Sapphire Princess May 11, 2024 Cruise Delayed - Propulsion Issues

[BDevilCruiser]

Woke up this morning in Vancouver to an email indicating that the Sapphire Princess would be late docking this morning due to a “technical issue”.  CC Member “that” in the roll call posted a letter sent to all on-board indicating it was a propulsion issue.  Ship should dock about 11, with boarding times starting at 3PM.

 

Don’t know if this is an isolated problem or if it’ll linger throughout our cruise and potentially for later ones.  If we hear something, we’ll post when able.

[AZ Ocean Lover]

We were notified last night that there was a propulsion problem and we were going to arrive in Vancouver at 11am instead of 7.  Mad scramble to reschedule flights but Princess is picking up the cost of change fees.  I don’t know about what’s happening with the folks boarding the ship but they aren’t going the be able to get on early.

[no1racefan1]

People boarding today received an email that boarding will be 3-5pm and not to show up before 3pm.

 

Following since we're on the 18th. 🤞

[wrongwaywatson]

We sail on her in July!  

[cruisinsince75]

Wish all the best for those both coming and going.  Does anyone know if the Sapphire uses an Azipod propulsion system?  That was the problem with the Radiance of the Seas earlier this month in Vancouver.  Seems to be only on RCL and Celebrity.

[tiller]

On the Sapphire now. Waiting to disembark, but they are calling groups. This ship definitely needs upgrades.

[Alaska05]

1 hour ago, no1racefan1 said:

People boarding today received an email that boarding will be 3-5pm and not to show up before 3pm.

 

Following since we're on the 18th. 🤞

We board today and will be on for a B2B.  At least boarding should be less congested since the other 2 ships should have already boarded.  Imagine it will be a zoo for dinner tonight. 
 

Yesterday Cruisemapper showed it getting in late. Wonder why it took Princess so long to notify us. Princess certainly continues to fall short in the communications area but has no trouble blasting out emails for excursions, upgrades, etc.

[TRLD]

1 hour ago, cruisinsince75 said:

Wish all the best for those both coming and going.  Does anyone know if the Sapphire uses an Azipod propulsion system?  That was the problem with the Radiance of the Seas earlier this month in Vancouver.  Seems to be only on RCL and Celebrity.

Sapphire does not use Azipods.

 

Princess has not used them on their ships. Sun is the first Princess ship to use them.

Edited May 11 by TRLD

[#1Nanna]

We were on the Sapphire, did not get off until noon today. I hope the problem is fixed quickly and doesn’t delay the next cruise. 

[BDevilCruiser]

On board about 3:45, got to the dock around 2:45.  Many lines to go through.  Due to the late arrival, the Blue Line to pick up a medallion was the longest, probably 20 minutes.  Security and customs was quick, then another long line (maybe 10minutes) to actually check in, then five minute line to get on board.  
 

last time I had a delay in boarding, the Celebrity Edge was 12 hours late due to being diverted for a passenger emergency.  And the Edge is currently across Canada Place, about to set sail.  (As Yogi would say, Deja vu all over again.)

 

we don’t know when we’re leaving the dock yet.

[cr8tiv1]

At least you are not on a Royal Class ship that is held hostage to Low Tide.  May this voyage be worry free.  Bon Voyage.

[startedwithamouse]

36 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

At least you are not on a Royal Class ship that is held hostage to Low Tide.  May this voyage be worry free.  Bon Voyage.

Good point!

[Goinggreens]

We had no communication from Princess in advance but our travel agency emailed.

No word on when the ship will depart yet.

[#1Nanna]

It looks as though the Sapphire is still along side Canada Place. Is this correct? If so, any news on when you will depart?

[BDevilCruiser]

11 minutes ago, #1Nanna said:

It looks as though the Sapphire is still along side Canada Place. Is this correct? If so, any news on when you will depart?

Captain made an announcement a few minutes ago.  Said we’re trying to leave around 10-11.  I question that right now.

 

propulsion issues will prevent best speed, we will miss Ketchikan on Monday, and late to Juneau on Tuesday.

 

doesn’t bode well for the following cruises.  Hope we actually make it out of the port.

 

sounds similar to the issues the Crown Princess had a couple of years ago.

[#1Nanna]

I was just curious as to what was going to happen as we just got off of the ship today. We were supposed to arrive in Port around 7 AM and we were quite delayed as you know. I think we arrived in Port about 10:30 AM. We did not get off the ship until a little after 12 noon. I hope the issues get resolved, and you are able to have an enjoyable cruise.  

[BDevilCruiser]

Well, dinner was very good (Alaskan Cod,). And I didn’t have to do the dishes.

 

there is a tug next to the ship, so maybe will set sail soon.

Edited May 12 by BDevilCruiser

[cr8tiv1]

And the Grand (not propulsion) last season.  
 

I think the Radiance of the Sea boarded passengers then had them get off the next day?

 

3 hours ago, BDevilCruiser said:

Captain made an announcement a few minutes ago.  Said we’re trying to leave around 10-11.  I question that right now.

 

propulsion issues will prevent best speed, we will miss Ketchikan on Monday, and late to Juneau on Tuesday.

 

doesn’t bode well for the following cruises.  Hope we actually make it out of the port.

 

sounds similar to the issues the Crown Princess had a couple of years ago.

 

[dougglehouse]

the sapphire princess is still in the vicinity of vancouver.  They may have left the dock to not pay additional port fees.  Was onboard yesterday and was told that a propulsion specialist has been dispatched to work on the propulsion problem.   

[dougglehouse]

You can track the ship's location on vessel finder.com

[no1racefan1]

59 minutes ago, dougglehouse said:

the sapphire princess is still in the vicinity of vancouver.  They may have left the dock to not pay additional port fees.  Was onboard yesterday and was told that a propulsion specialist has been dispatched to work on the propulsion problem.   

It looks like they are underway and are deviating from their usual route by sailing west of Vancouver Island. Maybe because of scheduling issues?

[AZDuck]

I'm following with interest as we'll be on the Sapphire in 3 weeks. She's making her way out to sea outside Vancouver Island at 12 to 13 knots about 60% cruising speed so it seems they're still working on the propulsion issues. Next stop is Juneau after cancelling Ketchikan. Hopefully whatever parts are needed can be delivered. Fingers crossed! 

[Alaska05]

20 hours ago, Alaska05 said:

We board today and will be on for a B2B.  At least boarding should be less congested since the other 2 ships should have already boarded.  Imagine it will be a zoo for dinner tonight. 
 

Yesterday Cruisemapper showed it getting in late. Wonder why it took Princess so long to notify us. Princess certainly continues to fall short in the communications area but has no trouble blasting out emails for excursions, upgrades, etc.

Yep Cruisemapper shows us going west of Vancouver Island. This is our 9th Alaska cruise so no biggie for us. I think most folks won’t know the difference. Just listening to conversations yesterday lots of people don’t do much research about their destination like we do here on CC. Heard an American absolutely mangle the pronunciation of Juneau. We’re doing a B 2 B so will be interesting how the 14 days play out. We’re skipping Ketchikan. We didn’t have anything planned but I feel sorry for folks who are doing their bucket list cruise of Alaska. 

[startedwithamouse]

43 minutes ago, AZDuck said:

I'm following with interest as we'll be on the Sapphire in 3 weeks. She's making her way out to sea outside Vancouver Island at 12 to 13 knots about 60% cruising speed so it seems they're still working on the propulsion issues. Next stop is Juneau after cancelling Ketchikan. Hopefully whatever parts are needed can be delivered. Fingers crossed! 

That's the fastest ANY ship is allowed go through the Strait. 

[sippican]

1 hour ago, Alaska05 said:

Yep Cruisemapper shows us going west of Vancouver Island. This is our 9th Alaska cruise so no biggie for us. I think most folks won’t know the difference. Just listening to conversations yesterday lots of people don’t do much research about their destination like we do here on CC. Heard an American absolutely mangle the pronunciation of Juneau. We’re doing a B 2 B so will be interesting how the 14 days play out. We’re skipping Ketchikan. We didn’t have anything planned but I feel sorry for folks who are doing their bucket list cruise of Alaska. 

 

Please keep us updated. We are scheduled to board on your disembarkation day. Second Alaska trip, first with land extension into Denali. Fingers crossed.