Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas Returns to Miami
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas returned to the Port of Miami on Sunday after what passengers described as a voyage plagued with issues — all capped off by a surreal moment featuring Celine Dion’s iconic Titanic ballad, My Heart Will Go On.
According to passengers, the cruise, which departed for a week-long journey to the Caribbean, encountered rough seas and technical difficulties that left travelers feeling uneasy. Reports from onboard included mechanical noises, delayed activities, and power fluctuations in some parts of the ship.
“The whole trip just felt off,” said passenger Linda Morales. “Then to hear My Heart Will Go On playing in the background — it was both hilarious and terrifying. Everyone immediately thought of the Titanic!”
The song, famously associated with the 1997 blockbuster movie about the doomed ocean liner, played over the ship’s PA system as the vessel made its final approach back to Miami. While some passengers speculated it was a bizarre coincidence, others suspected it was an intentional — albeit poorly timed — choice.
Royal Caribbean has not commented directly on the song choice but issued a statement addressing the voyage:
“We are aware of passenger concerns during the Explorer of the Seas sailing last week. While the ship experienced minor technical issues, all systems remained operational, and there were no safety concerns at any time. We take all feedback seriously and are committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.”
Passenger accounts varied, with some describing loud noises coming from the engine room and moments of disarray during rough patches of weather. A few guests took to social media, sharing videos of items falling in dining areas and comments like, “We’re safe, but what a ride!”
The highlight — or lowlight — for many passengers was the unexpected Titanic theme song moment. “You can’t make this up,” said passenger Jake Thompson. “There we were, finally feeling like we’d made it, and then Celine Dion starts singing. People were laughing, crying, and panicking all at the same time.”
Despite the tumultuous journey, most passengers praised the ship’s crew for maintaining professionalism and doing their best to ensure safety and comfort.
Royal Caribbean has offered affected passengers future cruise credits as compensation, though some have expressed hesitation about sailing again. Others, however, are embracing the humor of the situation.
“We’re calling it the ‘Celine Cruise,’” Morales joked. “It wasn’t what we expected, but it’s definitely a story we’ll be telling for years.”
The Explorer of the Seas is scheduled for its next voyage after undergoing a routine maintenance check in Miami. Whether My Heart Will Go On will remain part of the ship’s soundtrack remains to be seen.
