancel sailings.
Royal Caribbean made a statement on September 23, 2024, announcing that Icon of the Seas “is currently undergoing maintenance and will sail at a reduced speed” leading to the adjustment of its current itinerary. The ship, which set sail on September 21, had planned a stop in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, but this has been canceled. Instead, passengers will be treated to an unexpected sea day, giving them more time to explore the ship’s numerous amenities. To make up for the change, Royal Caribbean is providing passengers with onboard credit equivalent to one day of the cruise fare.
An Inconvenience for Guests on the Next Sailing
While the passengers onboard are dealing with a modified itinerary, the news isn’t as favorable for those booked on the next sailing. Royal Caribbean has canceled the September 28, 2024, departure of Icon of the Seas due to the same issue. The ship was scheduled on a Western Caribbean run with stops at Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatán, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The company is offering affected guests a full refund, covering not just the cruise fare but also taxes, fees, prepaid amenities, shore excursions, gratuities, and any drink or dining packages they may have purchased.
In addition to the full refund, Royal Caribbean is also giving guests a future cruise credit equal to 100% of their cruise fare, which can be applied to any future sailing. This is a generous gesture from the company and certainly softens the blow for those who had been looking forward to their vacation aboard Icon.
If you booked your flights through Royal Caribbean, no need to worry—they will automatically refund those, too. For those who made independent travel plans, the cruise line is offering reimbursement of change fees: up to $200 for domestic travel and up to $400 for international travel. This shows that the company is trying to make things right, even in the face of this unexpected disruption.
What Could Be the Cause?
Although Royal Caribbean has not officially confirmed what exactly is causing Icon of the Seas’ technical problems, it’s hard not to speculate that azipod issues are to blame. Similar problems have plagued ships across the cruise industry, most recently Carnival Vista, which faced ongoing propulsion issues that caused speed limitations, altered itineraries, and even a canceled sailing earlier in the month. After undergoing repairs at Port Canaveral, Vista has since returned to service without any further problems.
In the case of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has simply referred to the situation as “unplanned maintenance.” In their official statement, they said, “We are currently conducting unplanned maintenance onboard Icon of the Seas. While our crew is working hard to address this as quickly as possible, there is still some work that needs to be done over a few days while the ship is docked.”
While the exact nature of the issue remains unconfirmed, the reference to ongoing maintenance suggests that the ship will likely be ready to return to service shortly after repairs are completed.
Carnival’s Vista-Class Troubles: Unraveling and Understanding Azipods
The Legacy of Icon of the Seas
For those unfamiliar, Icon of the Seas is more than just a cruise ship—it’s a floating metropolis. Launched in December 2023 as the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class, the ship set a new standard in the cruising world, both in terms of size and offerings. With the capacity to accommodate nearly 10,000 passengers and crew members, Icon is a record-breaker. The ship boasts mind-blowing features like the largest waterpark at sea, a 55-foot-high rock climbing wall, and the brand’s first-ever suspended infinity pool. It also includes eight distinct neighborhoods, from the family-friendly Surfside to the futuristic Thrill Island, each designed to offer guests a unique experience at every turn.
Icon is also hailed as a leader in sustainability, featuring cutting-edge environmental technologies aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. It utilizes fuel cells, LNG (liquefied natural gas), and shore power capabilities to make its operations more eco-friendly. Royal Caribbean envisioned Icon of the Seas as a game-changer, not just for the cruise line, but for the industry as a whole.
Given its incredible amenities and record-breaking size, it’s no wonder that Icon of the Seas has captured the imaginations of travelers around the world. However, this recent technical issue, while unfortunate, highlights the challenges of operating a ship of this magnitude. The more complex the vessel, the more opportunities there are for things to go wrong, and when they do, it impacts a lot of people.
Passengers’ Reactions
Understandably, guests affected by the canceled September 28 sailing are disappointed. Many had been planning their vacations for months, if not longer, and this last-minute cancellation throws a wrench into their plans. While Royal Caribbean’s refund and future cruise credit offer are certainly appreciated, for some, it’s hard to replace the excitement of that long-awaited cruise.
Some passengers have taken to social media, expressing their frustrations. One Twitter user remarked, “I was so looking forward to finally experiencing Icon of the Seas—I’ve been counting down the days for almost a year!” Others are more understanding, with one Facebook commenter noting, “These things happen. At least Royal Caribbean is giving us a full refund AND cruise credit, so we’ll still get to sail on Icon eventually.”
It’s clear that while the news is disappointing, Royal Caribbean is making every effort to make things right with their guests.