"Millennium" cruise is canceled!

Shari2 · November 19, 2006

Joey, Jackie, Kareen and all who just got back from the "Millie." It looks like you just made it!

November 17, 2006

Celebrity Cancels Millennium's December 10 Cruise

(6:50 p.m.) -- Celebrity Cruises has announced that the December 10 sailing of its 91,000-ton, 1,950-passenger Millennium has been canceled. The ship needs to dry-dock to replace a port thrust bearing in its propulsion system.

Guests booked on the canceled cruise will receive a full refund as well as a free Celebrity cruise of equal value departing from North America; the sailing can be up to seven nights, and must depart on or before December 31, 2007 (holiday season and Celebrity Xpedition sailings are excluded). The December 10 voyage was to be a seven-night Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale.

Bearing-related pod propulsion issues have long plagued Celebrity's Millennium-class ships; in August, two pods were replaced on sister ship Infinity. The line has actually filed a $300 million lawsuit against Rolls Royce and Alstom Power Conversion over the problematic pod propulsion system.

The issue with this particular pod "has arisen recently," according to a spokesman for the line. The ship is operating safely. However, the November 24 sailing from Europe to the U.S. will drop one port of call (Naples), providing an additional day to complete the ocean crossing; passengers will receive onboard credit as compensation, which will vary based on fare paid.

The cruise line has set up a special help desk to assist affected passengers (and travel agents); the toll-free number is 888-281-9343.

JoeyandDavid · November 19, 2006

wow that would have been really disapoinnting to us ... The cruise that was canceled was a 7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise with stops in: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Casa De Campo, Dominican Rep, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and then back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Any time they cancel a cruise it is disapointing.. but i think a 2 for one offer was a fair one.. Hopefully they can put this thrust bearing propulsion system to rest.

Joey

cherole · November 20, 2006

Scary news since my next trip is on a sister ship, I assume identical functioning!

Shari2 · November 20, 2006

Sorry Cheryl...didn't mean to scare you! I love the "Millennium class ships and would still book on them, but I would be watching when they had their last dry dock for the pods. Celebrity does give a free cruise if your cruise is canceled.

Joey...that would be great if they could find a solution to this problem, but it doesn't seem like it's anytime in the near future. So glad your cruise went well.