Millie cancels cruise - propulsion problem - the problem returns after repairs

**Ally** · 11-17-2006, 03:21 PM

Celebrity Cruises is canceling a Fort Lauderdale sailing on its Millennium ship due to a problem with the propulsion system.

The Miami-based company said the ship must enter drydock to replace a port thrust bearing. It estimated the cost to parent company at 2 cents a share.

Though the Dec. 10 sailing is off, the ship is to return to its scheduled sailings on Dec. 17.

Guests booked on the cancelled seven-night Caribbean cruise are to receive a full refund and a free Celebrity cruise of equal value from North America of up to seven nights, departing on or before Dec. 31, 2007, excluding holiday and Celebrity Xpedition sailings.

Travel agents are to receive full commissions for the cancelled sailing, plus a $50 rebooking fee per stateroom once clients reschedule their cruise.

"I sincerely apologize to our guests for the disruption this cancelled cruise will cause them," Celebrity Cruises President Dan Hanrahan said. "We will do everything we can to assist them onboard other sailings."

Celebrity has established a special help desk to assist guests and travel agents with rebooking, air transportation, land tours and other issues at (888) 281-9343.

**middy** · 11-17-2006, 03:32 PM

I feel for the poor passengers as they should have been sailing around the same time as me, when I saw Celebrity my heart missed a beat as I'm already in cruising mode. At least they have three weeks notice so if like me and you have to take holidays as booked then they may be able to find places on other cruises in time. Just depends on how many empty cabins there are about.

**Ally** · 11-17-2006, 03:34 PM

I doubt they would have pulled the cruise unless it was completely unavoidable. At least the passengers are getting a full refund and a free cruise within the next 13 months. Its still very disappointing though for them all.

**Ally** · 01-03-2007, 02:08 AM

Celebrity Millennium, currently sailing an Eastern Caribbean cruise, has experienced an electrical short that provides power to the ship's port propulsion system. As a result, the ship has been forced to slow down -- reducing its cruising speed from 22 knots to 17.

This has resulted in the cancellation of one port -- the Dominican Republic's Casa de Campo -- but the ship will make it to San Juan, its next call, as scheduled. It is expected that Celebrity specialists and engineers will meet Celebrity Millennium there and make repairs.

Compensation was offered based on fare paid; a Celebrity spokesman would not reveal specifics.