THE STRAITS TIMES – Cruise operator Royal Caribbean International has cancelled its next two 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 ship today and Thursday.
It had first announced the cancellations in emails to affected customers yesterday morning.
It said that a small number of crew had tested positive for COVID-19, and that it has triggered the cancellation of the cruises in line with government regulations.
The operator then said in a media statement yesterday 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 cruise 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 are on board the cruise that had set sail last Thursday.
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 today, but it did not elaborate on what would happen to passengers currently on board the ship.
PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
