Star of the Seas Cuts Cádiz Stop Amid Ongoing Strike

Royal Caribbean has changed its original plan to send its newest vessel, Star of the Seas, to the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz for its final outfitting, citing growing concerns over a prolonged and disruptive metalworkers’ strike in the area.

Initially scheduled to remain in Cádiz for two weeks, the ship will now make only a brief three-day visit from July 24 to July 26, 2025.

To compensate for the shortened stay, the cruise line has extended the vessel’s time in Finland, adding a seven-day outfitting period there. The ship, which was originally set to leave the Meyer Turku shipyard on July 10, will now remain in Turku until July 17, with departure expected around 5 p.m. local time.

This adjustment, first reported by La Voz de Cádiz, comes as a further setback for the troubled Spanish shipyard, which has been struggling with continued labor disputes and disruptions.

Royal Caribbean’s decision mirrors Carnival Cruise Line’s recent move to relocate Carnival Liberty from Navantia to Marseille, France, after similar strike-related delays during drydock work. Carnival later filed a €4.5 million claim against the shipyard for damages caused by the interruption.

The unrest in Cádiz has had broader implications for the cruise industry. In June, P&O Cruises' Ventura, carrying over 3,000 passengers, was forced to cancel a port call to Cádiz due to safety concerns stemming from the strike.

Labor tensions have escalated significantly in recent weeks. Although one union reached a provisional agreement with employers, another has refused the terms, calling the deal insufficient and continuing an open-ended strike. The situation has worsened with protests turning violent, causing property damage and leading to five arrests by local authorities.

With Royal Caribbean now reducing its engagement with the shipyard, following Carnival’s lead, the future outlook for Navantia and its role in the regional cruise and shipbuilding economy remains uncertain.