Cruise lines ban all Chinese passport holders
Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines are now banning anyone holding a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport from their ships regardless of whether they have recently visited China.
While most other cruise lines are stopping Chinese travellers from sailing if they were resident or travelled through China in the past two weeks, the lines are taking an extraordinary step in imposing a blanket ban.
"Any guests holding a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport, regardless of when they were there last, will not be allowed to board our ships," Royal Caribbean said.
This means even Chinese passport holders, who may be resident in another country and may not have been in Greater China for weeks or even months, are banned.
It leaves the companies open to accusations of discrimination.
Recent history suggests this is a move that could potentially damage the cruise lines’ business long term in Asia.
New York assemblyman Ron Kim called out the misinformation and abuse being suffered by Asians due to fear mongering over the coronavirus outbreak.
It comes as a Royal Caribbean ship that docked in Bayonne, New Jersey was delayed after a number of Chinese guests were tested and four were taken to hospital out of ‘an abundance of caution’.
None were found to have the coronavirus and three of the four actually had the flu.
However, earlier in the cruise, a Filipino crew member was found dead on the ship but law enforcement says it is almost certainly unrelated to the virus.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps