Worn-out life vests delay cruise for almost 3,000 passengers at Port Canaveral

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — After a delay of about 24 hours, nearly 3,000 passengers finally embarked on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas from Port Canaveral.

Worn-out life vests held the ship at Port Canaveral overnight Monday, and passengers had to remain aboard because U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents had gone home for the day.

After hours aboard the ship, passengers were allowed to disembark at 8:30 a.m., but they had to return to the docked ship by noon.

Passenger Mellissa Bright told Channel 9 that she's disappointed in the cruise line.

"We're going to end up gaining weight because all we're doing is eating, drinking coffee," she said. "That's all there is to do, to be honest with you."

The ship was originally scheduled to set sail at 5 p.m. Monday for a four-night cruise to the Bahamas.

The ship pushed off just after 5 p.m. Tuesday.

"Yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a routine inspection of Majesty of the Seas," said Cynthia Martinez, a Royal Caribbean spokeswoman. "They came across some technical issues, including some outdoor life jackets that were showing their age."

Crew members began replacing the life vests at about 4 a.m.

Some passengers turned to social media to make sure those on land knew how they were feeling.

“Instead of a Caribbean vacation, I get to spend the night in an industrial shipyard,” passenger John Shingara said. “Thanks, no thanks.”

Passengers said they'll be refunded one-quarter of the cost and offered a 25 percent discount on a future cruise.

The ship is expected to depart the port sometime Tuesday afternoon, but it's unclear if the trip will be shortened.

Cox Media Group