Celebrity Cruises Calls Off Alaska Sailing, Shortens Another by One Day

Celebrity Cruises is canceling its June 3 sailing on Summit and shortened by one day its May 27 sailing to replace a radial-bearing unit that is showing premature wear in the ship´s starboard propulsion system.

"I sincerely apologize to our guests for this disruption to their vacation plans," said Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises. "I share in their disappointment and promise that we´ll do our best to assist them, as well as our travel agent partners, in rescheduling their vacations."

Guests booked on the June 3 sailing will receive a full refund for their cruise, plus a free future Celebrity cruise from North America of up to seven nights, departing on or before December 15, 2006, excluding holidays.

Travel agents will receive their full commission for the June 3 cruise, plus a $50 rebooking fee, per stateroom, when their clients reschedule their cruise.

Guests booked on the May 27 sailing, which will conclude one day sooner than scheduled and not make its scheduled port call in Ketchikan, Alaska, will receive a $300-per-stateroom onboard credit, reimbursement of airline change fees or hotel expenses up to $100 per guest and a 25 percent discount on a future Celebrity cruise from North America of up to seven nights, departing on or before June 30, 2006, excluding holidays.

Celebrity Cruises is the industry´s highest rated premium cruise brand with a taste of luxury. The cruise line has 10 ships in its fleet, which sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal and South America.