500+ Russian tourists remained aboard Spectrum of the Seas in Yokohama (Japan), awaiting clearance to depart for home, according to the Russian Embassy in Japan. The RCI-Royal Caribbean vessel, with a capacity of ~3,500 passengers, was docked on Thursday (November 7th) due to an engine malfunction that delayed her scheduled return to Shanghai.
The Russian Embassy reported that 538 Russian passengers were aboard with expired transit visas. Embassy officials have been in prompt communication with Japan’s immigration services, who have indicated a willingness to facilitate the departure of these passengers pending official arrangements by Royal Caribbean.
Japanese authorities have conditionally approved a transit route, allowing the Russian travelers to fly from Tokyo to Shanghai before continuing on to Russia, once Royal Caribbean submits a formal request. Meanwhile, the Russian Union of Travel Industry, through the travel agency CruClub, has conveyed optimism that Japanese authorities may provide visa-free travel for the stranded passengers.
Spectrum of the Seas, among Asia’s largest cruise vessels, had embarked on a 7-night round-trip voyage from Shanghai to Japan. The engine issue extended the ship’s return from November 9th to November 11th, pending repairs.
For more Spectrum of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.