The repaired Ruby Princess leaves San Francisco with 579 fewer passengers

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SAN FRANCISCO – The Ruby Princess cruise ship docked at Pier 27 in San Francisco departed Sunday with 579 fewer passengers.

The cruise line announced that the ship was ready to depart at 14.30 for a 7-day Alaska voyage after getting the green light from the US Coast Guard. The repair was reported complete and passed inspection and certification.

Originally there were 3,256 passengers on the cruise, but the cruise line said there are now 2,677 guests on the ship. Crew numbers remained the same at 1,161.

ALSO: Cruise ship slams into San Francisco’s Pier 27, thousands on board

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Guests had the option to cancel their cruise with a 100% refund and also receive a 50% credit towards a future voyage. Passengers who choose to continue their voyage on Ruby Princess will receive a 75% refund and 75% credit for a future voyage.

Katherine and Patrick Hanson, who remained on the ship, said the captain and crew handled the unprecedented situation perfectly.

The captain has been fantastic, keeping us step by step and making announcements,” said Katherine Hanson.

The Northern California couple said they decided to stay on the ship to enjoy what they can of the trip, which will be cut short.

“Let’s just roll with it, you only live once,” Katherine Hanson said. “It was an accident better to happen here than in the middle of the sea.”

The ship had struck the pier Thursday morning, causing a gash in its underside. Crews worked throughout the weekend to repair the hole ahead of Sunday’s departure.

The ship will stop in Ketchikan on July 12 and Prince Rupert on July 13 and return to San Francisco on July 16.

It was originally planned for a 10-day voyage, but it was cut short due to the damage.

The cause of the first crash remains under investigation by the US Coast Guard.