Passengers sailing on Celebrity Equinox are facing a short delay after a broken cargo ship in Buenos Aires obstructed the vessel’s return to port.
According to guests currently onboard, the captain made an announcement explaining that a disabled cargo ship had obstructed the channel leading into Buenos Aires. One passenger shared in a sailing group that instead of arriving at 5:00 a.m. on February 14 as scheduled, the ship would reach port “2 to 2-1/2 hrs after that.”
The captain later confirmed the cargo vessel was moving, but the delay would impact Celebrity Equinox’s arrival time.
The situation affects two sailings: the current January 31 sailing to Antarctica and the round-trip Patagonia and Argentina cruise scheduled to embark on February 14.
Boarding is delayed for Celebrity Equinox’s next sailing
Guests scheduled to board on February 14 received a formal “Boarding Day Update” notifying them that embarkation times had shifted.
The email states, “Due to a delay in arrival from the previous sailing, Celebrity Equinox will be arriving later than we initially planned. As a result, we will experience some delays at the terminal causing us to push our departure back.”
The cruise line emphasized that “the terminal will not be open for embarkation until check-in begins” and instructed passengers to follow newly assigned arrival windows.
Original check-in times beginning at 10:30 a.m. were moved two hours later, with the earliest updated arrival now 12:30 p.m. Guests with afternoon times also saw shifts, and those previously scheduled for 2:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. were asked to arrive at 4:00 p.m. at the latest.
The letter further reminded guests, “If you don’t have an arrival time currently scheduled, please arrive no later than 4:00 PM as our all-aboard time is 4:30 PM.”
Current Antarctica sailing impacted
Celebrity Equinox departed on January 31 from Buenos Aires and visited ports of call in Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Paradise Harbor and Elephant Island in Antarctica, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, Puerto Madryn, and Montevideo before returning to Buenos Aires on February 14.
The February 14 itinerary is another 14-day round-trip from Buenos Aires visiting Montevideo, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, Cape Horn, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Madryn, and Punta del Este before returning to Argentina on March 14.
While port congestion and weather-related delays are not uncommon in South American sailings, channel obstructions caused by commercial vessels are less typical. At this time, Celebrity Cruises has not indicated any changes to the February 14 itinerary beyond the delayed embarkation and adjusted departure time.
For now, passengers scheduled to sail on February 14 are advised to follow the revised check-in times provided by the cruise line and monitor their email for any additional updates.
Celebrity Equinox’s previous mooring incident in Buenos Aires
This isn’t the first time Celebrity Equinox has drawn attention during her current season in Buenos Aires.
In late December 2025, the ship broke several mooring lines during embarkation while docked at the cruise terminal in Buenos Aires.
Strong winds caused the vessel to break away from the pier, forcing boarding operations to pause. Passengers already inside the terminal reported hearing announcements instructing guests to remain clear of the gangway area.
As the ship moved off the dock, the gangway fell into the water and the cruise ship was struck by a refueling vessel. Tugboats were called in to help stabilize the vessel, and port officials worked with the crew to safely re-secure the ship.
About Celebrity Equinox
Celebrity Equinox is a Solstice Class cruise ship built in 2009, placing her among the mid-generation vessels in Celebrity’s fleet.
The vessel was later modernized as part of the line’s fleet-wide “Celebrity Revolution” refurbishment program. When it comes to design, Celebrity Equinox showcases the cruise line’s signature contemporary design in a more intimate, upscale setting.
The vessel accommodates approximately 2,850 guests at double occupancy and sails with a crew of around 1,200. Like her sister ships, Celebrity Equinox is known for her spacious public areas, real grass Lawn Club on the top deck, and a strong focus on culinary experiences.
Onboard dining includes specialty venues such as Murano and Tuscan Grille, along with the globally inspired Silk Harvest and the popular Sushi on Five. The ship also features multiple bars and lounges, a full-service spa, and Celebrity’s adults-only Solarium pool area.
Celebrity Equinox regularly sails port-intensive itineraries throughout the year, including Europe and South America. During the Southern Hemisphere summer, she frequently operates longer voyages from Buenos Aires to Antarctica and Patagonia, offering guests the opportunity to explore some of the most remote and dramatic landscapes in the world.
