Passengers Protest Glacier Cancellation on Ovation of the Seas

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas held protests at guest services after the ship canceled its planned scenic visit to Hubbard Glacier during the current Alaska cruise.

Videos and posts shared on social media showed groups of guests chanting “We Want Hubbard” following the captain’s announcement of the itinerary change.

According to passengers onboard, the disruption was linked to ongoing redevelopment work at the Port of Seward. The cruise had originally been scheduled to end in Seward, but shortly before departure, the arrival port was reportedly changed to the Whittier Cruise Terminal because of construction and operational limitations.

The revised arrival arrangements created additional scheduling pressures for the vessel. Guests said the captain later explained that congestion from marine traffic and the narrow approach into Whittier required the ship to arrive at approximately 1 a.m.

To accommodate the updated schedule, the scenic cruising portion at Hubbard Glacier was removed from the itinerary.

For many passengers, the cancellation was especially disappointing, as Hubbard Glacier is considered one of the main highlights of Alaskan cruises.

Some guests also claimed crew members had indicated the glacier stop might have been expected to be canceled earlier in the voyage, which reportedly increased frustration among passengers. However, those claims were not confirmed either by the captain or by Royal Caribbean International representatives.