Anthem 1/9 Sailing- Delayed

[thewebbys]

Just received email and text that tomorrow sailing has been delayed by 1hr because of mechanical limitation. If you are sailing tomorrow you need to confirm that you got the notice.

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest, Before you head to the terminal for our January 9th, 2022 sailing onboard Anthem of the Seas, we have some important information to share with you. Due to a mechanical limitation with one of the ship’s azipods, Anthem of the Seas will have a delayed arrival back into Cape Liberty, New Jersey. While our ship is 100% seaworthy, as a precaution, we’ve lowered our speed. As a result, our check-in window at the pier will begin a little later than originally planned. We kindly ask that you please arrive one (1) hour later than your originally selected arrival window. Sticking to your new arrival time is important to have the best boarding day experience. All guests should be checked-in and onboard by 3:30 PM. If you’re traveling with unvaccinated children in your party, please arrive before 3:00 PM. Arriving at your originally selected arrival time will result in you being turned away until your new time. If you have not completed online check-in already, please complete it as soon as possible via the Royal Caribbean App or online at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/booked. Your vacation is important to us, along with the flexibility to make the best decision for you and those in your party. We want you to be aware that there’s a possibility we may need to modify our itinerary after departure. In the event an itinerary change is required, we’ll be sure to update you as soon as possible and will provide you with an onboard credit for any missed port days. Lastly, we know this is an unexpected change that may not work for everyone. So, if you prefer to not sail or would like to reschedule your cruise, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or give us a call at 1 (866) 562-7625 or at 954-628-9290 for our international guests. We’re happy to assist. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We can’t wait to welcome you onboard Anthem of the Seas! Sincerely, Royal Caribbean International

[Cruiser Nonna]

Wow - we have not received anything either email or text or on the App - still says the time for tomorrow - that we have confirmed for check in and not to come early

 

Very strange - 

[toad455]

at least with San Juan cancelled we have three days to get to St. Maarten.

[JT1962]

I wonder how much the speed is affected and if the itinerary will be changed? 

[Cruiser Nonna]

If other passengers on Anthem for 1/9 received either email or text - please confirm that you did - trying to figure out if everyone received or should have received this notice.

Thank you - stay well and safe

[Cruiser Nonna]

Just received email from Royal with same information as original poster - thank you so much the webbys for the heads up - stay well and safe - 

[reallyitsmema]

Just saw on a different social media site that Captain just announced ship is getting in 2 hours late, which means 8:30am according to the person posting from the ship.

[Biker19]

34 minutes ago, Cruiser Nonna said:

 

 

Very strange - 

Allure had azipod issues for a long time which limited her speed- not that unusual. 

Edited January 9, 2022 by Biker19

[Sunshine3601]

The live thread for current sailing mentioned they were rocking and rolling last night and this morning that may have to do with the azipod issue and why they had to slow down.     

Hopefully all will be fine for our sailing.     We have 3 days to get to St. Maarten since PR was changed to a sea day.    See you all onboard tomorrow🤩

[Sunshine3601]

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Allure had azipod issues for along time which limited her speed- not that unusual. 

Exactly!    We were on Allure Jan 2020 when she had azipod issues and didn't impact our sailing.   I am sure we will be fine too!

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

We were on Allure Jan 2020 when she had azipod issues and didn't impact our sailing.  

I seem to recall some Eastern runs had some port times affected by the lack of full speed. 

[Sunshine3601]

Just now, Biker19 said:

I seem to recall some Eastern runs had some port times affected by the lack of full speed. 

I think we had a western carib itinerary and I don't remember any delays but it was 2 years ago and a lot has happened since that sailing so I cannot say for sure.   

[EllieinNJ]

Just got the email about an hour ago.  Strange that it came so late in the day. 

[Biker19]

Just now, EllieinNJ said:

 Strange that it came so late in the day. 

The mechanical issue just happened this afternoon. 

[Peak city]

13 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

Just saw on a different social media site that Captain just announced ship is getting in 2 hours late, which means 8:30am according to the person posting from the ship.

 

And this is why you don't want to book a morning flight back home.  

[cruiserking]

Is this azipod issue something that can be fixed in port or does it need a dry dock?

 

I hope they don't cancel.any upcoming cruises to fix it. So many pitfalls these days. I need a cruise.

 

Jonathan 

[BND]

We have friends on this cruise and just talked to them.  They know about it.  It impacts their speed a little, but with the cancelled port, they have plenty of time.  Hardly the first time a ship has had azipod issues.  

[Jimbo]

When you get onboard and after they are underway. Go to the back of the ship and check out the wake the ship is making, you can easily know it's not working correctly because the wake will look weird.

 

I think the way the operate the ship is the one side of the ship has more power, so they actually steer into the power side to make the ship go straight.

 

This happened one time on one of our sailings on Vision of the Seas on a Mexican Rivera cruise........Just have to sail really slow, makes for rough sailing with both sides aren't working correctly in rough seas though.

 

Take extra Meclizine for sure.

[Another_Critic]

4 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

When you get onboard and after they are underway. Go to the back of the ship and check out the wake the ship is making, you can easily know it's not working correctly because the wake will look weird.

 

I think the way the operate the ship is the one side of the ship has more power, so they actually steer into the power side to make the ship go straight.

 

This happened one time on one of our sailings on Vision of the Seas on a Mexican Rivera cruise........Just have to sail really slow, makes for rough sailing with both sides aren't working correctly in rough seas though.

 

Take extra Meclizine for sure.

Vision doesn’t have Azipods.

[Jimbo]

7 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Vision doesn’t have Azipods.

Same Difference.......well whatever Vision has, we only had power on the back from one side of the ship

[HicksRA]

I believe on Allure, it was a bad seal. Probably same issue. Seems like Liberty had the same problem which caused the lube to be changed often. Has to go to dry dock for repair but they can limp along for some time. 

[BND]

Azipods have their issues.  There are pros and cons to using them.

[gmerick]

Azipod issues in the past have meant several months of slower speeds, and not as much time in port. Alure, and Anthem of recent memory.  Anthem still has 3 more 11 day sailings, with already late port arrivals in Puerto Rico and St Maarten.  If San Juan is off the schedule, maybe we can still keep on track for the other ports.

[toad455]

San Juan is off the itineraries for the 11-day schedules and have been replaced by a sea day.

[bajathree]

2 hours ago, cruiserking said:

Is this azipod issue something that can be fixed in port or does it need a dry dock?

 

I hope they don't cancel.any upcoming cruises to fix it. So many pitfalls these days. I need a cruise.

 

Jonathan 

It's usually a bad seal within the Azipod. They can operate for some time like this at a reduced speed. Fixing the issue requires a dry dock to replace the bad seal.