ROYAL Caribbean passengers have been left “devastated” after the cruise company cancelled a number of upcoming trips after a falling crane damaged one of its ships.
The Oasis of the Seas ship, which can carry up to 6,296 passengers, was hit by a falling crane while docked in the Bahamas, resulting in the damage.
In a letter seen by Business Insider, Royal Caribbean explained that the crane damaged some of the suites and the AquaTheater, which puts on water-based shows and performances on board the ship.
Eight people were injured during the incident although none of their injuries were life-threatening.
Thousands of passengers have now had their cruise holidays cancelled at the last minute while the ship undergoes repairs in Spain.
The cancelled trips include sailings departing on April 7, April 14 and April 21, with plans to resume again on May 5 from Barcelona.
Heartbroken passengers complained on social media after finding out their trips had been cancelled, with anniversaries and graduation trips ruined.
One wrote: “We’ve been planning our 10th anniversary for 8 months and just like that down the drain it goes.”
Another said: “#OasisoftheSeas was my honeymoon.”
Passengers who have been affected will receive full refunds as well as full credit for their next cruise with Royal Caribbean.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “We have informed our guests that, in order to complete the interrupted dry dock of Oasis of the Seas, we have cancelled the ship’s April 7, April 14, and April 21 sailings.
“Guests on the three sailings will receive full refunds, as well as full credit toward a future cruise. We are sorry for the disruption to their holiday plans.
“Oasis of the Seas will head from the Grand Bahama shipyard to be serviced at facilities in Cadiz, Spain.
“She will then resume her scheduled itineraries, beginning with the May 5 sailing from Barcelona.”
Other Royal Caribbean passengers faced problems with the cruise liner earlier this year after they missed the ship’s leaving time, stranding them on land.
A video of the couple chasing the ship quickly went viral after they realised they missed the boat.
However, they later claimed that they were given the incorrect time of departure and it left two hours early.
