Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled additional departures by Carnival Splendor to allow extra times for repairs following an engine room fire which left it stranded last month.
Cruises due to depart on January 16, 23, 30 and February 6 and 13 have been dropped.
The 3,000-passenger ship, which operates year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages from Long Beach in California, is now scheduled to re-enter service on February 20 – more than a month later than originally planned.
“As repairs have progressed and damaged components tested, additional issues have been discovered,” the line said. “Also, some of the needed parts are not readily available and are being manufactured in Europe.”
The ship is in San Diego and will sail to San Francisco in mid-January where repairs will be completed at a dry dock facility.
Travel agent commissions on cancelled sailings are being protected.
Passengers booked on the cancelled sailings will receive a refund or future cruise credit equal to the amount paid, along with reimbursement of air transportation-related change fees, the company said.
Those who re-book may also receive a 25% future cruise discount and/or onboard credit depending on the ship and sailing date of the new booking.
Carnival president and chief executive Gerry Cahill said: “We sincerely apologize to our guests for having to cancel these additional cruises.
“We made our best effort back in November to estimate the necessary repair time with a strong goal of not having to modify it at a later point in time.
“Unfortunately, as the repairs have progressed and we have discovered additional issues, it is now clear that we need more time.
“We know this is extremely disappointing for our guests and particularly disheartening for those who already had their vacations cancelled once and are now being affected again.”