Thanks for visiting Cruise Talk Central! If you enjoy your visit here or find some useful information, you may wish to subscribe to our RSS feed or email notifications in order to stay informed of updates to our site. You can also read our About Page to learn more about Cruise Talk Central.
Celebrity Millennium Sailing Impacted by Damaged Propeller
MIAMI, July 6 — Celebrity Cruises is fully refunding the cruise fare paid by all guests on its June 30 sailing of Celebrity Millennium due to itinerary disruptions caused by propeller damage. Celebrity Millennium departed Barcelona, Spain, June 30 on a 12-night Mediterranean sailing to conclude in Venice, Italy, July 12. On July 2, while anchored off Villefranche, France, the ship’s propellers struck a submerged rock, following an electrical malfunction. Three of the four blades on the starboard propeller and one on the port propeller needed replacement. The ship’s itinerary has been significantly altered to allow repairs to be made.
“We sincerely apologize to our guests for the disappointment they have experienced on this cruise,” said Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises. “We share in their disappointment, and believe that offering a full refund is the right thing to do.”
Loading ...
we are booked to travel on the millenium cruise ship on july 12, 2007. so far we haven’t heard from celebrity cruises about the status of our reservation. we would appreciate an update. thanks
For now, at least, it sounds like you should be fine…
When the ship arrived in Rome, divers from the US, Norway and the Netherlands worked to replace the ship’s huge propellers. Repairs are taking longer than anticipated and the ship was still in Rome on July 8. The longer time required Celebrity to cancel stops in Loverno, Naples, Santorini and Athens. She was going to stop in Dubrovnik and Corfu on the way back to Venice, but the longer repairs may put those stops in jeopardy.
Celebrity expects Millenium to be back in Venice on the 12th (assume that’s your cruise) to resume it’s normal Mediterranean itinerary.
If I hear anything else, I will post it back here…
Okay, another update and it’s not as good news…
The effort to repair the propeller has not been successful. Celebrity has canceled the rest of the current cruise while the ship is still in Rome (actually Civitavecchia). Current passengers are either being flown or bused to Venice in order to catch their transportation.
No word from Celebrity yet on the status of the next cruise which is to begin on the 12th from Venice. Also no word as to if the Millenium will have to enter dry dock in order for repairs to be made. If dry dock is required, the two most likely places would be Naples or Venice.
Again, I will post more if I hear anything…
It now appears that the next Millenium cruise on the 12th of July has also been canceled. Celebrity hasn’t officially confirmed this yet, but it appears to be the case.
It also appears that passengers scheduled to sail on the July 12th Millenium cruise will receive a full refund as well as a credit for the same amount on a future cruise.
Celebrity has officially confirmed the cancellation of the July 12th sailing now.
You can read the press release for more details.
How long can we expect before we receive the full refund?
thank you!
I am afraid I cannot help you there… You should check with your travel agent or Celebrity as they should have the information.
Actually, after checking, Celebrity has released an updated press release on this issue… It includes a toll free number you can call for information.
a neighbor john colligan from palm desert, ca just returned exhausted from italy after the cancellation of the cruise..he said no hotel or airline bookings were made, and there was sheer frustration.to fly half way around the world..with limited funds (the cruise WAS paid for!)..well..you can imagine
My 92 year old grandmother just died last week, so I know how precious our time is with elderly family members. I really hope that all of you get a full cruise credit and a full future cruise. This experience sounds truly awful.
Do we know the status of the Millenium for the July 24th cruise?
The latest buzz and word from Celebrity is that she will still return back into service on the 24th. If we hear anything different, we will post it back here.
We are leaving for Barcelona on July 21, before the July 24th sailing of the Millennium. I am amazed that Celebrity has not update their site since July 11th 11 a.m. If you have any information I would certainly appreciate it since we are flying on Sat.
Thank you for your time.
Barbara
We are leaving for Barcelona on July 21 as well. I think many might be doing the same thing. I’d hate to get to Barcelona only to find out that the trip was cancelled. Any update prior to our leaving home would be appreciated.
Everything I’ve been seeing from the online chatter and information posted by Celebrity cruises show that the July 24th cruise is still going as scheduled.
This incident is an important reminder that while cruising offers excellent value and service as a vacation option, the ship itself is a mechanical device, an not a stationary land based resort. The same mobility that make cruising such a great vacation, also makes it vulnerable to these kinds of incidents which have devastating effects on long planned family reunions. My condolences go out to all of you who had your vacations canceled! Have a great trip to those of you who are sailing the Millenium after July 24th.