Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas has returned to Vancouver just two hours after setting sail, with as-yet-undisclosed technical issues having a significant impact on her current sailing.

The ship was to have departed Vancouver on Sunday, July 6, 2025 for a 7-night Inside Passage sailing in Alaska. While Serenade of the Seas did in fact leave (albeit a bit later than originally scheduled) she turned back after just two hours and as of Monday afternoon, remains in Vancouver.

Guests onboard have noted that the ship appears to be having engine difficulties and travelers are not being permitted off to explore the Canadian city. No safety systems have been impacted.

The current problems follow difficulties on the previous cruise as well, when Serenade of the Seas was forced to skip a visit to Icy Strait Point as well as a day of scenic cruising so the issues could be worked on.

During that sailing, “speed restrictions from a technical issue onboard” were cited as the difficulty, though the exact nature of the technical issue was not disclosed.

Royal Caribbean did not notify guests now onboard the ship’s July 6 departure of any anticipated itinerary changes or other adjustments to their sailing, though that now seems inevitable.

Serenade of the Seas was to have been arriving in Sitka, Alaska for a visit from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. Given that the ship is still docked in Vancouver, it would be all but impossible to keep that original itinerary.

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Undoubtedly guests will receive updates onboard as the issue is further investigated. It is hoped the ship may be able to sail an adjusted itinerary and guests will be informed as soon as plans are confirmed.

Hopefully, the situation aboard Serenade of the Seas will not be as convoluted as what happened aboard Radiance of the Seas in 2024, with similar propulsion problems that impacted multiple cruises, including a cancelled sailing after guests had already embarked.

The two vessels are sister ships at 90,090 gross tons with a guest capacity of just over 2,450 travelers.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for updates as information affecting Serenade of the Seas is confirmed.

Royal Caribbean Ship Turns Around Back to Homeport With a Problem