Royal Caribbean cancels cruise sailings on Jan 31 and Feb 3 after Covid-19 outbreak

[SINGAPORE] Cruise operator Royal Caribbean International has cancelled its next 2 cruises to nowhere, after it detected Covid-19 cases among its crew.

This move will affect customers who have bought tickets to sail on the Quantum of the Seas on Monday (Jan 31) and Thursday (Feb 3).

It first announced the cancellations in emails to affected customers on Sunday morning (Jan 30).

It said that a small number of crew had tested positive for Covid-19, and that has triggered the cancellation of the cruises in line with government regulations.

The operator then said in a media statement on Sunday afternoon that the cruises were cancelled "in an abundance of caution".

It said less than 0.6 per cent of its community on board the ship had tested positive, without providing specific details of the number of people affected.

The cases, which are all fully vaccinated, were identified during routine weekly testing conducted by the operator. They were on board the cruise that had set sail last Thursday (Jan 27).

The operator said the positive cases were immediately isolated. Meanwhile, close contacts were quarantined and tested. "Everyone is asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic," it said. "As per safety protocols, the ship will also go through a deep cleaning and disinfection."

Quantum of the Seas was supposed to return to Singapore on Monday, but it did not elaborate on what would happen to passengers currently on board the ship.

Customers booked on the Jan 31 and Feb 3 sailings will be offered compensation in the light of the cancellations.

Those scheduled to sail on Jan 31 will receive a full refund plus a 100 per cent credit for future bookings. Those booked on the Feb 3 sailing will receive a full refund or a 125 per cent credit for future cruise bookings.

"We regret having to cancel our guests' long-awaited vacations, and appreciate their loyalty and understanding," said Royal Caribbean International. THE STRAITS TIMES