Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has remained alongside at PortMiami overnight after required maintenance delayed the start of its latest seven-night Caribbean cruise.
Passengers were still required to board the ship as scheduled on Saturday 26 September, but instead of departing Miami that afternoon, Icon of the Seas is now scheduled to sail at 4pm on Sunday 27 September.
Costa Maya call cancelled
The delayed departure has forced Royal Caribbean to remove the ship's planned call at Costa Maya, Mexico, on Monday 28 September.
Instead, the ship will spend the day at sea before continuing to Roatán, Honduras, on 29 September. The remainder of the seven-night itinerary is expected to continue as planned, including calls at Cozumel and Perfect Day at CocoCay before the ship returns to Miami.
Guests remain onboard in Miami
Royal Caribbean told booked guests that everyone was still required to embark on Saturday in accordance with US Customs and Border Protection requirements.
While the ship remains in port, available bars, lounges, entertainment and spa services are operating, although the onboard shops and casino remain closed.
Passengers were also permitted to go ashore again in Miami, with the gangway due to remain available until 2.30pm on Sunday ahead of the revised departure.
Royal Caribbean offers onboard credit
Royal Caribbean is providing affected passengers with refundable onboard credit as a gesture of goodwill.
- Inside and oceanview staterooms: $300
- Balcony staterooms: $350
- Suites: $800
- Third and fourth guests: an additional $50 each
Any unused refundable credit remaining at the end of the cruise is expected to be returned to the passenger's card on file. Royal Caribbean is also refunding cruise line-booked shore excursions for the cancelled Costa Maya visit.
Reason described as required maintenance
Royal Caribbean has described the reason for the delayed departure as required maintenance. No further technical details about the work have been publicly confirmed.
Icon of the Seas entered service in January 2024 and operates year-round Caribbean cruises from Miami.