MIAMI -- Continuing problems with the propulsion systems onboard
its Millennium-class ships prompted Celebrity Cruises to send the
Infinity to drydock for replacement of the thrust-bearing unit in
its Mermaid propulsion pod.
As a result, the line will orchestrate a ship swap later this
month: The March 28 sailing of the Millennium will be canceled in
order to temporarily shift that vessel to the Infinity's scheduled
Panama Canal itinerary.
Passengers booked on the Infinity's March 28 and April 11
voyages will be accommodated on the Millennium, a ship of identical
size.
When the Infinity leaves the drydock, it will adopt Millennium
itineraries for three Caribbean sailings on April 4, 11 and 18. The
vessels will return to their published sailings April 25.
This is the fourth time the Infinity will head for an
unscheduled drydock because of pro-pulsion problems. The last time
was in February 2003, when Celebrity canceled two Hawaii sailings
on the vessel. Last year, a July cruise on the Millennium was
canceled because a thrust-bearing unit showed "premature wear."
Parent company Royal Carib-bean Cruises (RCCL) has sued the
manufacturers of the Mermaid propulsion pods, Rolls-Royce and
Alstom Power Conversion, and said all four Millennium-class ships
have had at least one mechanical or electrical problem with the
pods.
The $300 million suit seeks to recover lost revenue and costs
associated with "failing pods."
Passengers on the canceled sailing will receive a full refund
and a voucher for a free Celebrity cruise to the Carib-bean of
seven days or shorter that must be used by Nov. 30, 2005. Travel
agent commission is protected, and retailers will receive a
$50-per-cabin rebooking bonus.
Celebrity established a phone desk, at (888) 837-5676, to assist
guests and agents. The line said the canceled cruise is expected to
have a negative impact on RCCL earnings by 2 cents to 3 cents per
share.
To contact reporter Rebecca Tobin, send e-mail to [email protected].