Cruise lines step up coronavirus screening measures, cancel trips, skip Chinese port calls
A week after MSC, Costa and Royal Caribbean canceled scheduled sailings to China as the deadly coronavirus continues to spread, other cruise lines have been updating their policies and itineraries.
The center of the outbreak is the city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have been passed from animals to humans in a food market. China has since banned travel from Wuhan and neighboring cities in the Hubei province to try to contain the virus.
As of Wednesday, the death toll has risen to 130 and scores of cases have been confirmed in more than a dozen other countries outside of China, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.
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However, cruise lines have swiftly reacted to the outbreak and started implementing their own precautions by canceling sailings and boosting screening procedures for passengers boarding from Chinese ports.
China has become an increasingly popular cruise destination in recent years, coupled with many lines deploying ships to serve the rapidly growing Chinese cruise market which has become the second-largest in the world after the U.S.
On Monday, the U.S. State Department raised its travel warning to Level 3, urging all Americans to avoid traveling to China unless their trip is essential. The move came days after it raised the travel warning for Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, to Level 4 (do not travel), its most severe advisory level.
Britain’s Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) also updated its travel advice, advising against all but essential travel to mainland China, and against all travel to Hubei Province.
Below, Cruise Critic has compiled a list of screening policies and itinerary updates from more than a dozen companies:
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APT
APT’s Paul Melinis, managing director for UK Europe, said: “No APT tours and river cruises pass through Wutan, with our China itineraries starting at the end of March. In the meantime, we are monitoring the situation closely through government travel advisories, the World Health Organization and our contacts within China. The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority. We expect to continue operating all our river cruise and tours to China as planned.”
Carnival and Princess
Carnival Corp. – which operates Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises – said in a statement that it has not yet made any changes to itineraries for those brands. (See below for updates on Costa, Cunard, Holland America and Seabourn, which are also operated by Carnival Corp.)
“Our medical experts are in touch with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organizations about any recommended screenings, monitoring and protocols for our ships, which may include temperature and questionnaire screening for cruises in certain geographies, questionnaires for residents and travelers visiting certain areas, and illness screening for cases presenting to our medical centers with fever and respiratory illness while onboard.”
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises issued the following statement: “We continue to monitor developments in the region and are in consultation with health officials to assess the situation. We have implemented precautionary measures at the terminal and onboard the ship to ensure the health and safety of our guests and crew.”
Costa Cruises
Costa canceled its Jan. 25 and 31 sailings on Costa Serena; the Jan. 27 and 31 departures on Costa Atlantica; the Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 sailings on Costa Venezia and the Jan. 25 and 30 and Feb. 2 cruises on Costa neoRomantica. Passengers are eligible for full refunds, or they can choose alternative sailing dates before the end of 2020 with $50 onboard credit.
When Costa Venezia docked in Shenzhen yesterday, the ship was boarded by a medical team who checked all 4,973 passengers and 1,249 crew for coronavirus symptoms. Local media reported that four were found to have high temperatures and 148 who came from Wuhan or who had visited the city recently were isolated for further screening.
In a statement, a Costa Cruises spokesperson said: “Costa Crociere is dedicated to the health and safety of all guests and crew. We are strictly monitoring the situation of the so-called ‘Wuhan Pneumonia’ which is causing concern among Public Health Authorities and the traveling public.
“The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are our absolute priority has increased health and safety measures as a matter of caution. The company adopts a specific protocol to help prevent the introduction and/or spread of any infectious diseases.”
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Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises posted the following statement on its website: “The health, security and safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority. In an abundance of caution, Crystal has instituted a variety of preventive measures as it relates to the new respiratory virus, called 2019-novel coronavirus.
“We have updated our pre-boarding public health questionnaire to include questions concerning the coronavirus. We will screen guests at the pier before they board for body temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and/or showing signs of respiratory issues. If guests are determined unwell to travel, they will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, if they do not have insurance.
“We will deny boarding of any person who has traveled to Hubei Province or Wuhan, China in the 14 days prior to embarkation, [and] we have canceled non-essential day visits to the ships when they are in port.
“As with any trip, travelers should check with public health authorities to be informed regarding health matters at the destinations they will visit, and exercise appropriate precautions. Crystal will continue to monitor the situation, closely working with the Cruise Lines International Association, health professionals and regulators around the world and will make any further adjustments to protocols as necessary.”
Cruise Critic board members Ryndam is currently sailing with Crystal on a cruise from San Diego to Hong Kong and says the ship has diverted: “The decision has been made to skip Hong Kong. The captain has advised us currently onboard that the alternative turn-around port will be announced as soon as it is positively confirmed by Crystal’s corporate headquarters.”
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Cunard Line
Cunard Line is also currently monitoring the situation. A line spokesperson told Cruise Critic: “We are working with and taking advice from the relevant authorities regarding the evolving situation with coronavirus. Should it be necessary to amend any ports of call in China for [Queen Mary 2] and [Queen Elizabeth] we will do so and advise guests as soon as possible. We will also advise of any associated logistical changes, for example, flights, hotels or tours.”
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Dream Cruise Line
Genting’s Dream Cruise Line canceled a turnaround call on Guangzhou for World Dream but will continue to operate from Hong Kong. Passengers have the option to cancel future cruises and receive full refunds.
“In view of the recent outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, Dream Cruises has been working closely with the China authorities in implementing various precautionary measures, and as part of our continuous initiative, kindly be advised that Dream Cruises will be not be calling into Guangzhou (Nansha) on Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, 2020. However, please note the arrival, boarding and departure arrangements in Hong Kong on the same day will remain as scheduled.
“Guests originally scheduled to embark from Guangzhou (Nansha) on Jan. 31 and Feb. 6 will have the option to change their cruise date or cancel their cruise with a full refund (paid cruise fare, port charges and Dream Cruises shore excursion). Please contact the original booking source for the necessary arrangements and on behalf of Dream Cruises, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and we thank you in advance for your kind understanding and support in light of these unforeseen circumstances.”
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Holland America Line
Holland America Line has changed the disembarkation port for its Westerdam sailing, departing Feb. 1. The voyage will depart from Hong Kong that day, as scheduled, but it will conclude in Yokohama (Tokyo) instead of Hong Kong on Feb. 15. The ship’s current sailing, which will conclude Feb. 1 in Hong Kong, is unaffected.
In a statement, the line said: “All guests and their travel advisors are being notified of these changes. Guests who have purchased their air through Holland America Line’s Flight Ease will have their return flights rebooked to depart from Tokyo, rather than Shanghai, at [the line’s] expense. Guests’ new homeward travel arrangements will be communicated shortly.
“Guests with independent travel arrangements should rebook their air to depart from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport or Narita Airport no earlier than 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15. Most airlines and hotels are allowing guests to change travel plans involving China with no penalty, but should you incur expenses related to adjusting your travel plans, we recommend you retain your receipts to support a claim with your travel insurance.
“Guests with Holland America Line post-cruise hotel arrangements in Shanghai will be refunded to the original form of payment.
“If any additional Westerdam sailings in Asia will be impacted, booked guests and their travel advisors will be notified as soon as it Is known.”
MSC Cruises
MSC has canceled its Jan. 28 cruise from Shanghai aboard MSC Splendida, and the ship will stay in the port.
A statement issued by the line said: “Due to urgent guidelines from the Chinese government to combat the spread of the coronavirus, MSC Cruises is required to cancel the upcoming cruise with MSC Splendida. Guests booked on this cruise have the option to receive a full refund of their cruise ticket and port charges, or book an alternative sailing with an equivalent price and receive additional onboard credit – with an embarkation date before the end of the year.
“At the time of writing, MSC Splendida is planned to remain in port for the duration of the cruise from January 28 to February 1.”
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian has introduced “non-touch” temperature screenings for all passengers embarking from Chinese ports. Cruisers who register a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or 38 degrees C or higher will not be allowed to board and will be directed to seek local medical treatment. In addition, passengers traveling from Wuhan or who have been in the city in the last 30 days will be denied boarding.
Regent Seven Seas
Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager is scheduled to visit Hong Kong on Feb. 28. There have been no changes to itineraries, according to a spokesman.
“The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority. As such, due to the growing concern regarding coronavirus infections in China, we are implementing non-touch temperature screenings for all guests embarking from Chinese ports. Guests who register a body temperature screening of 100.4℉ or 38℃ or higher and are embarking on a voyage in Hong Kong, will not be allowed to board. In addition, guests who have visited Wuhan, China or the Hubei Province in the last 30 days will not be allowed to board any of our ships.
“All guests will be instructed to complete a pre-embarkation health questionnaire. Guests who are considered high risk will be evaluated by local health authorities. As always, we will monitor the situation closely.”
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has canceled the Jan. 27 sailing from Shanghai to Japan and the next cruise on Jan. 31.
A spokesperson said: “In consultation with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and health authorities, we are implementing preventive measures for the health and safety of our guests and crew.
“The Spectrum of the Seas sailings, departing from Shanghai, China, on January 27 and 31, have been suspended, and guests will receive full refunds.
“Across our fleet, boarding will be denied to guests or crewmembers who have traveled to the Hubei Province in China. Any guests who have transited through other regions in China in the past 14 days will receive secondary medical screenings to determine sailing eligibility. We have temporarily postponed the return of crewmembers who reside in China.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation and have contingency plans in place to react as necessary.”
Seabourn
In light of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Level 3 travel warning to China issued January 27, 2020, Seabourn has canceled a scheduled Seabourn Ovation call on Xiamen, China, scheduled for February 3. Instead, the sailing will include a visit to Sandakan, Malaysia, on February 10.
Silversea
Silversea has not yet made any changes. The line’s Silver Spirit is due to arrive in Hong Kong from Bangkok on Feb. 15, at which time it is scheduled to depart on a 14-night Far East sailing.
“Our guests and crew are receiving enhanced health screenings before boarding,” the line said in a statement. “The health and safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. We are monitoring the situation closely together with health authorities, and our ships are prepared to take additional preventive measures as circumstances indicate.
“All passengers, independent from their nationality, are subject to increased health screenings by the local authorities, as well as the ship, following rigid and comprehensive protocols. All passengers passing the health screening will be allowed to join the ship. A notable exception to the above rule are guests [who are] resident[s of] or [who] hav[e] recently visited Hubei province. [They] will be denied boarding in an excess of precaution.
“Following the legislative steps by the Chinese Government aimed at stopping international FIT and Tour Operating traffic, we are not expecting too many passengers from mainland China to join our ships until this precaution [is] lifted by the Chinese authorities.”
Star Cruises
Asia-based Star Cruises has suspended the operation of SuperStar Gemini in Xiamen, China. All cruises since 27 January 2020 have been canceled until further notice. Guests booked on SuperStar Gemini have the option to change their cruise date or cancel with a full refund.
For its other ships, Star Cruises has suspended the boarding of passengers living in Wuhan and Hubei Province as well as their close contacts. Passengers who do not wish to travel due to the coronavirus outbreak are offered an unconditional refund.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and we thank you in advance for your kind understanding and support in light of these unforeseen circumstances,” the line said in a statement. “Star Cruises would like to reiterate that it maintains the highest preventative hygiene and sanitation standards onboard its fleet and is committed to safeguarding the health of all guests and crew.”
Tauck
Tauck’s Yangtze River itineraries also begin in April and the line said it is taking a “wait-and-see” attitude before making any decisions and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Uniworld
Uniworld’s China itineraries begin in April, and the line said it will continue to monitor developments.
Victoria Cruise Lines
Victoria Cruises, which operates three-, four- and seven-night itineraries on the Yangtze River, has canceled six sailings through Feb. 16, 2020. (The Yangtze season is typically late March to October. These were off-season winter sailings.)
“While operations have not been directly impacted by the situation in Wuhan – more than 500 miles away from the American-managed company’s Chongqing office – many passengers travel through transportation hubs which have been affected by proactive measures taken by the Chinese government, creating logistical difficulties,” the line said in a statement.
“Additionally, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a notification to companies in the tour sector requesting a temporary suspension of operations. As a result, Victoria Cruise Lines will cancel sailings through February 16, 2020, affecting six off-season winter departures.
“Victoria Cruise Lines will monitor the situation in the interim and continue to prioritize the safety and enjoyment of its valued guests.”
Viking Cruises
Viking River and Viking Ocean cruise lines are continuing to monitor the situation regarding future ocean and river cruises.
A spokesman said: “Viking does not have any river or ocean sailings scheduled to call in China until March 2020. We are monitoring the Wuhan coronavirus situation closely and will continue to do so in the coming weeks, heeding guidelines from the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our top priority; should we deem a sailing modification or other precaution is necessary, Viking Guest Services will communicate directly with any impacted guests and their travel agents about the change.”
Other lines are also monitoring the situation, and Cruise Critic will update this story with any developments as they are announced.
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