Unexpected Delay for Celebrity Millennium in Yokohama
Cruise enthusiasts aboard the Celebrity Millennium experienced an unforeseen delay in Yokohama, Japan, on Wednesday, 6th August 2025. A sunken vessel in the harbour necessitated underwater inspections to guarantee safe passage. This delay affected both disembarking guests and those set to embark later that day.
Impact on Passengers
The Celebrity Millennium, a 91,000-gross-ton cruise ship, was wrapping up a 12-night “Best of Japan” voyage. With a capacity of 2,138 passengers per trip, over 4,200 travellers were potentially impacted by this disruption. The extent depended on how full each sailing was.
Three-Hour Delay Due to Submerged Obstruction
Satellite data and passenger reports indicated the ship slowed significantly as it neared Yokohama. Port authorities required underwater checks to ensure debris from the sunken vessel wouldn’t hinder the ship’s arrival. Although Celebrity Cruises hasn’t officially confirmed the cause, it’s believed to be linked to a fire incident on 4th August. Two fireworks barges caught fire in the harbour, possibly leaving debris that needed inspection.
Communication and Adjustments Onboard
During the delay, crew members kept passengers informed and organised extra activities to ease the wait. Reports suggest the delay lasted about 3 to 4 hours. The Celebrity Millennium eventually arrived safely, without any technical issues. For those waiting to embark, the cruise line sent email updates advising them to delay their arrival at the terminal. This helped avoid overcrowding and ensured a smooth boarding process.
Adjusted Arrival Windows
To accommodate the revised schedule, Celebrity Cruises issued new arrival times for embarking guests. For example, those initially scheduled for 11 am were asked to arrive at 2 pm. The 1 pm group was shifted to 4 pm, and the final group (2–3 pm) was advised to arrive by 5 pm. The cruise line emphasised that all guests should be checked in and onboard by 6:00 PM, with the ship setting sail at 7:00 PM. This efficient boarding process allowed the ship to depart on time for its next 12-night cruise, visiting ports like Shimizu, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and a stop in Busan, South Korea.
No Damage to Ship
It’s crucial to highlight that Celebrity Cruises was not at fault for the incident. The Celebrity Millennium did not sustain any damage during the delay. There were no technical issues with the ship itself. The delay was purely a safety measure to ensure the harbour was clear for safe navigation.
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