Seven Seas Mariner Undergoes Pod Adjustment

Radisson Seven Seas' 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner entered dry-dock for 24 days during April to undergo repairs to one of the two pods in its pod propulsion system. As a result, the line has had to cancel the vessel's April 22. 26 and May 9 cruises.

The vessel is expected to return to service on May 26, where it will commence a seven-night voyage from Venice to Rome.

The unscheduled dry-dock is viewed as a preventive as well as corrective measure. Alstom Marine & Rolls Royce Marine - joint manufacturers of the Seven Seas Mariner's Mermaid Pod Propulsion system - have advised the cruise line that bearings in one of the pods have suffered damage and will fail unless prompt action is taken.

Given that a failure of the bearings would lead to the failure of the entire pod, the line decided to place the vessel in dry-dock immediately.

Other ships, such as Celebrity's Infinity and Summit, which employ similar systems have also had to be temporarily dry-docked for repairs to pod bearings.

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