Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has been pressured to bypass San Juan, Puerto Rico, but once more because of ongoing points at Pier 3, the one berth able to accommodating the large Oasis-class ships.
The pier, which has been closed since a docking incident in April 2024 involving the lack of a mooring dolphin, stays out of fee, and there’s no timeline for reopening. This has disrupted a number of Royal Caribbean itineraries because it’s the one dock that may host a ship of its measurement.
Royal Caribbean Ship Skips San Juan
The ship’s December 22 and December 29 sailings have been the most recent to have their itineraries altered to take away San Juan. In a discover to friends, Royal Caribbean cited ongoing building and an San Juan Port Authority advisory as causes for the adjustments.
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Consequently, Symphony of the Seas will now go to ports akin to Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Nassau, Bahamas, as a substitute of San Juan and different beforehand scheduled stops.
That is the third time the port name has been canceled for Symphony of the Seas with little discover.
One visitor on the December 29 crusing shared with Cruise Radio that they’d deliberate to suggest in San Juan however have been knowledgeable of the change on the final minute, derailing their engagement plans with an expert photographer.
USCG Cites Security Considerations for Pier Closure
The U.S. Coast Guard has reiterated that Pier 3 will stay closed till passable evaluation research are submitted and an on-site inspection confirms the construction’s security.
In a November 27 assertion, Capt. Luis J. Rodriguez, Commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, confused the significance of making certain the protection of the port, cruise ships, and the 1000’s of holiday makers who depend on the ability.
“San Juan’s Pier 3 West receives the most important cruise ships on the planet,” Rodriguez mentioned. “We perceive the inconvenience of this matter, however it’s essential we guarantee the protection of the port.”
The pier has been closed since April, and the Coast Guard remains to be awaiting required security assessments from the San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.
Frustration Builds with Cruisers and Locals
The extended closure has sparked criticism from cruisers and Puerto Rican residents alike. Many friends have expressed dissatisfaction with Royal Caribbean’s dealing with of the state of affairs, with some citing last-minute notifications and lack of compensation for missed ports.
