Royal Caribbean bypasses San Juan -- again -- because of ongoing protests

[Eugene]

Source: Miami Herald

Royal Caribbean bypasses San Juan — again — because of ongoing protests

BY TAYLOR DOLVEN
JULY 17, 2019 01:21 PM, UPDATED 5 HOURS 34 MINUTES AGO

Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas cruise ship will skip its scheduled stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday because of ongoing protests in the capital.

The itinerary change comes after the Miami-based cruise company rerouted another ship, Empress of the Seas, on Tuesday to avoid its scheduled stop on the island.

“Concern for the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members is our top priority,” said Owen Torres, the company’s spokesperson.

Harmony of the Seas is currently on a seven-day eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral and is carrying 6,594 passengers. The ship will continue to its next stop, St. Maarten island, Wednesday instead of stopping in San Juan. Tourism Department secretary Carla Campos Vidal said the loss of business from the two Royal Caribbean ships could have cost the island at least $532,000.

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Read more: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article232782312.html

[at140]

1. When I am on a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean,

I avoid going into the port city. Why you ask? Because why should I pay to buy food in the port when it is all free on the ship? And water on the ship has never made me sick.

And why do I need to go shopping for junk items in the port? Besides, the ship is half empty on port days, so the pools, restaurants are not crowded and no lines!

[kimbutgar]

2. When I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise it left and returned to Puerto Rico

I wonder if they skipped this port since the hurricane as a debarkation port?

My first, only and last royal Caribbean cruise.