Cruise vacations are supposed to start with excitement — not cancellation emails.
But for guests booked on the February 16, 2026, departure of Celebrity Infinity, their long-awaited 11-night “Best of Greece” sailing has officially been scrapped following a serious technical breakdown and power loss.
And the timing? Just one day before embarkation.
What Went Wrong Onboard?
The cancellation comes after the 90,940-gross-ton Millennium-class ship experienced a technical failure at the end of its previous voyage.
Guests on that sailing reported:
- A sudden power loss
- Early debarkation
- Emergency announcements, including “bravo bravo bravo” (a maritime code often associated with onboard fires)
While Celebrity Cruises has not officially confirmed the nature of the issue, the situation is strikingly similar to a July 2025 incident involving a small fire that also led to a power outage and itinerary disruptions on the same ship.
In a message sent to impacted guests, the cruise line stated:
“During our previous voyage, the ship experienced a technical issue… we need additional time to complete necessary assessments and repairs.”
Rather than offering a shortened itinerary, the company made the decision to cancel the entire 11-night cruise — suggesting repairs may require specialty parts, deeper inspections, or extended engineering work.
The Cruise That Won’t Sail
The cancelled voyage was scheduled to be a Mediterranean highlight tour departing from Piraeus (Athens), featuring stops including:
- Mycenae
- Crete
- Rhodes
- Cyprus
- Turkey
The sailing was set to return to Athens on February 26.
With the full cancellation, thousands of guests are now scrambling to rearrange travel plans at the last minute.
Compensation: What Guests Are Receiving
To its credit, Celebrity Cruises is offering one of the more comprehensive compensation packages we’ve seen for a last-minute cancellation.
Here’s what affected guests will receive:
Full Refund
- 100% of the cruise fare.
- All non-refundable deposits.
- Pre-paid add-ons (WiFi, beverage packages, spa bookings, shore excursions, etc.)
Refunds will be processed within 14 business days.
100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC)
- Equal to the cruise fare (excluding taxes and add-ons).
- Valid on any Celebrity Cruises sailing within one year.
- Can be used on any ship in the fleet — not just Celebrity Infinity.
Travel & Hotel Reimbursements
If guests booked flights independently:
- Up to $200 for domestic flight change fees.
- Up to $400 for international flight change fees.
Hotel coverage:
- Up to $300 per night.
- For up to two nights.
Daily Incidentals
- $100 per guest per day.
- For up to two days.
Guests must submit receipts for reimbursement consideration.
What About the Next Sailing?
At this time, there’s no confirmation regarding the February 27 departure — a 10-night sailing.
If repairs are completed quickly, the cruise may proceed as scheduled. However, if inspections uncover more serious issues, additional cancellations cannot be ruled out.
A Second Incident in Less Than a Year?
What makes this situation more notable is that Celebrity Infinity experienced a similar fire-related power issue in July 2025.
While cruise ships are complex floating cities — and technical issues can happen — back-to-back major incidents inevitably raise questions about aging hardware, maintenance timelines, or deeper engineering concerns.
Celebrity Infinity:
- Capacity: 2,170 guests (double occupancy)
- Crew: ~1,000
- Class: Millennium
No injuries have been reported from this latest incident.
The Bigger Picture
Last-minute cancellations are one of the most frustrating things that can happen in cruising — especially when flights are booked, PTO is approved, and suitcases are already packed.
That said, from a safety perspective, cancelling the cruise rather than risking further complications was likely the only responsible decision.
As always, cruise lines prioritize:
- Passenger safety.
- Mechanical integrity.
- Regulatory compliance.
Even if it comes at a painful short-term cost.
We’ll be watching closely to see whether the February 27 sailing moves forward — and whether Celebrity provides further clarity on what exactly caused the breakdown.
For now, if you were booked on this cruise, check your email, monitor your refund timeline, and begin exploring FCC options if you plan to sail again.
And if you’re heading to Greece soon on another ship — double-check your travel insurance coverage. Situations like this are a reminder of why it matters.
