Royal Caribbean pushes back start of Hong Kong cruises
Royal Caribbean is delaying the start of Hong Kong cruises due to strict vaccination and quarantine protocols imposed by the HK government.
It will lead to a delay of three months, it said.
New ship Spectrum of the Seas was due to start cruises to nowhere at the end of July but will now begin on 5 October.
"The whole cruise resumption preparation is a lengthy process, including quarantine and vaccinations for all crew members," a cruise line spokesperson told the South China Morning Post.
Crew are currently in the middle of vaccinations.
The ship will sail at half capacity and all crew and passengers must be fully vaccinated.
"Getting a cruise ship up and running again incurs a high costs for the operators because they have to transport sea crew members from all over the world, and have to meet the local Covid-19 restrictions as well," said Hong Kong tourism industry lawmaker Yiu Si-wing.
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