Royal Caribbean Extends Serenade of the Seas Dry Dock

The March dry dock of Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas will need to be extended after the cruise line discovered the ship needs “additional servicing.” As such, the ship’s next planned itinerary, set to depart on March 9, 2025 has been canceled. The first sailing after dry dock will now begin on April 13.

News of the dry dock extension and subsequent cancellation was announced via an e-letter to affected guests.

“We’re truly sorry for the impact that this has on your vacation plans,” the line said in the letter.

In place of the canceled sailing, Royal Caribbean offered the following options:

• Rebook an Enchantment of the Seas sailing, departing from Tampa for a four-night sailing, on March 6 or March 20, 2025.
• Rebook an Enchantment of the Seas sailing, departing Tampa for a five-night sailing, on March 1, March 10, March 24, or March 29, 2025.
• Rebook a Grandeur of the Seas sailing, departing Fort Lauderdale for a five-night cruise, on March 2 or March 30, 2025.
• Rebook a Voyager of the Seas sailing, departing Port Canaveral for a five-night cruise, on March 22, 2025.

Guests that chose one of the above were compensated with onboard credit that ranged from $150 to $400 depending on stateroom category, plus an additional $50 per additional guest in the same cabin.

Additionally, anyone who chose a five-night sailing had their original stateroom category price either protected at the original fare rate or reduced to the current rat (whichever was lower). Those who chose one of the four-night sailings, had their cruise fare adjusted to the new cruise fare rate or prorated for the night lost (whichever one resulted in a lower fare). Any differences in price are being refunded.

Affected guests are also being reimbursed for any non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation fees, including for flights, train tickets, and rental cars.

Guests who chose not to rebook will receive a full refund and a 20% Future Cruise Credit based on the amount paid for the canceled cruise.