By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY
One of luxury line Regent Seven Seas’ three ships, the 700-passenger Seven Seas Voyager, is experiencing a propulsion problem and will need to be repaired before it can sail again with passengers.
A spokesperson for the line tells USA TODAY the seven-year-old vessel developed the problem on Sunday as it was preparing to depart from Athens on a Mediterranean cruise.
The voyage has been canceled.
“The ship will remain alongside (a dock) in Athens, Greece to (house) guests while arrangements are made to fly all guests back to their city of origin,” the line says in a statement. “Regent Seven Seas Cruises hopes to have all guests en route back to their city of origin by Oct. 6.”
Complimentary hotel accommodations in Athens will be arranged for any passenger not en route home by Oct. 6, the line adds.
Regent says the Seven Seas Voyager will depart Athens on Oct. 6 for Genoa, Italy, where its propulsion system will undergo an assessment and repair in a dry dock.
The line didn’t give an estimate of when the ship would return to service.
“Regent Seven Seas Cruises regrets any inconvenience and disappointment this has caused for our valued guests and travel partners,” the line’s statement says. “We will provide further updates and details on the disposition of the ship’s future voyages once the technical team has begun their assessment and established the time frame needed for repairs.”