UPDATE: Celebrity Infinity to Remain in Turkey Extra Days: All Ports Canceled, Refunds Upgraded

Cruise passengers on Celebrity Infinity are facing an unplanned extended stay in a Mediterranean port.  The cruise ship is currently stuck in the Turkish port of Kuşadası after the ship reportedly lost power due to a small electrical fire on July 7th.

The incident led to a “total blackout” for several hours, impacting air conditioning, lights, and food service.

Passengers initially described challenging conditions due to the heat and other complications. One online post stated, “It was a total blackout for a few hours… No power meant no communications, no power to rooms, no AC, delayed shows, delayed meals.”

However, other passengers noted a calm demeanor onboard, with many “making the most of it.”

Longer Stay in Turkey

In an updated letter sent to guests on July 9th, 2025, Celebrity Cruises confirmed that Celebrity Infinity will remain docked in Kuşadası, Turkey, through Friday at 3:00 PM local time.

The ship will then proceed directly to Athens, Greece, with disembarkation still scheduled for Saturday, July 12th, as originally planned.

This extended delay means Celebrity Infinity will miss all previously scheduled remaining port stops, including Thessaloniki and Mykonos. (A passenger post on Reddit also mentioned Kavala as a missed port, though the official letter did not specifically name it in the context of a canceled stop.)

Updated Compensation Offered

To compensate guests for the disrupted itinerary and inconvenience, Celebrity Cruises has announced more compensation than what was originally announced.

Refundable onboard credits ranging from $200 USD to $600 USD based on cabin category were first announced in an initial letter, but the extended stay in Turkey has prompted the cruise line to sweeten the offer.

Here is the updated compensation being offered to impacted guests:

• 50% of the cruise fare will be refunded in the form of a refundable Onboard Credit, which can be used during the remainder of the cruise.
• 50% of the cruise fare will be issued as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which may be applied toward a future Celebrity Cruises vacation departing within the next year. This certificate will be sent automatically to the guest’s email address on file within the next 14 days.

This compensation package effectively refunds the entire cruise fare, split between immediate onboard credit and a future cruise credit.

According to a Reddit post from a passenger, those on board were “moderately happy with the compensation offer (even if not fully satisfied… should’ve been 100%).”

Extra Excursions While Remaining in Turkey

In addition to the financial compensation, the Shore Excursions team has organized complimentary Turkey-based excursions for guests for Thursday and Friday.

These tours will go beyond Kuşadası and include Ephesus. Guests can sign up onboard via the Celebrity Cruises app beginning at 10:30 AM on July 9th. Passengers who booked independent tours are advised to contact their tour operators for refunds.

Any Shore Excursions booked for Thessaloniki and Mykonos will be automatically refunded to SeaPass accounts. Any remaining refundable onboard credit at the end of the sailing will be reimbursed to the card on file within 14 business days from final disembarkation.

In the letter, Celebrity Cruises stated their commitment to enhancing the onboard experience, treating the remainder of the time as “multiple sea days” with a full schedule of activities, culinary events, and entertainment.

Passenger Reactions

Passenger sentiment, as shared on Reddit, indicates growing concern about the ability to reach Athens on schedule, with one user stating, “we are now very stressed that we may not even make it to Athens. How are we going to get home if the ship still is not safe to sail by the weekend?”

Despite the setbacks and worries, many passengers are reportedly trying to stay positive, with admiration for the crew’s efforts to manage the situation.

Celebrity’s Commitment

In their letter, Celebrity Cruises stated, “We want to begin by thanking you for your continued patience, understanding, and flexibility during your time with us aboard Celebrity Infinity. Your safety and well-being remain our highest priority, and every decision we make is guided by that commitment.”