MIAMI — Royal Caribbean International announced on Friday it has canceled voyages on four ships because of “ongoing COVID-related circumstances around the world.” “In abundance of caution, Royal Caribbean International is pausing operations” on some ships, the company said in a statement. The cruise line said it moved forward with the cancellations despite its health and […]
Tag: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
U.S. Department of State Urges Americans To Avoid Travel To Aruba Due To COVID
ORANJESTAD — Federal authorities have urged U.S. citizens not to travel to the popular holiday destination of Aruba due to the number of COVID cases there. On January 4, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory stating that Aruba, had been issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice due to “a very high […]
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Cancel Voyages Amid Omicron Spread
MIAMI — Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line on Wednesday canceled sailings amid rising fears of omicron-related coronavirus infections that have dampened the nascent recovery of the pandemic-ravaged cruise industry. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. called off its Spectrum of the Seas cruise for January 6 after nine guests on its January 2 trip were identified […]
Puerto Rico Battles COVID-19 Surge, Imposes New Measures
SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico today imposed new measures to fight a surge in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed medical staff in the U.S. territory and led to temporary shortages of testing kits. All private businesses that cater to the public must close from midnight to 5 a.m., no alcohol will be sold during those […]
Vision of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas: Royal Caribbean’s ‘Plague Ships’
This past week, I received lots of information from both crew members and cruise guests that several Royal Caribbean cruise ships are transferring crew members, who test positive or are ill with COVID-19, to one of two idle ships in the fleet (Vision of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas) which are being operated as floating […]
Harmony of the Seas: Royal Caribbean’s Latest Super-Spreader-At-Sea Cruise
MIAMI — The Harmony of the Seas finally returned to its home port in Port Canaveral today after a disastrous week at sea. Royal Caribbean transferred over a hundred crew members, who tested positive for COVID-19, to the Vision of the Seas which the cruise line is using as a quarantine facility-at-sea and/or floating hospital. Based on dozens of […]
U.S. Virgin Islands Travelers Now Face Mandatory Quarantine In Illinois
CHICAGO — Illinois Health officials added the U.S. Virgin Islands and two mainland states to the Chicago travel advisory list this week. The designation means that all travelers coming from the territory, Louisiana and South Carolina must self-quarantine upon arrival in Illinois. As of January 1, 2022, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John had […]
Celebrity Equinox Cancels Christmas Day Visit To St. Croix; Picks St. Thomas Instead
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — If the Celebrity Equinox had its druthers, it would prefer to visit St. Thomas instead of St. Croix tomorrow. And with the full weight and power of the Royal Caribbean Group — which owns the Equinox — it does have its druthers. The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) buried the lead this […]
COVID-Plagued RCG Cruise Ship Symphony Of The Seas Docked In St. Thomas
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — At least 48 people have tested positive for the coronavirus on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas cruise ship that docked in St. Thomas on Wednesday, the company said, as the omicron variant continues to spread around the world. The sprawling ship, which boasts a nightclub and theater, left Miami on December 11 for […]
No Test Required For Travel From USVI To The United States Mainland
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — As the world responds to new vaccination and testing requirements before boarding an international flight to the United States, officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands are reminding the traveling public that the new rules do not apply to direct travel from the USVI to the U.S. mainland. Commissioner clarifies new travel policies “While international […]