Propeller damage cuts short Azamara Journey cruise

[HostDave]

Azamara Journey will end its cruise early, in Osaka, Japan, on Friday, for drydock work to repair propeller damage. Passengers will remain on board until Sunday, when they will be flown to Shanghai, where the cruise was scheduled to end March 3.

Azamara Club Cruises said it is possible the March 3 voyage from Shanghai will be impacted. The company aims to provide an update within 48 hours, and said passengers or their travel agents will be contacted directly.

'Drydock options in Asia are being evaluated quickly,' tweeted Azamara president and CEO Larry Pimentel, who assured the passengers, crew and ship are safe, and that it's safe for Azamara Journey to operate at reduced speed.

In a series of tweets, Pimentel said the propeller had been damaged by debris, a cable that floated up and connected with the shaft as the ship was arriving at Tokyo on Tuesday. A short drydock is required.

The company is working hard to get back to regularly scheduled operations, he added, calling the situation 'unfortunate, but a reality. We have engaged positively.'

Pimentel and Azamara's vp operations are flying to Japan to meet with passengers.

The company will be arranging flights to Shanghai and will provide hotel accommodations until passengers are able to pick up their original schedule.

They will receive refunds for the missed days of the voyage as well as 25% off their next Azamara cruise.

[HostDave]

Azamara Club Cruises said Azamara Journey will resume its regular schedule on March 17, following repairs to a damaged propeller which required the cancellation of the March 3 voyage from Shanghai. The ship will re-enter service from Hong Kong with a 17-night Asia cruise.

Azamara president and ceo Larry Pimentel told Seatrade Insider in an email that the repair yard would be determined on Friday.

This morning Azamara Journey's March 3-17 cruise from Shanghai was canceled to allow for drydock work on one of the ship's propellers. Passengers will get a full refund and a future cruise certificate worth 75% of the fare paid for the March 3 voyage.

Debris—a floating cable—damaged the propeller when Azamara Journey was arriving at the port for Tokyo on Tuesday. The current cruise will end early, on Friday at Osaka.

Pimentel, who flew to Japan to meet the ship, tweeted overnight that repairs are straightforward. 'The issue is drydock availability which requires us to wait for repairs,' he wrote.

'It is regrettable that this incident occurred and spoiled our guests' vacation. We will do everything we can to assist them,' both Pimentel and Azamara tweeted.

'It is tough to be affected by floating debris,' Pimentel said, then injected a positive note: 'The crew is outstanding, the land-based staff is outstanding and we will continue a great year.'