Royal Caribbean International is postponing the inaugural voyage of its newest cruise ship after eight crew members received positive COVID-19 test results in routine tests.
The Odyssey of the Seas The first departures that the shipping company had planned as six- and eight-night cruises to the southern and western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from July 3 to July 31, will be according to a. Postponed out of caution Facebook post by the President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, Michael Bayley. A test drive The departure originally planned for the end of June has also been postponed.
Those who planned to sail the ship “will be notified and given several options to consider,” Bayley said.
Ready to set sail? Royal Caribbean announces summer cruises from ports in Texas, Florida
All of the Odyssey’s 1,400 crew members were vaccinated on June 4th, but the positive cases were found before the vaccines were considered fully effective on June 18th.
Of the eight crew members who tested positive, six are asymptomatic and two have mild symptoms. They have all been quarantined and are being monitored by the Royal Caribbean medical team, Bayley said. All crew members will be quarantined for 14 days and the cruise line plans to continue routine testing.
“While this is disappointing, it is the right decision for the health and wellbeing of our crew and our guests,” Bayley said in the post.
The ship was originally set for an inaugural voyage from Haifa, Israel, on June 2, which has been canceled because of riots in the region.
Seven other ships from Royal Caribbean are should set sail from ports in Texas, Florida and Seattle this summer.
A full vaccination is “highly recommended” for passengers on most Royal Caribbean cruises, and those who are not vaccinated or cannot verify their vaccinations must undergo tests and follow other protocols.
Those 16 years and older on board ships to Alaska in July must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The age requirement will drop to 12 years from August 1st.
