Celebrity, which is already having a tough week with Summit’s brush-with-a-rock
in Alaska, is canceling Millennium’s July 22 Barcelona-to-Venice voyage. The
ship is experiencing problems with a thrust-bearing unit in its port propulsion
system. Dry dock is required to make this kind of repair.
Guests booked on the 11-night sailing will receive a full refund of their cruise
fare as well as a free future cruise on any Celebrity itinerary of up to 12
nights. The cruise must depart on or before December 15, 2004, and holiday sailings
are not included.
Celebrity has established a special Help Desk to assist guests and travel agents
with re-accommodations. The Help Desk number is 877-200-2897.
Celebrity has had numerous problems with propulsion systems on ships in its
Millennium-class. Millennium itself canceled two Caribbean cruises. Infinity,
too, had to cancel a pair of voyages in Alaska as a result of propulsion problems.
Summit canceled one sailing and abbreviated an 11-night sailing. To date, Constellation
has had no problems.
Since the mermaid pod propulsion system has obviously been a systemic issue
for the Millennium-class ships, Celebrity has worked in conjunction with the
pod manufacturer to develop better new bearing units. So far, Infinity is the
only ship to have received that modification.
