Labor Unrest Leads to Shortened Cádiz Refit for Royal Caribbean’s Star OTS

Royal Caribbean has revised the refitting schedule for its newest Icon-class vessel, the Star of the Seas, due to a growing strike by metalworkers at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain. The ship’s stay in Cádiz has been cut down to just 3 days, from July 24 to 26, 2025, instead of the planned two weeks. After this short stop, it will continue its outfitting in Finland, with its departure from Meyer Turku now expected around July 17 at 17:00 local time.

This incident follows a similar situation earlier in the summer when Carnival Cruise Line diverted Carnival Liberty from Cádiz to Marseille due to the same labor issues. Carnival has since lodged a claim against Navantia for EUR 4.5 million regarding delays caused by the disruptions.

The strike has had significant repercussions for Navantia, which has been attempting to rebuild its reputation after a series of disruptions that led to cancellations and industrial action. Several other cruise vessels, including P&O Cruises’ Ventura, have also had to skip calls to Cádiz in light of the unrest.

The strike began on June 18-19, driven by disputes over pay and working conditions. While one union has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement, another remains on indefinite strike, with recent incidents of protests and property damage leading to multiple arrests.

Royal Caribbean’s adjustment is indicative of a broader trend, as operators are increasingly avoiding Cádiz until the labor dispute is resolved. Historically, the shipyard has been a favored destination for Royal Caribbean, which had nine refits scheduled there in 2023-2024, including a significant EUR 100 million overhaul of Allure of the Seas. However, these recent events may signal a potential shift in the future of repair contracts for the company.

As Star of the Seas embarks on its final outfitting stages in Finland and a brief visit to Cádiz, Navantia’s reputation as a reliable outfitter is under scrutiny amidst the ongoing labor turmoil.

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