Labor Unrest Forces Royal Caribbean’s Star OTS to Cut Short Cadiz Refurbishment

Royal Caribbean has made significant changes to its final outfitting plans for the new cruise ship, Star of the Seas, due to ongoing labor unrest at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain. Originally planned for a two-week stay, the ship will now dock in Cádiz for only three days, from July 24 to July 26, 2025. Following this brief visit, the vessel will move on to Finland for an additional seven days of outfitting, with its departure from Meyer Turku delayed until around July 17 at 17:00 local time.

This situation mirrors a recent occurrence involving Carnival Cruise Line, which had to divert the Carnival Liberty, also in Cádiz, to Marseille due to similar labor disruptions. In response to these delays, Carnival has filed a claim for EUR 4.5 million against Navantia.

The unrest has had a negative impact on Navantia, which has been struggling to maintain its reputation following several project disruptions and cancellations. P&O UK’s ship Ventura had to skip Cádiz in June because of the same labor issues.

The conflict stemmed from a metalworkers’ strike on June 18–19, arising from disputes regarding pay, working conditions, and industrial protections. While one union has reached a preliminary agreement, another remains on an indefinite strike. The protests have included property damage and have led to multiple arrests.

Royal Caribbean’s decision is indicative of a broader trend where cruise operators are opting to avoid Cádiz until the labor dispute is resolved. The company has typically relied on the Navantia yard, planning multiple refits in the upcoming years, but this situation may lead to a reevaluation of future contracts with the shipyard as they continue to experience labor tensions.

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