Celebrity Cancels Second Cruise Due to Lobster Violation. Intentional or Oversight? You decide!

Jason · June 5, 2013

Celebrity Cruises has cancelled the June 9 departure of the Celebrity Expedition in the Galapagos Islands after its permit to sail in Galapagos National Park was suspended for 45 days. The cruise line was cited for the transportation and storage of 12 kilograms of frozen lobster tails in the Galapagos while out of season. The June 2 cruise was previously cancelled.

A Celebrity spokeswoman said the lobster was purchased legally during the season from local fishermen certified by the national park. “No purchases of lobsters were made out of season,” the company said. “A new regulation published by the park stated that the lobsters must be consumed within five days after the end of season. The violation is for having the frozen lobster tails in our freezer after the season ended.”

Despite the 45-day suspension, Celebrity hasn’t cancelled other cruises yet because it is negotiating to restore the permit as soon as possible. The line posts updates on the situation on its website.

Guests booked on the June 9 cruise will get a full refund and a 25 percent credit for another Celebrity Xpedition cruise. The credit is based on the amount they paid for their June 9 cruise and may be used within two years. Future cruise certificates will be mailed to guests’ home address or travel agent within two to three weeks. Celebrity will refund air costs if purchased through the cruise line. Those who did not purchase air through Celebrity will be reimbursed for airline change fees. Those booked on the June 9 cruise can call 888-829-4050.

By Theresa Norton Masek, Travel Pulse

For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

http://www.cruisecrazies.com

Click here to view the article

coloradocruisers · June 6, 2013

Too bad for the folks who were booked. I think I'd prefer a cruise to nowhere (at a discount) over a cancellation.

Sarge6870 · June 9, 2013

For me, there are many unanswered questions in this story. Was there an investigation as to WHEN the lobster had been purchased? Since that is a regular port of call for the Expedition, had it been purchased less than 5 days prior to the discovery of the lobster onboard? What is with the "5 day" consumption rule? For me, if the lobster was purchased within the regulated season, why couldn't it be frozen for consumption outside of the 5 day rule since you can freeze seafood for some time? It's kind of like being fined for something AFTER the law regarding the infraction expired!! I just feel the Galapagos National Park shot itself in the foot by suspending the Expeditions permit for 45 day's. That's a lot of tourist dollars that they will now not get.