Cruise lines generally make itinerary changes as soon as they know they can't visit the planned port(s). That may be because of unexpected weather, damage to the ship, damage to the cruise port, or some other reason.
Weather-related changes tend to happen late. You may not find out about an itinerary change until you are already on the ship.
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That can anger some people who had planned their trip around a specific destination. That's never a good idea because there are many things beyond the cruise line's control that can force itinerary changes.
Sometimes, something happens at the port that limits its capacity. When that happens, the port will communicate with the cruise line and tell them the plan for reopening.
As soon as the cruise line knows a planned visit can't happen, it will communicate whatever changes it makes to its passengers. Problems happen, however, when the cruise port and the authorities involved don't know when repairs, and the associated inspections and approvals will be completed.
That forced the cruise line, Royal Caribbean (RCL) in this case, to change planned itineraries on a trip-by-trip basis. That's what's happening currently in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Pier 3, the dock that can accommodate large cruise ships, has been damaged.
It currently remains closed, and Royal Caribbean has no control over that.
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Why is Pier 3 closed in San Juan?
San Juan has been closed to large cruise ships since an incident in April. The US Coast Guard (USCG) closed Pier 3 to cruise ships after an incident involving MSC Meriviglia that damaged a mooring dolphin near the main pier.
A mooring dolphin has nothing to do with the cute aquatic mammal that people like to swim with.
"Mooring dolphins are used to assist in mooring and securing a ship to a pier or other secure structure via rope. They are also sometimes used to provide pedestrian access to the ship through a bridge structure," according to Creative Composite Group.
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Royal Caribbean has been forced to cancel two Symphony of the Seas planned stops in San Juan, which it explained to passengers in a letter.
"Due to technical issues with the pier and the work that must be done and cleared by the USCG for accepting a ship our size, we'll have to adjust our itinerary for our sailing," the cruise line shared.
Here's the latest from San Juan's dock
The problem is that the USCG has been vague about when the dock will reopen. The USCG took operational control of the pier until the work has been completed and all appropriate studies are performed.
"Once the satisfactory assessment studies are presented to the Coast Guard, Sector San Juan Prevention port facilities personnel will conduct an on-site inspection of Pier 3 West to corroborate the findings in the assessments and determine whether the operational control may be lifted. To date, the Coast Guard has not received the requested studies, and the operational control remains in effect," Seatrade Cruise News reported.
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San Juan Cruise Port has been working on making the needed repairs but issued a statement that was low on specifics.
"We deeply value and appreciate the unwavering support of these agencies, whose expertise is vital in safeguarding this essential sector of the economy. We also extend our gratitude to the cruise lines for their ongoing understanding and cooperation as we work towards the prompt and safe reopening of the pier," it shared.
That's not an encouraging choice of words, which suggests that the port's opening is not imminent.
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