Cruise ship stuck in Vancouver leaves for Alaska after strike delay

After a major delay, a cruise ship that was stuck in Vancouver due to an ongoing strike is now on route to Alaska.

The Celebrity Eclipse was supposed to leave Canada Place at 5 p.m. Sunday. However, due to job action by members of Seaspan, the vessel was stuck at port until Monday afternoon.

 

What a fantastic view your paying customers have… pic.twitter.com/aiZDIC1KDb

— Laura Dietz (@LauraMDietz) August 29, 2022

“We’re excited to announce that you #JourneyWonderFULL will be underway shortly,” Celebrity Cruises tweeted just after 12:30 p.m. “We appreciate your patience and wish you the best sailing through Alaska!

#CelebrityEclipse guests – We're excited to announce that your #JourneyWonderFULL will be underway shortly. We appreciate your patience and wish you the best sailing though Alaska!

— Celebrity Cruises (@CelebrityCruise) August 29, 2022

The ship was able to leave after a fuel barge was detached Monday afternoon.

The Canadian Merchant Services Guild has been on strike since Thursday. While Seaspan doesn’t directly assist cruise ships, it does tow barges like the one that was attached to the vessel.

@CelebrityCruise Eclipse Barge finally being pulled away. @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/wIjOexd6LX

— Pat Waslen (@WASLEN) August 29, 2022

In the lead up to the departure, many frustrated passengers took to social media to complain.

“Been onboard for nearly 20 hours now and not moved an inch. Not going anywhere and can’t get off. Worst thing is total lack of communication from company,” one person tweeted Monday morning.

@CelebrityCruise 1/2 Stuck on Celebrity Eclipse in Vancouver Harbour. Been onboard for nearly 20 hours now and not moved an inch. Not going anywhere and can’t get off. Worst thing is total lack of communication from company . Just had first announcement since 6pm last night

— Neil Young (@shakeyneil) August 29, 2022

“@CelebrityCruise telling your stranded customers onboard the Eclipse in Vancouver that you’re doing everything you can 24hrs later isn’t good enough. Two other ships have managed to leave. Why hasn’t yours? Or have you not paid your fuel bill?!” another wrote.

In a reply, the company said the Eclipse “just happened to be the last ship scheduled to depart the port.”

“There’s a local tug workers strike. Without the support of tug boats, the ship is unable to depart the port. We’re working diligently with all local authorities to resolve the situation,” Celebrity Cruises added.

In another reply, Celebrity Cruises stressed that “every effort” was being made to get the ship out.

“Your Captain will share any and all details with you around the ship’s plans,” it told a passenger, despite claims from some onboard that they were being provided no information from staff.

Hi Stuart, every effort is being made to have the ship on its way as soon as possible. We are working diligently with all of the local authorities to do everything we can to resolve the situation. Your Captain will share any and all details with you around the ship’s plans.

— Celebrity Cruises (@CelebrityCruise) August 29, 2022

Strike ongoing

A notice to Seaspan members of the guild notes that negotiations had “reached an impasse,” with strike action to affect “all 30 of the Seaspan tugs” in B.C.

In a response to CityNews, Seaspan says it “has been in negotiations to renew the collective agreements with unions representing our Marine Transportation workers.”

“Despite our best efforts, and with the assistance of federal mediators, we have been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with the Canadian Marine Services Guild (CMSG). As a result there has been job action by workers associated with Seaspan’s ship assist and tug & barge businesses,” the statement reads.

“It is unfortunate that the job action by CMSG workers has caused other union workers to refuse work that has resulted in delays to vessels and in some cases, passengers. Seaspan values its employees and the communities in which we operate and are committed to treating all employees fairly and maintaining a strong, capable workforce. We are working to resolve the issues and minimize impacts to our customers and the broader industry.”

The union, meanwhile, has declined to provide comment on the matter.

The Port of Vancouver previously confirmed to CityNews that the “labour action by the Canadian Merchant Services Guild, including on-water picketing near Canada Place” affected the Celebrity Eclipse’s departure.

“The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for maintaining the safety and efficiency of navigation through the Port of Vancouver. We are working with the cruise line, terminal operator Ceres, Seaspan, the Vancouver Police Department and Transport Canada toward a swift resolution of this matter,” an earlier statement to CityNews read.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correctly attribute the statement about negotiations to Seaspan. The union has declined to provide comment.