The closure of the San Juan Pier continues to impact cruise itineraries

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas had to detour San Juan, Puerto Rico again because of problems at Pier 3, the only berth that could accommodate the massive Oasis-class ships.

The pier, which has been closed since an April 2024 docking accident in which a mooring dolphin was lost, remains out of service and there is no timeline for reopening. This has disrupted several Royal Caribbean itineraries as it is the only port that can accommodate a ship of this size.

Royal Caribbean ship skips San Juan

The ship’s departures on December 22 and 29 were the last to have its itinerary changed to remove San Juan. In a note to guests, Royal Caribbean cited ongoing construction and a recommendation from the San Juan Port Authority as reasons for the changes.

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As a result, Symphony of the Seas will now visit ports such as Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Nassau, Bahamas, instead of San Juan and other previously scheduled stops.

This is the third time that Symphony of the Seas’ port call has been canceled at short notice.

A guest on the Dec. 29 cruise told Cruise Radio that they had planned to propose in San Juan, but were informed of the change at the last minute, scuttling their engagement plans with a professional photographer.

USCG cites safety concerns over the pier closure

The U.S. Coast Guard has reiterated that Pier 3 will remain closed pending satisfactory evaluation studies and an on-site inspection confirming the structure’s safety.

In a Nov. 27 statement, Capt. Luis J. Rodriguez, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of the port, cruise ships and the thousands of visitors who rely on the facility.

“San Juan’s Pier 3 West welcomes the largest cruise ships in the world,” Rodriguez said. “We understand the inconvenience of this matter, but it is critical that we ensure the safety of the port.”

The pier has been closed since April and the Coast Guard is still waiting for required safety assessments San Juan cruise Port and the Port Authority of Puerto Rico.

Frustration is growing among cruisers and locals

The extended closure has drawn criticism from both cruise lines and Puerto Rican residents. Many guests expressed dissatisfaction with Royal Caribbean’s handling of the situation, with some citing short-notice notifications and lack of compensation for missed ports.