The Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship is stranded at Canada Place because of job action by tug boat workers.
Striking workers on Sunday prevented a fuel barge from being removed from the cruise ship, thereby preventing the ship from departing for Alaska at 4:30 p.m., Cruise Lines International Association - North West & Canada (CLIA) spokesman Barry Penner told BIV.
Celebrity Cruises said on Twitter at 12:36 p.m., "we're excited to announce that your #JourneyWonderFULL will be underway shortly. We appreciate your patience and wish you the best sailing though Alaska!"
Earlier, it tweeted that it was "working diligently with all local authorities to resolve the situation."
It remains unclear when the ship will be able to leave, or what will happen with the Disney Wonder ship set to leave later today
The Canadian Merchant Service Guild posted a notice to its website on August 25, saying that a strike would start at noon that day. It is in a dispute with Seaspan’s marine transport division given that its most recent contract expired in 2019, according to the union.
"My understanding is that it wasn't like what you would think of as traditional picketing – outside the terminal. It was something down on the water," Penner said.
"Yesterday was a busy day at the port. We had four significant sized cruise ships so it was one of the busiest days of the summer. Three out of the four were able to leave."
Passengers took to Twitter to voice frustration.
"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," wrote a Twitter user with the handle @shakeyneil at 7:22 a.m. this morning.
A person behind the Twitter account @MarkPow57791085 added that "we spent thousands of dollars to go on this cruise and are stuck."
