Royal Caribbean Delays Nordic Empress, Cancels Upcoming Cruise

Royal Caribbean International announced that Nordic Empress would delay its return to Philadelphia from Bermuda due to a storm that hit Bermuda Thursday night with wind gusts of 80 miles per hour. Royal Caribbean also canceled the next Nordic Empress sailing, scheduled to depart Sunday, October 14. Nordic Empress was docked at Bermuda's West End when the storm struck. Because of continuing high winds and rough seas, the decision was made to delay the ship's normal departure from Bermuda, which would have been Friday morning. Nordic Empress is expected to depart Bermuda Saturday morning and arrive in Philadelphia by noon Monday.

"The safety and comfort of our guests is always our highest priority," said Jack Williams, president of Royal Caribbean International. "We are doing everything possible to re-accommodate guests for this weekend's sailing."

Guests booked on the cancelled October 14 cruise will receive a full refund. In addition, for a limited time, Royal Caribbean will be extending a special offer to the impacted guests of a free cruise on any Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruise sailing through November 30, 2001. Bookings must be made by October 31, 2001. Guests who are unable to take advantage of this special offer will receive a 50-percent discount on any Royal Caribbean cruise of up to seven nights that departs on or before December 15, 2002, excluding holiday sailings.

Guests on the delayed sailing who purchased air transportation through Royal Caribbean will be assisted with new flight arrangements upon the ship's arrival in Philadelphia. The company will also reschedule ground transportation for guests who had arranged it through Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean is contacting impacted guests and travel agents. A special help desk also has been established to assist guests and travel agents. That help desk may be reached by dialing 1-800-722-5960.