Passengers aboard Ovation of the Seas staged protests at guest services after the ship canceled its scenic visit to Hubbard Glacier during the current Alaska voyage.
Video and social media posts shared online showed groups of passengers chanting “We Want Hubbard” after the last-minute itinerary change was announced by the captain.
The disruption appears to be connected to ongoing redevelopment work at Port of Seward. According to passengers onboard, the cruise was originally scheduled to end in Seward, but the arrival port was changed shortly before departure to Whittier Cruise Terminal due to port-related construction and operational issues.
The change created additional timing challenges for the vessel. Passengers said the captain later explained that heavy marine traffic and the narrow passage into Whittier required the ship to arrive around 1 a.m. To make the revised schedule work, the scenic cruising portion at Hubbard Glacier was removed from the itinerary.
For many guests, the cancellation was a major disappointment. Hubbard Glacier is widely considered one of the signature experiences on Alaska cruises.
Some passengers also claimed crew members suggested the glacier cancellation may have been anticipated earlier in the voyage, adding to tensions onboard. However, those claims were not confirmed by the captain or by any spokesperson from Royal Caribbean International.
