Cruise line response to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak gathered momentum today as itineraries in Asia were amended and in some cases scrapped altogether.
With China blocked to cruise ships, and tourists in general, as the authorities battle to contain the outbreak, cruise lines found themselves with little alternative but to change current and forthcoming itineraries in the region.
- For MSC Bellissima’s forthcoming 28-night Grand Voyage sailing from the Gulf to Asia on 21 March, MSC has cancelled port visits to Shenzhen, mainland China; Hong Kong; and Keelung, Taiwan.
Instead the ship, top of page, will visit Laem Chabang/Bangkok, Thailand; Phu My/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; as well as an extra day in Kobe, Japan.
In a statement, MSC said: “To protect the health and safety of its guests and crew globally, MSC Cruises began on January 24 a series of precautionary actions across its fleet with respect to the novel coronavirus that originated in China.
“While there are no cases of coronavirus on board any of MSC Cruises’ ships these measures are additional steps to secure the health and well-being of all guests and crew.”
MSC Cruises is offering guests booked on the cruise the option to cancel.
Sapphire Princess’s Asia season has been cancelled and instead she will spend an extra six months Down Under
- Princess Cruises announced that it was scrapping Sapphire Princess‘s scheduled Asia season from May-October and adding an extra six months to her Australia and New Zealand season. The ship will now arrive in Australia on 1 May, adding a total of 47 new cruises from five major Australian cities to the season.
Meanwhile, Princess Cruises said it hoped to return Diamond Princess, currently quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, to service on 29 April.
- AIDA Cruises announced that it had halted its Asia program on AIDAbella and AIDAvita with immediate effect, blaming increased travel restrictions due to coronavirus.
- The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) cut cruise ship port charges by 50 per cent to help cruise operators who are suffering from a fall in passenger numbers.