The decision was announced Tuesday afternoon, the day after the cruise was to have begun.
'We understand that this was not what our guests were expecting, and not what we said last night, and we share in their disappointment,' the company said in a statement.
Royal Caribbean will provide a full refund of the cruise fare plus a future cruise certificate for 25% of the fare paid for the Feb. 23 voyage. The certificate may be used on any Royal Caribbean ship within the next year.
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