Royal Princess cancels Juneau and Ketchikan, issues 50 percent refund

Royal Princess left Seattle on Saturday 12 Sep 2026 for a seven-night Alaska cruise. By Sunday 13 Sep, Captain Steven Holland told guests an engine technical issue had limited the ship’s speed. Safety was not in doubt. Speed was.

Travelers Today reported the guest letter and the compensation on 19 Sep 2026. Load-bearing claims here rest on that Tier 2 reporting.

Ports you lose

Juneau on 14 Sep 2026 became a sea day. Ketchikan was cancelled as well. The revised path pointed the ship toward Victoria, British Columbia, for a 9pm call on 18 Sep, then Seattle on 19 Sep.

If you held Princess-booked tours in Juneau or Ketchikan, those should auto-credit onboard. Independent tours are on you. Contact the operator for refunds or rebooks.

The refund math

Princess said it will refund 50 percent of cruise fare to the original form of payment. The window given is 10 to 15 business days. That is fare only as described in the Travelers Today report. Confirm whether taxes, transfers, or prepaid packages sit outside that half refund when your folio updates.

Related September pressure on Princess

The same Travelers Today piece also flagged voluntary cabin give-up offers elsewhere in the fleet that month. Emerald Princess on 1 Sep and Island Princess on 16 Sep carried offers of a full refund, a 100 percent future cruise credit valid for two years, and up to $800 per person for documented travel costs. Those were separate sailings. They show Princess was already managing inventory and disruption in September 2026.

Next Tokyo sailing

Travelers Today, citing CruiseHive coverage, said the next 14-night Tokyo sailing from 19 Sep was not expected to take the same hit. Treat that as reported expectation, not a guarantee, until Princess confirms boarding and sea trials stay clean.

What you should do

If you sailed this Alaska itinerary, watch your original payment method for the 50 percent fare return. Screenshot any Princess tour credits. If you bought Juneau or Ketchikan tours yourself, open those refund tickets now. Guests booked on later Princess Alaska dates should still verify their own sailing has no companion advisory before travel week.