Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas was delayed departing Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand, after shore excursion buses were caught in traffic following a fatal crash on State Highway 73 near Arthur’s Pass.
Passengers sailing on the ship’s 12-night New Zealand itinerary reported that two buses returning from the “Southern Alps by Coach” shore excursion were unable to make it back to port on time due to the highway closure.
According to posts shared on social media for the February 15–27, 2026 sailing, more than 70 guests were affected by the delay. The excursion buses were not involved in the crash.
“Almost 6.30pm. 2 buses late to ship from Southern Alps by coach shore excursion. Car accident with fatality with motor bike on way back. Ship waiting for us,” one passenger wrote.
Another guest confirmed, “We are over 70 people. They are waiting.” The captain had earlier announced there were no cruise passengers involved in the accident itself.
Serious crash closes State Highway 73 at Arthur’s Pass
Anthem of the Seas’ delay was linked to a serious crash on West Coast Road (State Highway 73) at Arthur’s Pass.
According to local reporting by Chris Lynch Media, the highway was closed in both directions following a collision involving a motorcycle and a car. Police were notified around 1 p.m., and initial information indicated serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene, and the highway was expected to remain closed for some time while emergency services worked in the area. Motorists were urged to avoid the route and expect significant delays.
Passengers returning from the Southern Alps excursion had to travel through Arthur’s Pass, placing them directly along the impacted route.
One guest later wrote that Royal Caribbean was aware of the accident and that the excursion buses were stuck in the mountains. Ultimately, the ship waited and all guests were able to board safely.
Anthem of the Seas is currently sailing a 12-day round-trip New Zealand cruise that departed Sydney, Australia, on February 15, 2026.
The itinerary includes scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park, followed by port calls in Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Lyttelton (Christchurch), Wellington, Napier, and Tauranga (Rotorua), before returning to Sydney, Australia. Despite the setback, guests reported that the ship waited for the excursion buses to return before departing the port.
Importance of booking cruise-sponsored excursions
Incidents like this highlight one of the primary advantages of booking shore excursions directly through the cruise line.
Passengers who arrange independent tours are responsible for returning to the ship on time. If a tour is delayed due to traffic, weather, mechanical problems, or other unforeseen circumstances, the vessel is not required to wait.
By contrast, excursions purchased through the cruise line include operational safeguards. When delays occur outside guests’ control, ships will typically wait for organized tour groups.
If departure cannot be postponed due to port regulations or scheduling constraints, the cruise line coordinates transportation and covers the cost of reuniting affected passengers with the ship at the next port of call. Cruise lines also monitor excursion logistics in real time and maintain direct communication with local operators and authorities.
While ship-sponsored excursions are often priced higher than independently booked tours, that premium reflects built-in logistical coordination, contingency planning, and added protection in situations such as this.
In this case, Royal Caribbean’s decision to delay departure allowed more than 70 guests to return safely to Anthem of the Seas following the unexpected highway closure.
Anthem of the Seas’ recent technical issues
This latest headline comes after Anthem of the Seas faced operational challenges just last month.
As previously reported by Candid Cruise & Travel, Royal Caribbean was forced to cancel a New Zealand cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas due to technical issues that required additional repair time. The cruise line cited mechanical concerns that impacted the ship’s propulsion systems, leading to itinerary adjustments and full voyage cancellations while work was completed.
The 10-night New Zealand itinerary was set to include Picton, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin, along with scenic cruising through Fiordland.
Unfortunately, many impacted guests had already arrived in Australia when the cancellation was announced. This left thousands scrambling to rebook flights, secure last-minute hotels during peak school holiday season, or salvage portions of their vacation.
Royal Caribbean offered a full refund of cruise fare and pre-paid packages, plus a 25% Future Cruise Credit. However, many passengers criticized the limits as insufficient, particularly for international airfare.
Online reactions described the disruption as “absolutely devastating,” with travelers citing lost time off work, non-refundable arrangements, and once-in-a-lifetime plans derailed.
About Anthem of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. The vessel entered service in 2015 and was initially homeported in the United Kingdom before later repositioning to the United States and, more recently, Australia for seasonal deployments.
The ship has a gross tonnage of approximately 168,000 and accommodates around 4,100 passengers at double occupancy, supported by a crew of roughly 1,500. Designed as part of Royal Caribbean’s technology-focused Quantum Class, Anthem of the Seas introduced several high-profile features to the brand’s fleet.
Among its signature attractions are North Star, a glass observation capsule that rises above the ship to provide panoramic views; RipCord by iFly, an onboard skydiving simulator; and the FlowRider surf simulator.
The vessel also includes SeaPlex, a large indoor activity complex that hosts bumper cars and sports activities, as well as Two70, a multi-level entertainment venue featuring expansive ocean views and immersive digital displays.
Anthem of the Seas currently operates longer itineraries in Australia and New Zealand and repositions seasonally between hemispheres.
