RCI-Royal Caribbean announced on Friday, January 7, that it would pause operations on multiple liners due to COVID concerns, canceling some voyages and postponing one ship's restart.
In a statement shared by RCI's spokesperson Lyan Sierra-Caro, the company said:
"Despite stringent health and safety measures, including vaccination and testing requirements for guests and crew, and extensive contingency planning, we have had to move forward with this decision."
4 ships have been impacted by the halt:
- Vision of the Seas (being used to quarantine COVID-positive crew) has had her return to cruising postponed until March 7.
- Serenade of the Seas cruises between January 8-March 5 are canceled. The ship will restart service on April 26 after drydock refurbishment.
- Jewel of the Seas sailings between January 9-February 12 are canceled and the ship will return to service on February 20.
- Symphony of the Seas sailings between January 8-January 22 are canceled and the ship will return to service on January 29.
Guests who booked sailings on those liners will have "compensation options", of which a full refund.
While most voyages still have not been canceled, the USA's CDC agency advised against cruising last week. It noted the decision had been made as COVID cases on ships were increasing, in the USA and around the world.
Some of RCI's ships, including Symphony of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas, faced Coronavirus outbreaks in recent weeks.