Princess Cruises has cancelled calls to Juneau and Ketchikan from Royal Princess’ current seven-night Alaska cruise after an engine problem reduced the ship’s operating speed.
The 3,560-guest ship departed Seattle on Saturday, 12th September 2026, but passengers were informed the following day that the technical issue meant the original itinerary could no longer be maintained.
Juneau, which Royal Princess had been due to visit on Monday, 14th September, was removed from the schedule and replaced with a day at sea. The ship continued towards Skagway, where it was scheduled to arrive at 6am on Tuesday, 15th September.
Ketchikan has also been dropped from the itinerary. Royal Princess had been scheduled to call there on Thursday, 17th September, but will instead proceed towards Victoria, Canada.
The changes leave Skagway and Victoria as the two remaining port calls on the voyage. The ship is scheduled to remain in Skagway until 8.15pm on Tuesday before visiting Victoria from 9pm until midnight on Friday, 18th September.
Princess Cruises told passengers that the engine issue was limiting the vessel’s speed but did not affect the safety of guests or crew.
“We are currently experiencing a technical issue with our engines that does not affect the safety of our guests or crew but does restrict our ability to proceed at the required speed to maintain our itinerary as planned,” the cruise line said in its letter to passengers.
“Due to these circumstances, we will no longer call to Juneau, Alaska tomorrow, September 14. Instead we will spend the day at sea and head directly toward Skagway, Alaska, for our call at 6:00 AM on Tuesday, September 15 as planned. Additionally, as a result of our reduced operational speed, we will no longer be able to call to Ketchikan, Alaska, on Thursday, September 17, and will proceed directly to Victoria, Canada.”
Compensation Offered Following Itinerary Changes
Passengers will receive a 50% refund of their cruise fare following the loss of the two Alaska ports.
Princess Cruises said the refund would be returned to the original form of payment and could take between 10 and 15 business days to process.
Shore excursions purchased through Princess Cruises for Juneau and Ketchikan are also being automatically cancelled. The cost of those tours will be credited to passengers’ onboard accounts, with guests not required to visit the ship’s Shore Excursions or Guest Services desks to arrange the cancellations.
The cruise line has provided limited information about the precise nature of the engine problem or how long repairs could take.
“Our technical teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” Princess Cruises said.
There was no confirmation in the information provided to passengers that the problem would be resolved before Royal Princess completes the cruise on Saturday, 19th September.
Royal Princess is nevertheless expected to return to S
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