Cruise Chaos: Ship Stranded in Galveston for Days—Here’s What Happened?
The Regal Princess cruise ship, operated by Princess Cruises, is currently docked at the Port of Galveston following an engine room fire and subsequent power outages during a transatlantic voyage.
The incident has resulted in the cancellation of two scheduled Western Caribbean trips, impacting hundreds of passengers with long-standing travel plans.
The issues began in late September when the Regal Princess departed from Southampton, England, for a month-long journey to Galveston, Texas.
During this voyage, passengers reported a fire in the engine room, which led to multiple power failures. Despite efforts to address these technical difficulties, the vessel encountered additional issues shortly after leaving Grand Cayman on October 24. Eventually, the ship required assistance and was towed into the Port of Galveston early on October 27.
As a result of the ongoing repairs, Princess Cruises canceled the October 27 and November 3 sailings. Affected passengers were offered full refunds and a 25 percent credit toward a future cruise, valid for bookings made by May 2025.
Additionally, the cruise line has extended compensation of up to $200 to cover any air-change fees incurred due to these disruptions.
While the cruise line has assured passengers that the ship will be ready for its next scheduled departure on November 10, there remains some uncertainty among those booked for this upcoming voyage. Passengers have expressed concerns about the lack of clear communication from Princess Cruises.
One passenger, hoping to celebrate her wedding anniversary onboard, reached out to Princess Cruises President John Padgett, who responded by reaffirming the company’s intent to resume operations by November 10.
The situation has led some passengers to explore alternative travel arrangements, with some considering departures from other ports or organizing informal meetups in Galveston to cope with the unexpected delay.