RCI-Royal Caribbean canceled two cruises to nowhere due to a crew COVID outbreak.
The move will affect clients who have bought tickets to sail on Quantum of the Seas on Monday (January 31) and Thursday (February 3).
The company had first announced the cancellations in e-mails to affected cruisers on Sunday morning. It said that a small number of crew members had tested positive for COVID.
RCI then said in a statement on Sunday afternoon that the voyages were canceled "in an abundance of caution". It said that less than 0.6% of its employees onboard the voyage had tested positive for COVID, without providing details of the number of people affected.
The cases (all fully vaccinated) had been identified during routine testing conducted by the line. They are onboard the voyage that had set sail on January 27.
RCI said the positive cases had been immediately isolated. All close contacts had been quarantined and tested. Everyone was asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic.
As per safety protocols, the cruise ship will also go through deep cleaning and disinfection.
Quantum OTS will sail back to Singapore on Monday, January 31, as scheduled.
Passengers booked on the canceled sailings will be offered compensation. Those due to sail on Monday will be able to receive a full refund plus a 100% credit for future bookings. Those booked on the Thursday voyage will receive a full refund or a 125% credit for future bookings.
For more Quantum of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.